WHAT'S A REPUBLICAN TO DO
An advantage of a life in journalism is friends from every political persuasion. My Republican friends have been singing the blues, but one fellow in particular says the party is likely to be locked out of the White House for many years. I'm not so sure of that, but I agree that some of the self loathing is on target.
Recent polls show most Americans blame Republicans for the self imposed flagellation called a fiscal cliff. Business people worry the Republicans will refuse to budge and will be the reason for another recession. The sequestration mean massive cuts to defense spending, some of which could have negative impact on national security. He says the party will be blamed for that.
My friend believes the public impression is that Republicans are sore losers. President Obama's re election validated his economic view of the future. He notes that before the election the Fox News Analysts were predicting a Romney "landslide." Ironically the numbers they cited were less than the Obama "mandate" in both popular and electoral college votes. He also talks about the "Fox effect."
The Fox News right of center tilt and punditry post, amplifies everything. The Republican and Fox position was rejected by a majority of Americans, but they appear to be unable to bend to the will of the majority and accept defeat.
What about all of the Republicans returned to the house where they maintain a majority I asked? First he said, the House is a "joke" populated by "dimwits" and "bull shit artists" of both parties. As for the double message of an Obama win and a re-election of a Republican majority- some of that is just the way districts are drawn but "even the biggest fool should understand that." Or he adds, "it's like the voters say we like you and what you've done for us, but pay attention to the big picture."
I've noticed that he and a handful of other long time-I call them centrist Republicans-are not against changes in our tax code.
We are at the lowest tax rate in decades. Back when the rate was higher "people were still making money, corporations were earning, investments were being made."
I asked him about who the Republican constituency is or should be.
"That's the trouble. We don't have one. Being the lap dog for the richest percentage of Americans won't work any more. We need a connection with real working Americans. And we need to quit watching Fox News."
And I would add to that tell Grover Norquist to take a long walk off a short pier.
DAY FILE
HINT OF IMPRESSIONISM
See you down the trail.
