Adam Weinberg
Goldwater Republican
The previous thread related to whether the GOP was returning to its roots prompted me to write this. A little long, I admit, but perhaps it will go somewhere productive.
We all mostly know this, but I want to reiterate and offer for discussion the point that the Republican Party at this time does not have a sustainable coalition for the next generation. For some people in this community, that is certainly all well and good because it suggests an easy road to victory for the Democratic Party and perhaps a new permanent majority in the years to come.
As I've said before, I believe the left's approach on economic issues within their political leadership prevents open and honest discussion on the proper roles and limitations of what government can and should do, and what they will be able to reasonably accomplish without unintended consequences.
They are just as ready to pull the patriotism and humanity out from under anyone who may disagree with them as the previous administration was with critics of foreign policy and incursions on civil liberties.
The new attacks of "capitalism failed" and "you want to do nothing" are no different than "the world changed after 9/11" and "you want the terrorists to win". They are completely untrue statements but sufficient to distract the public for a short while from asking the important questions in large enough numbers that they may slow the growth of special-interest run government.
So, for those who do think economy in government must once against become a priority, and that the political advantage taken from the economic crisis could become a threat to our constitutional liberties as easily as the political advantage taken from 9/11, this imbalance in the two party system is of great concern.
Don't get me wrong, I think almost all of us are glad that the scum got scrubbed out in November. It's a testament to the strength of our system that inevitably everyone's days in power are numbered. But given that this government is inaugurated even sooner in crisis than the last, it won't be long before we are all fatigued again.
That's why I think the Republican Party had better hurry up and get over its outdated understanding of who they can stand to represent and what this country is about in the 21st century.
As I said not too long ago, I do think John Murtha told the truth in the most recent election, offensive as it may be to do that in this day and age. I also think Howard Dean told the truth when he said the Republican Party is pretty much a white, Christian party. And that's what the Republican Party thinks of itself as well, whether they would articulate it or not to the rest of the public.
Forget about the new RNC Chairman. Historic as it may be, it really doesn't address a core problem for the party. The GOP won't have problems attracting candidates and leaders of color and different creeds and lifestyles in the future. That will be a given because it is a major party and different leaders will become prominent in different states with different demographics.
The real question will be whether the GOP will have the proper demeanor to attract grassroots leaders and activists from diverse backgrounds, who can build relationships with voters in those communities.
Without it, it is doubtful the party can survive in the future as anything but a permanent minority with limited mandates if it ever does have major election wins again.
I found it very confusing that there was so much talk in the last election of whether Jewish voters would defect from Obama and choose McCain instead. Republicans hoped sincerely they had a point of attack by which to win Florida all legitimate-like.
The truth is, Jewish voters do not vote solely on Israel (though it certainly influences them). If my anecdotal observations can amount to anything, I would say the general discomfort of some older Jewish voters with Obama had far less to do with Israel than it did the color of his skin.
As we saw, the GOP was foolish to think it had even a slight opportunity with the Jewish vote, even if some old racist bubbies and zaidies didn't vote for Obama. Even in that event, what is the permanent gain for their mission?
Being a Jewish voter who votes Republican, in the vast majority of cases, is not an act of conscience for conservative values- it's a protest vote. Will these same people support and see eye to eye with your policies when you enter office, or will they return to their roots soon thereafter?
Being an actual Jewish Republican though, as I can attest to, is an act of extreme willpower and requires a great deal of tolerance, not only for the misunderstandings of other Jews, but for the misunderstandings of the GOP. The Republicans in many corners lack the grace to temper their white Christian trappings for those who make sacrifices to play politics with white Christian people.
Long story short- they don't know nothin' when it comes to Jews, much less anybody else.
The GOP itself has a deficit of social tolerance that is preventing it from growing, and in fact, is shrinking the party as the population diversifies.
The Republican Party in its current state relies too greatly on resentment, rather than admiration and inspiration, to motivate its voters. More voters are looking for solutions to their own problems in their community than worrying day and night about the sins and failings of other communities. Resentment closes doors and prevents solutions from being found. It creates exclusivity and reduces the network of people in which you can interface.
If my ethno-religious group is a desired voting bloc, then what about the rest of the country?
Why then would they not work for the Muslim vote? Or the gay vote? Or even more broadly speaking, the youth vote, which is very clearly slanted to the Democrats?
There are certainly more gays in the United States than Jews. And there are nearly as many Muslims as Jews. As well, there are just as many people who do not believe, as indicated by the new President's inaugural address, as there are Jews in the United States.
Yet consistently we see indicators from the GOP that it considers all of these groups in some way to be antithetical to their established values of what constitutes a proper society, no matter how closely their political and economic values could potentially be in alignment, and no matter how long these groups have existed in the fabric of our nation.
We all mostly know this, but I want to reiterate and offer for discussion the point that the Republican Party at this time does not have a sustainable coalition for the next generation. For some people in this community, that is certainly all well and good because it suggests an easy road to victory for the Democratic Party and perhaps a new permanent majority in the years to come.
As I've said before, I believe the left's approach on economic issues within their political leadership prevents open and honest discussion on the proper roles and limitations of what government can and should do, and what they will be able to reasonably accomplish without unintended consequences.
They are just as ready to pull the patriotism and humanity out from under anyone who may disagree with them as the previous administration was with critics of foreign policy and incursions on civil liberties.
The new attacks of "capitalism failed" and "you want to do nothing" are no different than "the world changed after 9/11" and "you want the terrorists to win". They are completely untrue statements but sufficient to distract the public for a short while from asking the important questions in large enough numbers that they may slow the growth of special-interest run government.
So, for those who do think economy in government must once against become a priority, and that the political advantage taken from the economic crisis could become a threat to our constitutional liberties as easily as the political advantage taken from 9/11, this imbalance in the two party system is of great concern.
Don't get me wrong, I think almost all of us are glad that the scum got scrubbed out in November. It's a testament to the strength of our system that inevitably everyone's days in power are numbered. But given that this government is inaugurated even sooner in crisis than the last, it won't be long before we are all fatigued again.
That's why I think the Republican Party had better hurry up and get over its outdated understanding of who they can stand to represent and what this country is about in the 21st century.
As I said not too long ago, I do think John Murtha told the truth in the most recent election, offensive as it may be to do that in this day and age. I also think Howard Dean told the truth when he said the Republican Party is pretty much a white, Christian party. And that's what the Republican Party thinks of itself as well, whether they would articulate it or not to the rest of the public.
Forget about the new RNC Chairman. Historic as it may be, it really doesn't address a core problem for the party. The GOP won't have problems attracting candidates and leaders of color and different creeds and lifestyles in the future. That will be a given because it is a major party and different leaders will become prominent in different states with different demographics.
The real question will be whether the GOP will have the proper demeanor to attract grassroots leaders and activists from diverse backgrounds, who can build relationships with voters in those communities.
Without it, it is doubtful the party can survive in the future as anything but a permanent minority with limited mandates if it ever does have major election wins again.
I found it very confusing that there was so much talk in the last election of whether Jewish voters would defect from Obama and choose McCain instead. Republicans hoped sincerely they had a point of attack by which to win Florida all legitimate-like.
The truth is, Jewish voters do not vote solely on Israel (though it certainly influences them). If my anecdotal observations can amount to anything, I would say the general discomfort of some older Jewish voters with Obama had far less to do with Israel than it did the color of his skin.
As we saw, the GOP was foolish to think it had even a slight opportunity with the Jewish vote, even if some old racist bubbies and zaidies didn't vote for Obama. Even in that event, what is the permanent gain for their mission?
Being a Jewish voter who votes Republican, in the vast majority of cases, is not an act of conscience for conservative values- it's a protest vote. Will these same people support and see eye to eye with your policies when you enter office, or will they return to their roots soon thereafter?
Being an actual Jewish Republican though, as I can attest to, is an act of extreme willpower and requires a great deal of tolerance, not only for the misunderstandings of other Jews, but for the misunderstandings of the GOP. The Republicans in many corners lack the grace to temper their white Christian trappings for those who make sacrifices to play politics with white Christian people.
Long story short- they don't know nothin' when it comes to Jews, much less anybody else.
The GOP itself has a deficit of social tolerance that is preventing it from growing, and in fact, is shrinking the party as the population diversifies.
The Republican Party in its current state relies too greatly on resentment, rather than admiration and inspiration, to motivate its voters. More voters are looking for solutions to their own problems in their community than worrying day and night about the sins and failings of other communities. Resentment closes doors and prevents solutions from being found. It creates exclusivity and reduces the network of people in which you can interface.
If my ethno-religious group is a desired voting bloc, then what about the rest of the country?
Why then would they not work for the Muslim vote? Or the gay vote? Or even more broadly speaking, the youth vote, which is very clearly slanted to the Democrats?
There are certainly more gays in the United States than Jews. And there are nearly as many Muslims as Jews. As well, there are just as many people who do not believe, as indicated by the new President's inaugural address, as there are Jews in the United States.
Yet consistently we see indicators from the GOP that it considers all of these groups in some way to be antithetical to their established values of what constitutes a proper society, no matter how closely their political and economic values could potentially be in alignment, and no matter how long these groups have existed in the fabric of our nation.
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