Republicans leaders (that would be Rush Limbaugh) want their wingnuts to believe that under Bush, the Republican Party "lost it's way". But it's not true.
Yes this isn't news to Kos readers - but I do believe there is an actionable approach to wing-nuttery to be had here. So join me under the fold...
When a Republican says "We lost our way", the impulse is to disarm. Who can't appreciate a Republican with a modicum of self-reflection? But it's a distraction. For them.
So the party of fiscal conservatism and small government wandered slightly off course during the Bush years, and, though headed to the store for milk, somehow found itself munching on a sandwich at a way station out on the Antarctic Peninsula.
They struggled a bit with the map.
And it's tempting to agree with them. These days a "lost Republican" just viscerally makes sense. It has the ring of truth about it. But the temptation should be resisted because it's never been true. Chuck Todd said it well on MSNBC yesterday morning. Paraphrasing:
Republicans know they have gotten away from their small government roots over the last 8 years, and they are looking to get back to the days of Reagan. What small government roots? Reagan loved to bash government, but he didn’t rein it in, he spent like mad on the programs he preferred (e.g. the military) and irresponsibly left a deficit for his successors to deal with.
Or try these:
Why Fiscal Conservatives Shouldn’t Vote Republican -By Jon Stonger
http://www.hereticalideas.com/...
What happens to federal spending when the Democrats control both Congress and the presidency?
http://www.reason.com/...
This time (Rush blathers to those bunker-ed down all Gollum-like in their echo-sphere caves) we really really really really must and will do what we say. It is not only desirable to choke this government in a bathtub, it really really really is politically feasible. And it's good for you. Especially when the private economy collapses. Lets do it! Come on Charlie Brown, try and kick that field goal again! Invest in this! And as God is my witness, this time I will hold this football rock steady for you!
Lets be clear: Republicans did not lose their way. The Bush transfer-of-payments-upward orgy was not an aberration. The Republicans hit the same big spending trail they've always hit, only harder, and more obviously, than ever before.
And because this Republican "two-selves" deformity became so outrageously grotesque during the Bush fiasco, they're currently undergoing an orgy of purification.
It's why a radio host, who's "whole thing" is "ugly" and "incendiary" "entertainment" (according to the far radical left Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee*) is DE-facto leader of an actual, formerly great American political party.
But what can be done with this?
I suspect that if the true believers, the ones who actually do want to drown government in a bathtub, were made to realize the appeal to their anger is just another way for the right to rally a ready-assembled ethos to ends that do not benefit them (are you listening fundamentalists?), it might work wonders on their bombast.
That's why, if ever again seated next to a National Review reading wingnut aboard an airplane, I plan on saying something like:
"Believe me, I'm with you. But how will we ensure we are not gang-raped and made fools of again by our own leadership? You know, I've been doing a little research, and it turns out it wasn't just Bush who..."
Or:
"Preacher, meet choir. What made you feel worse, the fact that our own party fucked us again, or that the jamboree of spending ended up in the hands of private-jet setting cronies, while we sit here seething on this commercial flight..."
Continuing on:
"Yes, that's right, I did say 'again'. Because you see it turns out that this has been going on for quite some..."
This can be done at parties.
Personally, I'm on a mission to drive this point right the fuck home, to the extent that I am able.
The GOP Mis-Labeling Act of 2009 shouldn't pass with their constituency. It's fundamental to their recovery. And the truth should count for something as well.
*In fairness to Michael Steele, his statement has been retracted.