On 2011-01-16, at 11:21 AM, Lakshmi Rhone wrote: > Marv, this is too simple; the RP will use anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant, > pro-gun libertarianism when it suits it, and the Tea Party candidates will be > brought into fold.
No one is saying the Republicans are not to the right of the Democrats on these issues, but they understand the need to exploit these issues in a more subtle way than the xenophobic crazies in their party. You will not see Boehner and McConnell appearing at media events wearing camouflage and carrying AK47's anytime soon. They are already trying to project a more moderate image by adapting to Obama's overtures for dialogue and compromise, particularly in the wake of the Tucson shooting which has made the public more susceptible to such calls and raised Obama's standing. The Democrats, for their part, have been loath to challenge the Republicans on the anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant, and gun control issues, and their differences are not so wide that they could not be reconciled in congressional legislation. The corporations, where power ultimately resides, have more pressing concerns than these social issues splitting the working class. They want to see cuts in Social Security and other government social programs and further cost-saving loopholes incorporated in the already feeble financial and healthcare legislation passed in the last session. They expect the Democrat and Republican leaderships will dutifully place these issues at the forefront of the congressional agenda and to find common ground on them. > It’s stupid to criticize the calls for civility without expressing agreement > with the person who originated the calls, Dupnik. Huh? > What can contribute to self-organization is frank recognition of the problems > posed by the constituencies activated by the Republican Party for its votes > and an all out criticism of their racist rhetoric in the name of civility. While the tea party movement should be criticized for what it represents, we disagree on the imminent danger which it poses and that the Republican leadership is beholden to it. And as others have pointed out, a panic-stricken singleminded focus on this purported danger binds the Democratic base closer to the Democratic leadership when the interests of the various constituencies which compose the party's base require distance from the party leadership and struggle against its political direction - wherever that may take it. _______________________________________________ pen-l mailing list [email protected] https://lists.csuchico.edu/mailman/listinfo/pen-l
