Monday, April 30, 2012

Two to tango?

No, in fact, gridlock and extremism are not bipartisan problems in search of bipartisan solutions.

Today, however, we have no choice but to acknowledge that the core of the problem lies with the Republican Party.

The GOP has become an insurgent outlier in American politics. It is ideologically extreme; scornful of compromise; unmoved by conventional understanding of facts, evidence and science; and dismissive of the legitimacy of its political opposition.

When one party moves this far from the mainstream, it makes it nearly impossible for the political system to deal constructively with the country’s challenges.

“Both sides do it” or “There is plenty of blame to go around” are the traditional refuges for an American news media intent on proving its lack of bias, while political scientists prefer generality and neutrality when discussing partisan polarization. Many self-styled bipartisan groups, in their search for common ground, propose solutions that move both sides to the center, a strategy that is simply untenable when one side is so far out of reach.

It is clear that the center of gravity in the Republican Party has shifted sharply to the right. Its once-legendary moderate and center-right legislators in the House and the Senate — think Bob Michel, Mickey Edwards, John Danforth, Chuck Hagel — are virtually extinct.
I've been saying this for years. It's no more true now that the Washington establishment is finally getting its head out of its ass. But it's very welcome nonetheless.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Outlier? Biggest sweep into power in history in Nov 2010. Time to look for you hat...it's impacting your bowels.
Fly

lovable liberal said...

Don't worry, I won't be spouting bullshit out of my mouth the way you do.

Anonymous said...

"scornful of compromise" you say...it's BECAUSE of compromise with you libs that this nation is on the decline. You are certifiable!

lovable liberal said...

Something I emailed a friend today seems apt: The Teapublicans will kill America to save her. Then they'll blame liberalcommiefascistsocialistgayagendabadbadevilsecularhumanists for all the damage.

Anonymous said...

At least she'll be saved

Oh, torched you! ...Fly