The Republican Party - Is it becoming irrelevant?

As I have stated before, I am not a Democrat nor am I a Republican. Although I have libertarian leanings, I believe that once a libertarian joins a political party, he becomes his own enemy. I am an independent in the true sense – I depend on no party to dictate my philosophy.

I watched for the last 30 years as the Democratic Party made itself irrelevant in the south. It began when Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights bill in 1964. Richard Nixon seized on it and the Republicans and Democrats basically made a trade. The Republicans got the Democratic South and the Democrats got the solidly Republican black vote.

Ironically, the Democrats made themselves irrelevant in the south (so far as national elections go), and now the Republicans are making themselves irrelevant in the rest of the country.

Look at the numbers: 30% of voters will vote Republican no matter what. Ditto for the Democrats. That leaves a broad 40% section of the country who will decide elections based on the people running and their confidence in those people.

Republicans ‘got it’ for a while. During the Reagan years they picked up a lot of popularity. In 1994 Newt Gingrich and his Contract with America swept the congress. This led to the election of George W. Bush in 2000, along with majorities in congress.

That’s when they stopped getting it. In 8 years The Republican President and Congress doubled the national debt, something they admirably kept under control when Bill Clinton was President.

Republicans, who are self-styled guardians of our constitutional rights, gave the Bush administration carte-blanche on legislation that invaded those rights. Of course, the shoe is on the other foot now and some are re-thinking their beliefs. Too late, the cow is out of the barn. If you ever concede protections (habeas corpus, search and seizure, etc.) to the government in the name of security, you have paid with your liberty.

Don’t look for a Democratic administration to ‘undo’ any of this – they love it. Just as the Republicans did, they will cite ‘national security’. As Benjamin Franklin said, if you give up your liberty for security, you deserve neither.

The unholy alliance between the Republican Party and the religious fundamentalists is becoming unraveled. That is a good thing, as this was a deal with the devil on both sides. It resulted in a political mantra of ‘family values’ from the party. The problem is, the people (those who are not blinded by party), understand that the definition of true family values is that you value your family. You don’t have to endorse one political ideology over another to do this.

The Republicans loved ‘family values’ as long as it got them votes; when push came to shove, however, they failed to live up to the brand they had adopted.

Only in the case of Congressman Mark Foley did the party demand, and get, a resignation. This was because in addition to liking boys, he liked underage boys.

Senator Larry ‘Toe Tapping’ Craig served out his sentence term. In the cases of Senators Vitter and Ensign and Governor Sanford, the party has suddenly developed some libertarian feelings, claiming that it’s none of our business what they do. Very few have called for these sleazebags (that’s what they are) to step down.

David Vitter is raising huge amounts of money and will probably be re-elected with the help of the Louisiana Republican machine. The fates of Ensign and Sanford remain up in the air.

Yes, I get it, Democrats aren’t pure either. I am aware of Bill Clinton, Gary Condit and Barney Frank. The difference is, they have not assumed the mantle of moral superiority that the Republicans have. Yes, Democrats are big spenders and believe in government solutions. That is their brand, and they live up to it. At least they are honest.

As to the Republicans, they have one goal – to gain power at all costs. What they just don’t seem to get is that the broad range of people around the country just aren’t buying it. (Louisiana is somewhat an exception, as we tend to love our crooks, adulterers and whoremongers.)

The people have heard the cries of ‘small government, lower taxes’ and ‘family values’ from the GOP while they spend like drunken sailors and some of their leaders display the morals of jackals – with impunity. The people aren’t as stupid as Washington thinks they are; they understand that taxation is not the problem, spending is. The people also believe that if you claim to be the party of prudence, constitutional protections and pure values, you should live up to it. Otherwise, they will continue to elect the other guys – the ones who don’t claim those things. Why? Because they are not saying one thing in order to get elected and then doing another when they gain power.

The Young Republicans have just elected Audra Shay as national chair. Audra was the center of controversy last week when her facebook remarks came to light. When a commenter said something about getting rid of these 'mad coons and illegals', Audra replied 'You go Eric. lol.'. Sure sounds like she was endorsing a racial slur to me. She doesn't get it, neither do the Young Republicans who elected her.

The old adage ‘fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me’ seems to apply here. The people were fooled by the Republicans in the last decade. If Republicans are able to make gains in the next few years, they had better live up to what they profess, because this is probably their last chance.

A few blogs you may enjoy

I link to a lot of blogs of all different political persuasions. I also link to blogs that are just funny and outrageous. My criteria in linking is whether or not I believe that the readers of My Bossier would enjoy some of these blogs.
Most of the blogs I link to are in Louisiana. I may look at including more national sites.
Mostly Cajun, All American and Opinionated gives us zen teachings and Laws. I really like this blog. This guy can be cranky and is somewhat a smartass. Sorta reminds me of . . . . me. Suspect Device believes that most U. S. Senators are assholes. That’s hard to disagree with.
The Louisiana Conservative is lamenting Obama’s Cruel and Unjust War.
I encourage you to read Margaret and Helen. That really is them in the picture in the header of the blog. If you are conservative, they will probably offend your sensibilities.
Todd bucks the local blogosphere and speaks out with his views on healthcare. Don’t miss Gerry May, the news anchor at KTBS in Shreveport. Gerry has a very active bunch of commenters.
Kiss My Gumbo is written by Greta Perry, the self-styled Princess of Positive. She’s a hoot. Your Right Hand Thief comments on the election of Audra Shay as chair of the Young Republicans.
Conservative Drink has received a lot of national attention after producing tapes of Shreveport Mayor Cedric Glover telling a citizen that when the police stop you, your rights are suspended. Conservatism in Exile comments on that issue.
There is something in the water in Alexandria that produces prolific bloggers. Some of them get a little cross with each other at times, but I think that only improves their product. Check out We Saw That, Alex Cenla's Rants & Ravings, Central La. Politics and Cenlamar.
Stuff Cajun People Like is self explanatory.
Bayou Perspective is written by Josh Delano, a Louisiana native who is attending school in Houston. Josh appears on Jeff Crouere’s radio show in New Orleans on a regular basis.
The Norla Blog and The Old River Road are on vacation. They are apparently smarter than the rest of us.
For some reflection and inspiration, check out My God's Been Good.
Last, but not at all least, is our friend across the river, Pat Austin at And So it goes in Shreveport, from whom I shamelessly stole this idea of a roundup of blogs and blog news.

Mad Coons, Audra Shay and the Young Republicans. LOL.

Correction: The election was today (Saturday). Audra Shay won by a vote of 470-415.

I'm not young and I'm not a Republican, but I'll jump in anyway. When the two major political parties, whom I disdain, are not fighting with each other they seem to fighting with themselves. We should have heeded the advice of George Washington, who said in his farewell address:
Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind, (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely
out of sight,) the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the
interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it.
It serves always to distract the Public Councils, and enfeeble the Public Administration. It agitates
the Community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms; kindles the animosity of one partagainst another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection.
But we didn't listen and this post isn't about that, so I will not get on my soapbox.
Audra Shay of New Orleans has been considered a shoo-in for election as president of the Young Republicans. A 'young' Republican is anyone aged 18-40. Democrats stop being young when they are 36.
One of her stands has been that the party should embrace all technology and the internet to reach everyone possible. Personally, she has reached out and the results have not been stellar.
Audra got into a discussion on Facebook in which a commenter said:
“Obama Bin Lauden [sic] is the new terrorist… Muslim is on there side [sic]… need to take this country back from all of these mad coons… and illegals...”
To which she replied:
“You tell em Eric! lol.”
A couple of Republican friends called her out and questioned the exchange. She deleted them from her Facebook friends. Now it is impossible to find Audra anywhere on the social networks, as she is apparently attempting to clean up those little internet footprints.
That exchange and some cute noose talk have given pause to many. One state delegation has asked her to withdraw. She has a lot of powerful support, however, including our own Bobby Jindal and Congressmen Steve Scalise, Bill Cassidy and Joseph Cao.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out tomorrow.

You can find more details on the exchanges at The Conservatist and at The Guardian.

Pelosi says forever ends now - nixes resolution honoring Michael Jackson

At Michael Jackson's memorial service in Los Angeles, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Tx) held up a framed copy of her House Resolution, emossed with a gold seal, saying that it would honor Michael Jackson 'forever, and forever, and forever'.
Forever was cut short by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi who decided that the resolution will not get consideration in the House.
"If the idea is to praise the life and work ... then why not do that [in some other way]?" Pelosi said. "A resolution, I think, would open up to contrary views that are not necessary at this time to be expressed in association with the resolution, whose purpose is quite different."
Pelosi has enough fights on her hands without this one. Love her or hate her, you have to admit that she is an astute politician.
Maybe next time Lee will check with the home office before she puts herself in an untenable position.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

H/T Central La. Politics

It doesn't get better

My 5 year-old twin great-nephews at Gulf Shores July 4th.

Louisiana State Trooper charged with roughing up Red River Parish Judge

We heard rumors of this incident, and now an arrest has been made. Louisiana State Trooper Eric Schonfarber has been arrested for aggravated assault, simple battery & false imprisonment in a courthouse parking lot incident.

District Judge Lewis Sams had left the courthouse in Coushatta for a quick trip and did not use his seat belt. Schonfarber followed him into the parking lot and proceeded to write a ticket. When Judge Sams identified himself as a judge, Schonfarber asked to see his badge and ID. The judge told him no, he wouldn't use his position to get out of the ticket.

At this point, the trooper threatened the judge with his taser and threw him onto the hood of his car. A constable and several courthouse employees witnessed the events.

Congressman Fleming on Healthcare: If you vote for it, you must use it

Congressman John Fleming (R-La) says that any member of congress who votes for a government run healthcare plan should have to enroll in it.
"Under the current draft of the Democrat healthcare legislation, members of Congress are curiously exempt from the government-run health care option, keeping their existing health plans and services on Capitol Hill. If Members of Congress believe so strongly that government-run health care is the best solution for hard working American families, I think it only fitting that Americans see them lead the way. Public servants should always be accountable and responsible for what they are advocating, and I challenge the American people to demand this from their representatives."
He has a petition on his website. Sign up here if you believe any member of Congress who votes for a government run health care plan should be forced to participate in the plan themselves?

Lucien Trammell Guilty of shooting Officer Madjerick

The Jury in the attempted murder trial of Lucien Trammell returned a verdict of guilty this evening. Trammell shot Madjerick in the face and then went on the lam to Houston, where he was captured.

Congratulations Suzanne Stinson

Suzanne Stinson, Judicial Administrator for the 26th JDC (Bossier-Webster Parishes), took office Saturday as President of the National Association for Court Management.
She is the first person from Louisiana to serve as president of the 2,000 member organization.
Her husband, 26th JDC Judge Ford Stinson, Jr. went with her to Boston to swear her in.
This is an honor not only for Suzanne but for all of us.
Congratulations!

The Deerslayer

H/T to Thanks Katrina