This is exactly why people hate Republicans.  For months now Republicans have been discussing the fact that Obama hasn’t been in Iraq for a visit lately.

Roast after roast was made about this and rightly so.  So what happens?  Obama goes to Iraq!  How are many Republicans reacting?  By roasting Obama for going to Iraq!

This is why people hate Republicans.  You can’t roast Obama for not going then roast him once he goes.  You look insane!

Thought I’d put up some links to stories about pro-life issues.

 Pro-lifers in Philippines Gather To Stop Legalization Of Abortion

Abortion In African American Community 

Black Church Called Pro-lifers Fetus Lovers 

Women In Countries Where Abortion Is Illegal Use Net To Get Abortion Drugs 

Abortion Soars In U.K. 

Ministry To Women Who Have Had Abortion 

We’re on to part two of our They Like Republican Ideas But Not Republicans, series.  Today I’m addressing the issue of Republicans hiding behind the flag.

I notice a tendency in Republicans, that if foreign policy, especially foreign policy with our military is concerned, if it’s questioned, instead of engaging in real discussion of issues, they quickly retreat into rhetoric that labels someone as unpatriotic or as a  military hater.

To me a Republican should be the last person who would retreat from a bold discussion of ideas.  When a liberal critiques the war in Iraq, the last one I should expect to hide behind a rhetorical slogan of, “You hate the troops or you hate America”, is Republicans!  Republicans are supposed to be sharp, strong, bold and ready for any kind of debate. But all to often Republicans are finding it easier to hide behind some cheap rhetoric rather than engage in real debate.

Republicans think they have a debate won if they stigmatize the other side as loony America haters who want to retreat.  Unfortunately that’s not how the rest of America views things.  Republicans are losing votes because they’d rather take a short cut and hide behind the flag, instead of doing some hard work and defending their cause with real ideas and real debate.

This is part one in our series called, They Like Republican Ideas, But Not Republicans.  Today I’m writing about the negative influence of right wing talk radio on the Republican image.

Conservative talk radio has bloomed since the early 1990’s on radio across America with the likes of Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh and others.  These shows have served a positive purpose of keeping Conservatives informed, but they have also had a negative influence on Republicans.

In order for a show to remain on the air and get ratings, it obviously has to be entertaining.  My concern is that Republicans have allowed real discourse on political ideas to be replaced with weak, low mental firepower, rhetoric that does little to convince others of the Conservative cause.

There is nothing wrong with entertainment on a radio show, but when you try and bring those tactics into the arena of real political thought and discourse, what you end up with is an abrasive, loud, annoying group of people who think they’re right, simply because they say a snazzy, witty line filled with sarcastic undertones.

To those in the Conservative choir such tactics seem like win wins, but in reality it’s tainting the Republican and Conservative image.  It’s funny to chant things like Barack Hussein Obama on talk radio to prove a shallow point, but when you bring that into the political arena it makes you look like an ignorant jerk.  And yes, that is his real name, but we all know “why” people are saying his real name, it’s because they’re trying to imply certain fear filled rhetoric.

Now please don’t get me wrong, this entire blog isn’t about the use of Obama’s full name, it’s about the general trend to use tactics like this and its overall influence on people’s perceptions of Republicans.

Republicans must once again throw off tactics like this.  It’s turning people off to Republican ideas.  Republicans have great ideas!  But if those ideas get confused with shallow rhetoric and low substance, knee-capping political rants, Republican ideas will not be heard over all the yelling.

America isn’t looking for a right or left or center to go to. They’re looking for some people with productive ideas to move America forward.  Unfortunately some have allowed great ideas to become clouded with cheap, weak rhetoric meant to score political points instead of winning hearts in a true discussion of political ideals.

I’ve been letting this site hang for a few months now, not really doing much with it.  Want to know why?  Because every time I hear a Republican open their mouth, I cringe!  I’ve honestly considered voting for Obama or Clinton or someone that doesn’t have an R by their name.

I get frustrated with Republicans because they don’t know how to engage in thoughtful dialog or debate. So much of their approach to politics revolves around acting like they don’t understand nuance, or just throwing out horse manure arguments that don’t pertain to anything relevant.  Seeing this time and time again, frankly has turned me off from Republicans.

I was going to vote for Obama until the Supreme Court’s ruling on guns in Washington D.C. . The closeness of this vote made me reconsider a few things.  It made me reevaluate where I stand on issues.  I remembered that I like gun rights.  I remembered that I like less government and a strong military and I think life in the womb should be protected.

So what had caused me to consider turning away from Republican ideas?  Simple.  Republicans are jerks who try to act dumb when it suits their purposes, then they act like geniuses who understand nuance when it fits their cause.  There is more to it of course and I’ll cover that in our on going series.  So please keep coming back.

I’m convinced there are many people like me.   I’m positive that many want less government, lower taxes, protection of the innocent, gun rights, a strong military and family values.  I’m sure many are against the hard left’s agenda.  But people are turning to the left, because Republicans don’t know how to convey their ideals in a constructive way. Republicans have allowed right wing, entertainment radio to influence how they discuss ideas.  It’s fine to be dumb and entertaining for entertainment purposes on radio and tv, but in the real world of political thought, people don’t want cheap rhetoric and straw-man arguments.

In this ongoing series, I’m going to discuss areas where I believe Republicans have gone wrong in presenting the Conservative cause. Please keep coming back so you can learn more.

Mitt Romney used Conservative ideals to bring coverage to everyone in Massachusetts. Check out this article on the state of health care in Mitt’s old state.

http://www.foxbusiness.com/article/massachusetts-health-quality-partners-issues-2008-report-quality-care_544606_1.html

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2008/
04/01/congress_has_big_questions_for_big_oil/

We’ve all seen the graphic, a stick figure leaning forward as a gas nozzle is inserted where the sun doesn’t shine.  Well today, Congress is investigating to see if there is any conspiracy truth behind this.  Wow I used the word conspiracy, I bet the Paultards will flock to the blog now.  Yay, more hits for me.

In all seriousness this is a question all Americans are probably wondering about.  Is the oil industry sticking it to us, or is this just legitimate market driven pricing?  This is an issue every political persuasion cares about.  More and more of our money is going to pay for higher priced oil and something has to give eventually.

Are these prices the result of some evil link between big oil men in office, ie Cheney and Bush?  It looks like there is no conspiracy here folks.  The oil market is tight and they’re just business people in a market economy making a dollar.  Can’t really fault them for that.

If those in the market don’t like the high prices for oil, then the market will eventually find a new cheaper product!  That’s how free markets work.

http://newsok.com/article/3223124

http://www.lagrangenews.com/articles/2008/03/25/news/news03.txt

So on Easter some kids received an Easter basket, inside were live strong like bracelets, only they had pro-Saudi comments on them.

Click the link above to read more.

Between the China led paint and other importing issues, maybe it’s time to take a look at our trade policies.  If you read the above story, these baskets came from some recalled baskets.  These weren’t one or two baskets that just snuck into your country.

This story isn’t just amusing it’s an indicator of where this country could be heading if we don’t change our trade policies.

What if the toilet paper was backed up by gold? This has to be a Ron Paul supporter doing this. Read full story below.

http://www.fltimes.com/articles/2008/03/27/ap-state-ny/d8vlq4to1.txt

THURSDAY MARCH 27, 2008 Last modified: Thursday, March 27, 2008 9:46 AM CDT

Man tries to pay water bill with toilet paper check

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. - An upstate New York man embroiled in a dispute over his water bill is not being allowed to pay off his debt with a check written on toilet paper.

Ron Borgna tried to settle his $2,509.66 bill with a check written on floral print, two-ply toilet paper Wednesday.

The disagreement began in September 2006 when Borgna received a $422.90 water bill. Borgna claims he was overbilled. With additional charges, penalties and late fees that bill has grown.

Binghamton city officials refused to accept the check. After a short argument, Borgna was escorted out of the building.

Borgna says he is appealing the judgment against him in small claims court.

Information from: The Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin, http://www.pressconnects.com

A service of the Associated Press(AP)