The GOP "wedge" issues

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

The true conservatives, the red state gwb cult and the neocon fundies in power do not share basic values. Yet, with “Gods, guns and gays” gwb and his corrupt administration has been able to keep these groups in lockstep.

Not anymore. There are several wedge issues that can damage that unity.

I hate to borrow a page from the repub playbook, but keeping these front and center may help fracture the united front of the GOP...it's starting already.

1.Immigration.

gwb et. al. are committed to creating a cheap domestic working class for their corporate sponsors vis a vis the "guest worker" program.

The John Birchers of the conservative wing are ballistic about this, not because of the corporate favors, but due to their fundamental isolationist view and, sadly, racism.

The red state cult isn't pleased about this, either, due to threats to their jobs, and, again, for some, racism.

Democrats should point out the exploitative nature of the proposed programs...to reinforce workers' rights issues for all and to emphasize their push to protect American jobs.


2.The deficit and foreign debt.

True fiscal conservatives are expressing grave concerns about the deficit and, even more so, about the amount of foreign debt we are accruing. Particularly, when lion’s share of that debt is owed to China, a country considered a communist foe by many in traditional conservative circles.

Democrats should emphasize the foreign debt over and over, and push for responsible stewardship of taxpayers' funds.

3.Medicare.

Just wait until those seniors hit their “coverage gaps”. At my medical clinic, we are expecting to see many seniors in dire straits come April or so, after exhausting their first coverage phase for the year.

This debacle belongs squarely to gwb and company. Not much Dem emphasis needed, except to express empathy and make fixing this "reform" a top priority.

4.The second amendment.

The NRA's beloved gwb said nothing and did nothing to protect the second amendment rights of NOLA citizens. It was up to the NRA to intercede.

Dems might just want to remind responsible gun owners of this come the mid term elections.

http://rawstory.com/news/2005/National_Rifle_Association_slams_New_Orleans_for_confiscat_0912.html

There are others, such as nation building (at the expense of our infrastructure) and imperialism or Posse Comitas and states’ rights. And, for true Christians, the anti Christian focus on the rich and powerful, to the detriment of the “least among us.”

The repub party is ripe for fracturing. I’m doing my part to push my repub co-workers, family members and acquaintances to the other side of their cognitive dissonance where they can see the truth, as well as the lies.

Let’s hope our Democratic leadership starts doing the same thing.

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

2. I did not say all anti immigration people are racist. I said that the

far right wing of gwb's party tends to oppose immigration based on racism and isolationism.

gwb is determined to push through the guest worker program. Many people, including me, oppose it for many reasons, including the ones you articulated.

However, I disagree with gwb on virtually everything. It's the folks who have been his bread and butter that must be reminded of this, in order to create policy fissures within key groups of the GOP. MKJ

on edit: There are also millions of Latino American citizens, here legally and for many generations. The exploitative nature of the program needs to be argued effectively, to promote the Democrats as pro-workers rights, including unions, which are one of the most effective mechanisms for reducing illegal workers on job sites. MKJ

[KurtNYC]

3. I would put "Big Government" on that list

And within that vague overarching umbrella term:
- more government programs, agencies and employees were added by Bush
- surveillance, wire taps, data mining, etc.
- secrecy and erosion of 'sunshine' laws
- corruption (abramoff, Delay, Rove, Scooter Libby)
- the horrible non-response to Katrina

Shrinking the size of government was high on the Reagan agenda but what happened?

[MrBenchley]

4. So we should lie about guns and the Second Amendment too?

Fat chance.

And as far as I can see the only people opposed to gun control are the hard core crazies....even the GOP had to pretend they were far it at election time.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

7. I guess it's the hyprocisy of courting the NRA and its ilk while allowing

the very scene they fear the most to unfold in NOLA.

MKJ

[MrBenchley]

10. Hey, how about the hypocrisy of putting assault weapons back in stores

while claiming they supported the assault weapons ban (as 70% of the country did)....the GOP should have been hit hard with that every damn day of the campaign.

[Odin2005]

8. The problem is that the RW is able to spin gun control...

...as "the evil Libruls from the big city are going to take away your guns". As long as that spin keeps happening We aren't getting my fellow rural voters.

[MrBenchley]

9. Good job by "gun owning Democrats" explaining real issues ....

By the way, since only 15% of the nation's population is rural, according to the Census Bureau AND they fall for crap like "Democrats will make you marry gays and abolish the Bible"

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/24/politics/campaign/24bible.html

I can't see that it's worthwhile alienating urban and suburban moderates and libeals, who overwhelmingly support gun control, just to pander to a bunch of bigoted ignorant hayseeds.

[KurtNYC]

5. Another wedge issue for GOPers - Osama is alive

Alive, making tapes, mocking us, threatening us, etc. And Bush is not even looking for him any more. Pulled troops out of Afghanistan to invade Iraq. Substituted Saddam for OBL. The victims of 9/11 are 4+ years gone and meanwhile this Administration seem content to wait for OBL to die of kidney failure.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

6. here in the bible belt

Christianity and the actual teachings or quotes by Jesus make great wedges that divide and conquer... Let's make sure repukes don't divide and conquer us!