A small cabal of angry Republicans is holding the House of Representatives hostage. WHEN REPUBLICANS say they don’t want “big government,” it must be taken, hopefully, with a grain of salt.
To understand why this faction is able to bend the party to its will is not self-evident.
It can’t be that they are against big government, since most deem it their right to accept Social Security and Medicare — universal programs every bit as “socialist” as food stamps, Medicaid and now the Affordable Care Act, in that the government provides them.
Individually, these programs have purposes most Republicans accept. Yes, it’s good to keep the poor fed and clothed. Those with disabilities should not suffer unduly. A diagnosis of cancer should not prevent one from obtaining health insurance. And the elderly deserve a “cushion” of support and care to take them through their senior years.
Perhaps it’s the total aggregate of such programs that make Republicans shout “too much!”
Recent polls and surveys indicate the Republican Party is becoming more conservative at a fast clip. From 2002 to 2010, the percentage of conservative Republicans grew by 10 percent, according to a Gallup poll.
At the same time, the moderate faction fell by as much.
Concerns included the loss of homogeneous communities, they are very conscious of being white in a country that has a growing number of non-white populations; social change, such as some states approving same-sex marriage, makes them feel uncomfortable; they are afraid of women gaining too much power; they see food stamps and unemployment benefits designed to benefit minorities only; and that providing health insurance for all creates a society that is increasingly on the lookout for a handout.
Conservative Republicans are composed of two factions: Tea Party followers and evangelical Christians. Together, they more than double the number who consider themselves moderate.
The conservative faction sees cooperation as capitulation.
They’re not saying no to national defense, disease control, food inspection services, public schools and universities, crop insurance, health clinics and hospitals, interstate highways, national parks, and all the programs that take them into their senior years with promises of health care and a pension.
They like that picture.
Unfortunately, this world is not picture perfect. It comes with the poor (who will always be with us), the war-torn, the hurt, the people, in fact, who a certain savior made it his purpose to serve.
The demographics and social landscapes of the United States are like a watercolor. An influx here, a new law there, and the picture changes entirely, never to go back to its original.
That is how the world has always been.
If Republicans refuse to accept these changes, they risk being left out of the picture.
— Susan Lynn
GOP painting itself out of the picture
