Monday, January 27, 2014

A New Era For The GOP Or Just Death Throes?

We here in America live with a two party system that has for years waged an on going battle that has come to define modern politics. On the one side is the Democrats. They have been in the White House for two terms now with, some would say, mixed results. What they also have is great prospects in the coming years, not least of which is Hillary Clinton. On the other side of the ever flipping coin is the GOP or the Republicans. GOP= Grand Old Party and at one time it truly was a great, solid, united forward thinking party. That can not be said about the present day Republican Party.
In the past few years they have tried time & again to revamp themselves to fit the rapidly
changing voters. With different groups within the GOP fighting for control there has little, if any cohesiveness coming from the Republicans.  The term "staying" on message has no meaning to this group because at this time there is no message on which they can agree! Let's look at some of the groups that are playing a part in this soap opera.
 The Tea Party or Tea Baggers as they are know to everyone else.  The Tea Party movement is an American political movement that is primarily known for advocating a return to "The Founding Fathers" blueprint for America, or at least what they see as the blueprint because NONE of the Tea Baggers were there.  Now lets all keep in mind that the Fathers were all White, rich, male slave owners, but our friendly Tea Baggers, umm Tea Party People,  don't believe we should all return to that.  At least they don't say as much.  But what they do clearly believe in is a more conservative approach to EVERYTHING.  From social issues like gun rights, to abortion to limited government & of course Gay marriage. Theirs is a grassroots movement that started in the mid 90's.  As with most movements the T.P.'ers was started out of frustration with what they thought was an America fast approaching the end.  The number of people that are actual members seems to vary according to who you ask, but one thing that is clear is the most, not all, seem to be older, white people that think that the Republican party was starting to become to liberal. No really, some people actually thought that. So the movement was hailed by many as a saving grace.  At last getting back to core values & fiscal responsibility.  And they found great spokespeople like my good friend Sarah Palin. I wanted to insert a photo of Sarah & Myself here but everytime we have been in the same room she runs in the other direction. And by that I means she literally runs! I guess she was having a bad hair day.  Members of the Tea Party have made themselves a force to be reckoned with. However if you, as a card carrying conservative, step outta line there is a price to pay.  As Sen John McCain learned earlier today. The Arizona Republican Party censured longtime Sen. John McCain for what it called his “long and terrible” record of voting with the liberal, left wing. #told 
One of the other groups that is doing it's damnest to be heard in this never ending fight for a piece of the pulpit is....are you all ready for this?  Socially Liberal Black Republicans. Now I too did a double take on that one! I saw it on a friends facebook page & it sent my wheels a spinning.  Now as many of you may know Ab Lincoln was a proud Republican and also gained world wide fame for The Emancipation Proclamation.  He most likely would have gone on to mess up his reputation if he had not spent that night at the theater.  But, this one amazing event alone can not over shadow the years that followed.  For a long time fiscally conservative blacks have tried, some would say in vain, to return the Republican party to one that is more inclusive. This uphill battle, in my view, has lost a bit of steam with the the election of America's first half black President to The White House....twice. However the question is starting to be raised will the Republicans nominate a socially liberal candidate for the 2016.  Did the Republicans learn their lesson when they pushed hard right wing ideas?  This small yet growing group is is becoming a force to be reckoned with. Only a group taken seriously would be  having a luncheon at The White House next week. And that is just where the Black Republicans will be throwing down. One person that will making a grand entrance, because she always enters a room like that, is Miss Frenchie Davis. As she shares on her fb timeline, and everyone should check that out cause it is H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S, she is a Socially Liberal Black Republican...and Bisexual. Pause for effect.  So as more & more young, Black Americans find their voice in the system is it possible that a younger, smarter, more liberal way of looking at the world will become the prevailing thought from the party?  Will Jay Z be hosting fundraisers for a Black Republican candidatee? And will Boy About Town be invited?

Now I want to close this topic out with a group I yet to be able to wrap my mind around, The Log Cabin Republicans! Let me break this down for you fine folks. The Log Cabin Republicans are a group of Gay Republicans. I know right?!  Now as some of you may know I have had many an interview with different members of the L.C.R. and still don't understand how anyone in their right mind could want to be a part of a group that has made it quite clear they want nothing whatsoever to do with anything Gay.  Point in case, Presidential candidate Bob Dole, remember him, returned money to our Log Cabiner's that they had raised on his behalf.  He wanted nothing to do with a group of Gays...or their money, which really says something!  In a time of changing views on Gay Marriage, polls show that a majority of Americans now support it, why oh why would you throw your time, energy & yes money behind a group that states clearly they stand opposed to your equal rights? But that is just what they are doing? I just can't....
Now there is also the growing Hispanic vote, which at this time has become the largest minority in the USA.  I did not over look them but am saving that hot topic for a coming posting! Now let's catch up on some entertainment gossip!  
It seems that AirFrance has pissed off the one & only Cher!  And as anyone in the free world knows Cher loves to share all her thoughts on twitter, so while looking up Frenchie's fb page make sure to hit @Cher!  It seems Cher's houseguest Heidi arrived but sans her luggage.  As she went on to share AirFrance later found the missing luggage half way across the globe but was making plans to have it brought to LA.  However the bags were not to delivered to Casa de Cher and her highness let lose on the airline, with both barrels! FAB!  Speaking of people that need to be taken down a notch, Phaedra Parks of the Real Housewives of Atlanta will finally get to use her law degree she is SO fond of telling us about.  Her husband, Apollo Nida, has been charged in federal court with identity theft! Now I know a thing or two about the court system, thank you very much, and I know that the feds only bring a case against you if they are sure they can win.  Hey Apollo, if you need any pointers on life behind the fence hit me up! 
Stay Fabulous!
Boy About Town