Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Toto · 06-13-2003, 10:25 AM

'Some Crazy Guy' by Paul Krugman

Quote:

Last year I tried to illustrate just how far to the right America's ruling party has moved by quoting some of Representative Tom DeLay's past remarks. I got some puzzling responses. "Who cares what some crazy guy in Congress says?" wrote one liberal economist, chiding me for being alarmist.

. . .

So what will Mr. DeLay and his associates do with their lock on power, once it is firmly established? . . .

Above all, expect to see the wall between church and state come tumbling down. Mr. DeLay has said that he went into politics to promote a "biblical worldview," and that he pursued President Clinton because he didn't share that view. Where would this worldview be put into effect? How about the schools: after the Columbine school shootings, Mr. DeLay called a press conference in which he attributed the tragedy to the fact that students are taught the theory of evolution.

There's no point in getting mad at Mr. DeLay and his clique: they are what they are. I do, however, get angry at moderates, liberals and traditional conservatives who avert their eyes, pretending that current disputes are just politics as usual. They aren't � what we're looking at here is a radical power play, which if it succeeds will transform our country. Yet it's considered uncool to point that out.

Krugman is, of course, speaking to his fellow economists, many of whom are libertarian-leaning Republicans or centrists.

If moderates see that the Republican Party has become a wholy owned subsidiary of the religious right, will they desert the Party?

We already have the RR threatening to stay home the next election if Bush does not toe their line on gay rights and support Santorum's viscious remarks.

I can only hope.

christ-on-a-stick · 06-13-2003, 12:31 PM

Quote:

We already have the RR threatening to stay home the next election if Bush does not toe their line on gay rights and support Santorum's viscious remarks.

Hey, I didn't realize that... are there any news stories or anything? Sheesh, no kidding we can only hope!!!!

Toto · 06-13-2003, 12:49 PM

See this thread: Rick Santorum's anti-gay comments

Christian Right Talks of Bolting GOP in 2004

christ-on-a-stick · 06-13-2003, 12:51 PM

Thanks Toto!!!

Ron Garrett · 06-13-2003, 01:43 PM

I see Michael Farris rears his head in the article. Mikey showed up in my adult Sunday School class in Tacoma back inthe 80's. I remember thinking that even in a room full of radical pentecostals he stood outside the fringe, and he's moved from starting up one cause group after another. He completely gave me the creeps the same way David Duke gave me the creeps, i.e. intelligent and weird enough to be genuinely dangerous if he ever achieved any influence. I think he puts his finger in the air, tests the evangelical winds for the next emotional topic appropriate to fund-raising, prints new business cards and starts soliciting support. Every time his name comes up he's head of a new RR issues "foundation." But I suspect that like Ralph Reed, Mike's the only one that ever benefits from his efforts.

Toto · 06-13-2003, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Mike Farris, chairman and general counsel of Home School Legal Defense Association and one of the leading pro-family activists on Capitol Hill

He has his own foundation: http://www.homeschoolfoundation.org/

which has qualified for the Combined Federal Campaign.

Ron Garrett · 06-13-2003, 02:25 PM

Which only shows how little it takes to lead that pack.

Elora · 06-13-2003, 07:56 PM

I don't think we should expect to see a lot of non-RR Republicans bolt the party because of the RR influence. Even religious Republican presidents, like both Bushes, and congressmen generally don't give more than lip service to the fringe RR. They have a lot of other issues that the majority of the Republican party take much more seriously, like tax cuts, judicial appointments and national defense. And frankly, those are the kind of things that are shifting rightward fastest, and scaring the hell out of me.

When we start getting creationism and school prayer bills in the Senate I'll worry about the RR. It's the broader agendas Republicans are pushing that are dangerous.

It does make me happy to see the RR beginning to recognize that DC isn't following their dictates. Even politicians who agree with them can't get much done about it. Instead we get little flare-ups of morons like Santorum and Ashcroft, and there are too many checks and balances for that kind of idiocy to get far. Maybe now they'll stop telling their sheep that you can't be Christian unless you vote Republican.

SLD · 06-13-2003, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Elora
I don't think we should expect to see a lot of non-RR Republicans bolt the party because of the RR influence. Even religious Republican presidents, like both Bushes, and congressmen generally don't give more than lip service to the fringe RR. They have a lot of other issues that the majority of the Republican party take much more seriously, like tax cuts, judicial appointments and national defense. And frankly, those are the kind of things that are shifting rightward fastest, and scaring the hell out of me.

When we start getting creationism and school prayer bills in the Senate I'll worry about the RR. It's the broader agendas Republicans are pushing that are dangerous.

. . .

Both of the Agendas are dangerous and both are threatening. They are using this so called war to scare us and take away our liberties and to reward their corporate bosses. I hate to be a pessimist, but everyone thinks W is so wonderful - he's the second coming of Jesus Christ around here. I fear that the only thing that will wake us up is a severe economic downturn. And that indeed may happen.

SLD

Obey_Matthew_6_6 · 06-15-2003, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Toto

He has his own foundation
which has qualified for the Combined Federal Campaign.

All the more reason I have steadfastly refused to contribute when Combined Federal Coercion season rolls around - too many religious extremist organizations "qualify". How can I qualify as a charity and receive money from this boondoggle program?

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06-13-2003, 12:49 PM	#3
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	See this thread: Rick Santorum's anti-gay comments Christian Right Talks of Bolting GOP in 2004

06-13-2003, 12:51 PM	#4
christ-on-a-stick Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Durango, Colorado Posts: 7,116	Thanks Toto!!!

06-13-2003, 01:43 PM	#5
Ron Garrett Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: United States Posts: 1,657	I see Michael Farris rears his head in the article. Mikey showed up in my adult Sunday School class in Tacoma back inthe 80's. I remember thinking that even in a room full of radical pentecostals he stood outside the fringe, and he's moved from starting up one cause group after another. He completely gave me the creeps the same way David Duke gave me the creeps, i.e. intelligent and weird enough to be genuinely dangerous if he ever achieved any influence. I think he puts his finger in the air, tests the evangelical winds for the next emotional topic appropriate to fund-raising, prints new business cards and starts soliciting support. Every time his name comes up he's head of a new RR issues "foundation." But I suspect that like Ralph Reed, Mike's the only one that ever benefits from his efforts.

06-13-2003, 02:25 PM	#7
Ron Garrett Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: United States Posts: 1,657	Which only shows how little it takes to lead that pack.

06-13-2003, 07:56 PM	#8
Elora Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 58	I don't think we should expect to see a lot of non-RR Republicans bolt the party because of the RR influence. Even religious Republican presidents, like both Bushes, and congressmen generally don't give more than lip service to the fringe RR. They have a lot of other issues that the majority of the Republican party take much more seriously, like tax cuts, judicial appointments and national defense. And frankly, those are the kind of things that are shifting rightward fastest, and scaring the hell out of me. When we start getting creationism and school prayer bills in the Senate I'll worry about the RR. It's the broader agendas Republicans are pushing that are dangerous. It does make me happy to see the RR beginning to recognize that DC isn't following their dictates. Even politicians who agree with them can't get much done about it. Instead we get little flare-ups of morons like Santorum and Ashcroft, and there are too many checks and balances for that kind of idiocy to get far. Maybe now they'll stop telling their sheep that you can't be Christian unless you vote Republican.

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