The U.S. electorate strongly suggested it last November 2008. Perhaps Republicans need to be reminded again. They’re overworked from completely messing up the economy for the past 8 years. They’re overtaxed as they can’t handle the multitude of new programs and policies from a Democratic Administration and Congress. They’re completely exhausted, as in being intellectually, ethically and organizationally bankrupt.
All Republicans desperately need a long and quiet vacation. Being out of power and lacking meaningful influence over public policies after decades in relative complete control is very disconcerting and disorientating. They don’t hold the White House, neither House in Congress by wide margins, and they are also the minority in most State Capitals across the country. They tried hard when they had near complete power, and the electorate has determined they failed. Now it’s time to move on, re-group, and prepare for another day.
The anger and vitriol being expressed by many conservative television and talk radio entertainers, right-wing pundits, and the rank and file at all social and business events, is becoming very disturbing. Their maudlin ravings, meritless arguments and savage attacks on the new Administration and everyone associated with it are not rational. Considering the ages, weights, and physical conditions of most Republicans, their constant bloviating may become a serious hazard to their long-term health.
Continuously elevated blood pressures, coupled with overeating and daily temper tantrums would cause any physician to wonder about the possibility of strokes and heart attacks. And these angry explosions are not limited to just a few Republicans but are frequently expressed by many of them who roam aimlessly in the neighborhoods of America no longer the centers of attention. It could be considered a national health crisis if about 20% of the country is facing such depression, anger, and high risk of stroke and death.
Republicans have to take the personal initiative and set a good example that the private sector can help with the overall national economic recovery and without any governmental assistance. They need to all go on vacation – not only figuratively but literally.
The positive economic stimulus from traveling is well documented. And many places (such as warm and sunny Arizona with a Republican Governor and Legislature) desperately need that stimulus infusion to help the floundering local economies and most state coffers. Republicans need to book trips all around the country to get an appreciation of the natural beauty and ethnic diversity of this country. They need to reconnect with this country’s innate greatness, uniqueness and human potential for innovation and excellence. They need to see how their mismanagement and policies over several decades have hurt this country.
They should also book trips overseas to see first-hand how we are interconnected with every other place on the planet. They should see how dreaded socialism in wealthy Western Europe is worthy of objective study and not demonization. They have to see China and India – our global partners for the rest of this Century. They need to see the stunningly advanced transportation infrastructures, high speed rail and mass transit systems, new developments in renewable energy sources, and excellent schools that have been built around the world. This is in stark contrast with their total lack of leadership for years in these basic areas of government that has left the U.S. several decades behind many other advanced and developing countries.
Republicans need to come up with completely new ideas on how to lead a country in the 21st Century without relying upon Ronald Reagan and rehashing the policies of the 1980’s. They have to let the ocean tides wash away every discredited, unworkable, rigid and irrelevant economic and political dogmas they have embraced for far too long.
One of the benefits of being out of the loop is that you can take longer vacations and not worry that anyone back at the office will miss you. The same applies to Republicans. Right now they are free to tune out, turn off, and ignore the world since they are no longer responsible for anything at this time.
Is there any point in constantly exciting your small angry base? Will it really matter because that base isn’t going anywhere for the foreseeable future? In the big scheme of things, who really cares what liberal replaces Justice Souter? It’s just one vote out of nine. Who cares what federal programs are funded? Those figures will be different in a few years anyway.
Republicans struggled for years to change governmental priorities and shrink it, but they failed. Does anyone really think the Democrats will do a whole lot better with government? Whether the Obama Administration succeeds or fails is completely out of the hands of Republicans. It would be better to quietly slip away and go on several long vacations, and tell everyone that you’ll be back to check in on things sometime during the fall of 2012.
Republicans should remember that in all relationships, absence sometimes makes the heart grow fonder. If the American people get a vacation from Republicans and the Democrats don’t do well for a few years, they may be open to a rejuvenated party in 2012 or 2016. However if you persist in acting the part of an angry spurned lover constantly stalking and banging on the windows, don’t you think someone will eventually get a restraining order? By ranting and raving, and being in everyone’s face 24/7, doesn’t that just keep reminding them of all the stupid things you did in the past? The opposite of love is not hate but indifference. Republicans right now need to cultivate indifference from the American electorate.
No political party has all the answers to all our problems. And the Democrats will fall short in some areas. Republicans went from a party of a few good ideas to a party of stupid ideas. And now they are the party of no ideas – but just angry at everyone who abandoned them. Republicans need a vacation.
Marc Pascal