Associated Press
Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback (R) has had a fair amount of success in his first two years implementing a very conservative agenda. Most notably, Brownback's tax "reform" plan, which sharply cut income taxes on Kansas' wealthy while punishing the poor, was signed into law in May.
But it apparently wasn't quite enough to satisfy the right. We talked earlier this week about a group of congressional Republican moderates -- an endangered and ineffectual contingent -- feeling increasingly frustrated, but reader R.P. flagged an item out of Kansas, where the GOP is actively purging centrists from their midst.
Frustrated by their inability to achieve some policy goals, conservatives in Republican states are turning against moderate members of their own party, trying to drive them out of state legislatures to clear the way for reshaping government across a wide swath of mid-America controlled by the GOP. [...]
The push is most intense in Kansas, where conservatives are attempting to replace a dozen moderate Republican senators who bucked new Gov. Sam Brownback's move to slash state income taxes.
Greg Smith, a Kansas state representative who's running for the state Senate, told the AP, "If you don't believe in that playbook, then why are you on the team?"
What an illustrative quote. The far right is drawing up the plays, and those who disagree, even a little, ought to be replaced with loyal, almost robotic, teammates who will do what they're told.
In Kansas, this translates into a series of contentious GOP primaries, which will be held early next week, in which right-wing activists try to replace the moderates (or at least those who seem moderate by 2012 standards) in their midst. This includes, the Republican Senate President, Senate Majority Leader, and several key committee chairs whose fealty to the far-right cause has disappointed the party's base. The Koch brothers and the Kansas Chamber of Commerce are providing the financial resources to fuel the purge.
For his part, Brownback has already turned on many Republican incumbents, throwing his support to primary challengers because the moderates, in his words, help "promote a Democrat [sic] agenda."
A traditional poli-sci model might suggest this is risky. Most voters consider themselves mainstream and "somewhere in the middle," and traditionally punish parties that become too extreme.
But in states like Kansas, Republicans figure they have nothing to worry about -- the GOP dominates, and winning the primary means winning the seat.
For the activist right, this means there's very little risk in fighting to replace more reasonable Republicans with ones who'll mindlessly toe the party line.
In the post-Bush, post-financial-crisis, post-war era, the Republican Party has slowly been confronted with questions about what kind of party it wants to be in the 21st century. It appears the decision has been made: the GOP wants a small, rigid, right-wing party that tolerates very little dissent and even fewer moderates.
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In the midst of everything else, the GOP is actively promoting what many a 20th century writer described as a distant, futuristic dystopia!
Scary times are with us as we witness a one-party ideology beyond its germination stage. Its propagation is a true threat to our diverse, freedom-loving citizenry.
Kansas is becoming a bell-weather state for the crazy! -Kevo
Toto, I couldn't resist, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore.
We need to wake up, this Radical Republican Tea Party may get control and if they do there go our Freedoms and our Government. The problem with Tea Party members is they believe in the Constitution as they interpret it and the Freedoms that they agree to. If they get control, there will be an end to Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, Social Programs and we will have to live under their rule.
They will tell us what Religion is acceptable, and we will have to adapt those beliefs.
They will tell us what is acceptable moral behavior and any other behavior will be illegal.
They will change the Constitution with Amendments and Bills to reflect their ideology.
There will not longer be a Democratic Party, it will be one Party and that is the Tea Party Republicans - How is that Democracy.
When people are elected to Represent their state and their district they no longer represent just that party, but all citizens of their district and state. When they are in Washington their votes impact all citizens - Moderate Republicans, Tea Party Republicans, Democrats and Independents, that is why you have to be open to compromise because you have to represent "We the People".
Moderate Republicans, Democrats and Independents - WAKE UP - we need to be represented and the Tea Party Republicans will not do that. Vote in Moderate Republicans or Democrats or Independents so our Democracy does not become a one party dictatorship.
I always used to make certain to drive through Kansas and Nebraska as fast as I could, in fear that The Stupid was catching.
Tea Party changes to the Constitution
We the people and corporations of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union (except labor), diminish Justice, insure domestic Division, provide lavishly for the common defence, promote the general elimination of Welfare, and secure the Bless Liberty to our oureselfs the Tea Party and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution fo the United States of America
It's called FASCISM, and it's what Mussolini had going on in Italy! So much for that whole notion of "liberty & freedom"!
BINGO ZORA!It's Theocratic Fascism at that.The TEA has already admitted to furthering their TRUE Agenda,Overthrowing The US Government&installing a Fascist Theocracy where The Constitution MUST Conform to Biblical Law.Not only are they Traitors for that,but the DAY the signed The Norquist Pledge,they violated The Constitution WILLFULLY&WITH KNOWLEDGE OF DOING SO!They ALL need to be Thrown out of Power,Impeached,Charged&shipped off to GITMO PERMANENTLY!
Unless one believes in bringing back Public Stonings of Women&People of Color,executing Disobedient Children,NO Education for Children or Young Adults unless it's from Their kind of"Biblical Worldview",Millions of Women becoming Disabled,Barren&Dying because they outlaw Birth Control&Abortion for ANY Reason,The continued Assault upon Women&Children at the hands of Domestic Violence,because they already have trashed The "Violence against Women Act"that expired¬ only did they NOT re-new it,they have out their OWN version up that actually ALLOWS Husbands to beat their Wives&Children&get away with it,saying it's His"Right"Biblically,because they "Belong"to Him&he can do as he sees fit to keep them"in their place",not to mention The Torture&execution of Gays(which has already started in case anyone missed it in the last week alone there have been 3 Vicious Attacks by These TEA Zealots upon Gay People.Utterly HEINOUS Attacks,fueled by The Family Research Councils incessant calls for it to happen.
The SAME Group Chick-Fil-A has Propped up with MILLIONS of dollars&is a Bona Fide Hate Group.WAKE UP AMERICA,THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD TO IF THEY GET IN!This is NOT Hyperbole,it is by their OWN Admission,and their actions these last 3&1/2 years.When they admit it Openly,WHY do people keep voting for them&trying to Lie about the TRUE Intentions?A new study out says that 53%of The GOP does NOT associate themselves with the Tea Party in ANY way.There are quite a few of them that are actually voting for Obama&a Straight Dem Ticket.They even have Groups&Websites for it.On Facebook,they are"Republicans for Obama",and there is a website by the same name.They also have"The gopleftme.com.We here on this Camp&The Independents need to get together with these GOPers who actually are more SANE,&kick every last one of these Seditionist Traitors where they belong.We WON'T get another Chance,because they will Outlaw us from Voting ever again.They've already started that too..Time for SANITY&REASON to replace BIGOTRY&TREASON,to Preserve America as The Land of The Free not The Land of Fascist Theocracy!OBAMA/BIDEN2012!
Perhaps it ain't just veggies that have been 'genetically modified'.
As Grover Norquist said: “We just need a president to sign this stuff … Pick a Republican with enough working digits to handle a pen to become president of the United States.”
Apparently they did not mean that just for Republican President, it also applies to Republican member of the Senate and House. As long as they have (at least one) working hand to wave Yea or Nay and can read Peter Pan for the filibustering strategy, they are good to go. All materials will be provided by Norquist, the Koch Brothers, and Sheldon Adelson, and ALEC, channeled through Cantor. No thinking required.
The Republican party is being devoured by the Tea Party, the Koch Bros., the religious right and other kooks. If the moderate Republicans want to stay in politics, then they will have to move to the Dem party or stay locked out of the political process until the radicals destroy the Republican party and it can be rebuilt. Dems have a golden opportunity to enlarge the party at the expense of the Republicans. Kansas could become a testing ground for the Dems to rebuild the party in a conservative state. The difference between Blue Dogs and moderate Republicans is very small. It will take a few defections of high profile persons from the Republican party to begin the process of another political realignment and open the doors for other moderate Republicans to change parties. But until that time, Dems should be able to take advantage of this fissure in the Republican party to pick off seats in state legislatures and Congress.
"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross." - Upton Sinclair, 1932
Taking over a few conservative states might be the best way for voters to learn about these radicals. It is probable that the radicals will make a mess of the state government because they do not want to fix problems, but rather tear down government. Neglecting and ignoring problems do not make them go away, just more expensive to fix. I believe the radicals will continue overreach and the voters will smack them down or the mess they make will create a backlash.
I'm afraid, Mike, that we can only hope. I am amazed to hear even one person is sufficiently lacking in intelligence to propose that any of these people should be elected to office and yet they are not only being encouraged in their candidacy, but being voted in.
It is truly apparent that if we want to maintain our country, we had best convince anyone with a brain that functions to get to the polls and vote. It is our only chance. But how do we get our disenchanted citizens to vote?
I live in an area that is so heavily Republican that the Democrats are scratching dirt to come up with a candidate to run for office when the Republicans cannot even agree to endorse the incumbent. How pathetic is that?
I am afraid that no matter how many vote in the upcoming election the Republicans will commit any form of chicanery to make sure they win. Their Presidential candidate is a liar and a robot, their candidates for any office are so far off sanity that they don't even touch the ground, but we still hear people that are willing to vote for them because they hate our legally elected President.
I even have heard that in spite of redistricting that put the inane Bachman person in a new district, our Democratic candidate is having a major problem overcoming her election. Say what?????????? Everyone I have talked to both Republicans and Democrats truly despise her, yet apparently she has something of a leading edge. God help us.
I don't understand why our President's campaign hasn't used the Norquist speech about their not needing a president who can think, just one that has sufficient working digits to sign what they put in front of him. Just showing that comment with a picture of Willy Romney would get some attention.
I am planning to drag every breathing person capable of voting with me to the polls. God help them if they refuse!
Does anyone recognize the name Nehemiah Scudder?
WHOA there Pal,that is WAY too close to Home to even BEGIN to be Comfortable with!!*SHUDDERS AT THE THOUGHT*We MUST Perish said Thoughts from our Living Sphere,they've done ENOUGH Damage under The Guise of The GOP/TEA.Time to do what it takes to throw them out,because they sure as hel* AREN'T going waste THEIR time on us.They ARE already traitors,The Day they signed Norquists Pledge,they violated the Constitution.Theres a Petition coming out asking for them to be Impeached&Charged for it,every single one who signed it.When it comes out,make SURE to sign&share that thing.Should be within the next week.
You know,it almost makes one wonder about Homeland Security buying so many Rounds.The Fascists may actually be Right in a bit of their Tin Foil hattery when they say The Government bought it to use on The People.But it WASN'T Obama that did it&it isn't us "Liberals"they got it for.But Hey,they are the ones calling for an Armed Insurrection to install a Fascist Theocracy&to Murder countless American Citizens in the Process of turning us into a"Christian Nation.Exactly WHAT did they expect??If their Heinous attacks on People&Animals had not already begun,I'd think they were simply bluffing,but after the last week alone, where 3 Gay People have been Firebombed,Brutalized&Mutilated in their own home with a homophobic Slur carved into her body and another one beaten senseless,her jaw broken and her body broken to Pieces by them,The Gay Man sustained 2nd&3rd degree Burns when they threw Gasoline on him&his Car in his OWN Driveway then threw a match on him,but not before painting a slur on his Property(the Police say it's a "possible "Hate Crime)throw in all the other Violent things they've done like Mutilate cats of Democratic Challengers by bashing it to death&carving the Word"Liberal"into The Poor cats Side&leaving it for His kids to find&there's NO doubt they DO mean to do exactly what they said.
Wouldn't ya know,I'm gonna be completely in the thick of The DNC,Dog help us if they decide to attack that,it WILL be time for Homeland Security to defend us from all terrorists,Foreign AND Domestic.Yup,that Scudder reference wasn't merely a book to read,it WAS a darn Prophecy of things to come.*sigh*,I just simply want OUT of here.America,I love You,but You have become a danger to Live in with these folks in Power.I dunno know HOW it Happened,but I don't have The Money to escape,so I guess Fight it is,at The Ballot Box and possibly The Ammo Box as well.Let's Hope Homeland Security can stop them before it gets too out of hand.*sigh*Where's Dr.Who&Tardis when ya need em???
D.C. Sessions
What do you think?
Adam Selene - Free Luna
Oh, remember your time-line - 2012 is the year good old Nehemiah becomes President.
TANSTAAFL, that wonderful Fosterite chapter in Stranger in a Strange Land, and perhaps even more appropriate, "Gentlemen, Be Seated!" - that sucking sound you hear is ...
I really think it is time to stop using the word "conservative" to describe the extreme right of the Republican party. They are anything but conservative - they are radical. Let us call them by their proper name; it is not the "ultra-conservatives" or even the "severely conservative" who have taken over the Republican party. When actual conservatives are resigning and being rejected by the Radical right, we should say so.
'Fascist' is a good word, and entirely appropriate. It's OK to use it when used as directed.
NeoConRadRights?
Theocrats - the TheoNeoRadiRites?
I'm finished now.
These guys are scary. They want only one party -- one voice -- just Republicans -- nobody else.
Can you think of some other countries where one party rules? How about the former Soviet Union, Communist China, the former Baathist-led one party rule of Iraq. Then there are the fringe Republican radicals who want a Christian Theocracy. Where has that worked? ... Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia?
Even more scary than these jokers are the people who vote for them. Why do Americans vote against their own self-interest.
Nothing but a bunch of loose wing nuts!
BTW: I just looked up the name Nehemiah Scudder. Boy now I'm really scarred. If Romney wins we may be looking at a prophesy fulfilled.
Ein Volk! Ein Reich! Ein Führer!
OK, I know, Republicans aren't Nazis. But they could be if that acquired as much power as they seem to crave. Many Republicans express eliminationist fantasies about LGBT people, about non-whites, about non-(fundamentalist)-Christians. If they could indulge their fantasies without fear of reprisal, why wouldn't they be as bad as Nazis?
Meddling,considering they actually FINANCED the Nazis as well as Communist Russia by dealing in Their Oil Fields,were brought before Congress for attempting to overthrow the Government&Install a Fascist Theocracy&engineering The Great depression to de-stabile America so they could take over,they ARE Nazis,no if,ands or buts about it.It's all in The Congressional Record&one of the many reasons FDR got as many Terms as he did.They even had a fore runner of The Tea Party called"The American Liberty league"that had the EXACT same Platform as The Tea.The Bushes,The Koch Brothers Family,JP Morgan&Many others are ALL on the Record for doing it,got some of Their assets seized under"Trading with The Enemy Act"in 1942,and are STILL being sued today by Holocaust Survivors Families for OWNING The Factories that used The Slave labor from the Camps to manufacture everything for the Nazi Regime including Munitions,defying an Executive order to Bomb Said Factories..indeed,if it walks Like Duck,Quacks like a duck,craps like a duck&has The Nazi Pedigree to prove it,it's a Fascist Theocratic Nazi Duck.To say we are in the Greatest Peril we have EVER been in,is an Understatement.We MUST get these Traitors thrown out.As I said above,it IS Possible to do it if we demand it,because the DAY they signed the Norquist Pledge,they willfully&Knowingly Violated The Constitution.There is a Petition coming out to do just THAT.Make SURE when it does,that you sign it&share it more than your own Kids baby Pictures.It's one of the LAST things we have to sop them,but ONLY if we DON'T back down!Let's remain Land of The Free not Land of fascist Theocracy!Obama/Biden&a STRAIGHT DEM Ticket2012!