One constant theme of the meeting was of hate and outrage because of the Democratic majority in congress and our current president. Though I may disagree with the Democratic philosophy, I do respect the fact they won their elections. During Republican control we often played the part of the martyr. Every time we were attacked, we responded "typical Democratic move to attack the other side." We hinted to the idea we would never drop to their level. Now the tables have turned and so has our attitudes. This is part of Mr. Olsen argument, the party has begun changing for the worst.
I do not know Steve Olsen nor do presume to do so. But I agree the outrage and hate I am hearing from my own party has made it frustrating. Why does hate need to be theme of every meeting I attend or conversation I have? Why can't it be messages of optimism or strategy to improve the Grand Old Party.
Outrage has become the mother’s milk of movement conservatism. True believers can’t survive without their weekly dose of indignation.
Mr. Olsen sentences above are something that has really jumped out at me, for it is something I run into daily. Why is this hate so prevalent? I am reminded of what writer George Bernard Shaw said once, "Hatred is the cowards revenge for being intimidated." Is the reason for such hatred because of intimidation from the other side?
Don't get me wrong. I know vocal and forceful opposition is needed to help our cause grow. I am the first to criticize my leaders and say what I don't like, just read my blog. But there is a big difference between this and what I have seen as of late. I have seen people yell and scream about evil and Satan in government. How does this advance the party? How does this advance our cause? I love the party and am happy to be apart of it. Through college I considered myself a Democrat and moved more towards the middle as I moved to Ogden and a great man named Nolan Karras inspired me to full Republican membership. His spirit of working together and analyzing the situation for a better party and government is what has kept me going.
Our party needs to rise higher than before and stop hating if we are to succeed. Saying this is easier said then done. We may be losing great Republicans and even some soon to be Republicans because of our hate and outrage. Hate only spells failure in my book and I hope we are fighting for success.
5 comments:
Ben Joe: You watch to much MSNBC.... So does Mr Olsen.
I don't even know which channel is MSNBC. But then again, this is just how I see it from where I sit.
Nolan Karras was amazing. I saw Democrats re-register as republicans just to vote for him.
I am registered as a republican but I usually vote democrate I know call me crazy but I do agree with you. There is too much hate and I am glad that some one is recognizing it and calling it out. Just because you disagree doesn't mean either of you is filled with the devil or anything like that. My family is so diverse we can never talk about politics because it gets heated but I would never say one of my brothers or sisters is evil or I hated them. It should be the same with everyone we meet in government or any where.
You always say how I feel so well. I couldn't agree more.
I noticed that same entrenched hatred in the Democratic Party in the Bush years.
If you spent much time studying Marx, Chomsky, Lakoff and Marxian clowns, you would realize that the way one effectively uses hatred is to project it on to one's opponents.
The Bush-derangement-syndrome was probably worse than Obama-derangement. This is odd in that Bush was not seeking a radical make over of the country. The neocon gig was to make the social policies of the left work.
Obama ran on a platform of radical change. By nature, radical change platforms create a bigger reaction than the Bush model.
Despite the fact that Bush's actions were less likely to create a reaction, (on a national level) the Bush-Derangement Syndrome was much deeper than Obama derangement.
The reason for this illusion is that press spent a great deal of effort diverting attention from Bush-derangement but openly and gleefully reported on Obama-derangement.
One big difference that I notice between the Republicans and Democrats is that Republicans openly acknowledge, engage and try to stop nonsensical partisan hatred. Democrats seem more inclined to deflecting the hatred within their party to make it seem as if it came from their opponents.
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