Secessionists
A Republican candidate for the state legislature from Conway sums up his party's position well: "Anything we can do to get government out of the way of the private sector I believe best enhances our economy."
In other words, get rid of wage and hour laws — let bosses pay their employees as little and work them as long as the bosses want. Let them hire children, and let them provide workplaces that cripple and kill with frequency. Abolish any regulations that keep banks from stealing their customers' money, or manufacturers from poisoning the air and the water. Do away with laws that prohibit discrimination in hiring, housing or anything else. Why should a rich man have to employ a member of a race he doesn't like?
The Republicans don't have a platform, they have a vendetta. Mike Lofgren writes in The American Conservative that the super-rich "have seceded from America," that they show a "palpable animosity" toward less privileged Americans and the public institutions they use. How else explain someone like the Koch Brothers?
The party's presidential candidate conspicuously avoids contact with common folk, preferring private fund-raisers with very wealthy people like himself. Here, he denounces the less fortunate, saying that 47 percent of Americans are dependent on government, consider themselves victims, and pay no taxes. "My job is not to worry about those people," he says. One of these days, when he's on his way to another closed meeting with millionaires, we may see an armed Romney firing from his motorcade, picking off poor people the way the Romneys of the 19th century slaughtered buffalo from moving trains.
Maybe all Republicans despise the poor and the middle class, but Republicans like Ronald Reagan managed to hide it. The new breed doesn't even try.
Latest in Editorials
-
Huck beats Rick
We now know for sure that screwy right-wing ex-governors of Arkansas make more sense than screwy right-wing incumbent governors of Texas. Political scientists had so theorized for some time; the point was proved over the weekend.
- Jun 20, 2013
-
Respect yourself
Announcing her candidacy for lieutenant governor, Dianne Curry said she considered running for the Second Congressional District seat and state auditor "before deciding lieutenant governor best fits her experience and abilities."
- Jun 20, 2013
-
Regnat Populus
hat Democracy is rule by the people was once considered self-evident in this country, but that changed with the Supreme Court's disastrous ruling in the Citizens United case.
- Jun 13, 2013
- More »
Event Calendar
-
Re: Scrapping the Fourth Amendment
I still haven't seen a statement from Tom Cotton about the NSA surveillance revelations and…
- on June 19, 2013
-
Re: Pryor and the politics of provincialism
Maybe. Depends on who his oppostition will be on the GOP side. I usually vote…
- on June 17, 2013
-
Re: Pryor and the politics of provincialism
So Steven, does that mean you'll be voting for Pryor in the next election?
- on June 17, 2013
Site Index
News
Cover Story / Arkansas Reporter / The Week That Was / Smart Talk / The Insider / The Observer / Editorial / Max Brantley / Ernest Dumas / Gene Lyons / Bob Lancaster / Words / Guest Writer / Letters
Entertainment
A&E Feature / To-Do List / In Brief / Movie Reviews / Music Reviews / Theater Reviews / A&E News / Art Notes / Graham Gordy / Books / Media / Dining Reviews / Dining Guide / What's Cookin' / Calendar / The Televisionist / Movie Listings / Gallery Listings
This Week's Cover
Quick Links
Special Publications
RSS
Facebook
Twitter
