BAD PEOPLE

Missive Twelve
To My Darling Children

Here's the truth, my darling children.  The differences between Democrats and Republicans are the differences between right and wrong.

It's pretty simple, really.  Republicans want little or no government.  And so, they have always done all they can to starve it to death, with massive tax breaks for the wealthy and taxpayer-funded giveaways to big business.  They can't stand that the federal government has taken any of their money.  So, they want it back.

You see, they want to be able to make money without interference, with no governmental regulations or restrictions.  They don't want to answer to anyone, particularly Washington, as they build their wealth.

In order for them to grow that wealth, they need to keep wages low and benefits meager.

The bottom line is that the bottom line is all that matters to them.  It's their money, and they will decide how they get it, how they keep it, and how they'll use it.

They are on a crusade to stop funding any and all social safety nets, like Social Security and Medicaid.  They are on a mission to bring an end to worker pension funds.

They don't care if American workers lose their livelihoods and, in some cases, their lives, as they send jobs overseas for a pittance.

The only thing that gets their unbridled funding is an all-powerful military-industrial complex.  That's so they can wield their muscle around the world, maintain their hold on power and protect their monied, corporate interests.

If you were privileged enough, or clever enough, or lucky enough, or educated enough, or connected enough or unscrupulous enough to become wealthy, then you are in their club.  And club members look out for one another.

If you were underprivileged, uneducated, poverty-stricken, discriminated against, born into a cycle of despair or just plain unlucky, then you are really not their problem.  You are on your own.  They feel they owe you nothing, except charity.

Forget that institutional racism, sexism and classism have always been alive and well in this country.  Forget that hard-working people across this nation struggle with low-paying jobs, inadequate education, dangerous working conditions, no health care, crippling debt, diminishing opportunities, mortgage foreclosures and no savings for the future.

Republicans accept those poor souls as the price of doing business.  Let the churches feed and cloth those ne'er-do-wells with hand-me-down Republican threads.

But, do NOT tax the Republicans to provide a working government with laws to protect a decent minimum wage, universal health coverage, earned retirement, a safe and sustainable environment, worker rights and safety, an equal public education system, discrimination-free housing or a fair justice system. 

Those are the right things that Democrats work to build and maintain.

I no longer accept the argument that both Republicans and Democrats are good people, just with differing policies on how to tackle the problems of the world.  Bullshit.  Republicans who are out for themselves and who are complicit in allowing the less fortunate to fend for themselves are bad people - period.

The 40 most party-loyal House Republicans, according to the Washington Post.

Comments

[kim]

Here is what I don't understand David, why do lower middle class folks like my dad think the republicans walk on water? When I don't think they have their best interest at heart? Do they just agree with the religious element? the immigration lock down? The gun issue? Abortion issue? It is really a puzzle to me? ;0

hope you are well!
Kim