The Dustbin Of History

Yesterday, John Boehner whined to his minions that he believes President Obama is intent on “annihilating” the Republican Party and shoving it onto the “dustbin of history”. Odd that he should misquote his Lord and Savior, Ronald Reagan, who said that freedom and democracy would relegate Marxism to the “ash bin of history”, but the implicit comparison of totalitarian Marxism to today’s Republican Party is apt. Both ideologies are disastrous failures. Republicans cling to “ideas” that don’t work, that have damaged our country, and that the majority of Americans have rejected. The Republican Party is doing an excellent job of annihilating itself without any help from President Obama.

Last Monday, President Obama gave an outstanding Inaugural Address. Republicans have criticized it – surprise! – for being “pedestrian”, “partisan”, “divisive”, “radical” and – worst of all – “liberal”. What crybabies. Imagine the President articulating a vision for the country on which he campaigned and which was the basis for his election! What arrogance! This was the speech I’ve been wanting to hear from Obama for years now.

This was the Obama I have supported since 2006. The speech was relatively short and here’s what it called for:

1. A vibrant infrastructure to facilitate commerce.
2. Quality schools and universities to equip our youth for the 21st Century.
3. A free market, regulated to ensure competition and fair play.
4. Care for the vulnerable and those struck by the worst hazards and misfortunes life may randomly visit on each of us.
5. A strong middle class.
6. Genuine equality of opportunity.
7. Equal rights and equal pay irrespective of race, gender, religion or sexual orientation.
8. Reform of the tax code.
9. Reform of our education system.
10. Protection of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
11. Addressing the threats posed by climate change.
12. Development of sustainable energy alternatives to oil.
13. Protection of the environment.
14. A foreign policy that emphasizes diplomacy, global alliances and participation in international organizations rather than one of perpetual war.
15. An immigration policy that provides a path to citizenship for those already here who are productive, law-abiding members of society and that encourages immigration of the best and the brightest from other countries.
16. Sensible regulation of firearms to keep our children safe from tragedies like the one at Newtown, CT.
17. Government action to accomplish those things individuals cannot do for themselves, such as creating a modern infrastructure for the country, defending the country, training the teachers and scientists needed for America to succeed, while acknowledging our national skepticism of centralized authority. He expressly celebrated individual initiative and enterprise along with hard work and personal responsibility.

The President expressed concern over a system where “a few do very well and a growing many barely make it”, which describes the past 30 years in America.

As you read this prescription for America’s future, keep in mind that Republicans have opposed every attempt by President Obama and the Democrats to achieve this vision for America. No wonder Republicans fear annihilation.

When they appear on this weekend’s Sunday morning talk shows to snivel about Obama’s Inaugural Address, I hope the moderators run through the elements of President Obama’s vision for America and ask Republicans to explain their opposition. And when they change the subject – which I guarantee they will do – to complain that Obama didn’t talk about the deficit or jobs, point out that Republicans created the deficit, have opposed increasing revenues to reduce it, and have voted unanimously to oppose the American Jobs Act because it would be a “success” for Obama. The “real” ideology of today’s Republican Party is simply to prevent government from working. They deserve to be shoved onto the dustbin of history.