This is one of those blog postings that I really do not like have to write. However, because I am a non-partisan blogger and someone who just comes down on the side of common sense — I feel that this needs to be said.
Folks, I am going to set it straight to you. There are parts of the Republican Party that I simply disagree with, because what some of these people think is just damned wrong.
Last night, I had an altercation with some idiot on twitter. Who is obviously someone who is not in the majority of the GOP. I happen to see this come by my twitter stream last night:
To which I replied:
To which he replied:
Now my friends, this, I am afraid is not an excusable offense. Now, I do realize that not everyone in the GOP/Tea Party/Conservatism feels this way. However, this is not the first time I have seen this said among Conservatives. Let me be clear about this; if this continues to be a prevailing thought within the Tea Party/Conservative movement/Republican Party — you will see me switch sides and vote for whomever is the primary challenger for Barack Obama. I am terribly sorry folks; but this one hits very hard and much at home with me. I did not come from a family of privilege; I came from middle class family. My father is a retired General Motors worker; he made like 60,000 a year and gave 31 years of his life to that company, who did treat him very well. My parents played by the rules, were very responsible with their money, and paid into the social security fund for all their working lives. If anyone deserves to get social security — it is my Mother and Father.
Then, there is my aunt Martha; bless her heart — born into this world with something she had no control over — mental retardation. She collects social security – gets it from her late father, who worked himself into an early grave, at General Motors, so that she would be taken care of. She cannot even care for herself and my family cannot afford to pay her doctor bills and support her entirely themselves. I ask you, as fellow Americans — is it fair to make people like my parents and my aunt to suffer? Is that the ultimate goal of the Republican Party/Tea Party/Conservative movement — to shove people like my parents and my aunt into the street and say, “Fend for yourself?” Really? Is it?
Because if it is, please let me know now — because, frankly; if it is, I really do not want to be associated with those who are that damned cruel of people.
Believe me when I tell you; I understand that entitlements need to be reformed. I understand that spending is a problem. However, to punish those who worked all their lives for a little bit of support in their golden years and those born with conditions that were beyond their control, I am sorry to say is just downright asinine. Frankly, if that is the ultimate goal of the parties listed, I do not want to be part of that anymore. I am not a Barack Obama fan, never was; but I cannot be a part of a bunch of people who are just downright heartless. I know I will never, most likely anyhow — get any social security — however, I just do not like the idea of punishing those who are entitled to it now. That, my friends, is just more than I can bear to handle.
Again, I realize that this was one person’s opinion. However, I fear the worst and that is just something that I cannot agree with — sorry if anyone is disappointed – but my family comes first and politics second. When the people that I happen agree with want to hurt my family; something is terribly wrong, I will defend them, and people like them, to my dying breath. Frugalness is one thing, cruelty is another and I will never side with that, ever.
I have also come across those sorts of jerks on “our” side, and all I can say is that they are dicks. I agree with you and while I won’t leave the GOP, I damned sure would not support or associate with anyone who is an ass like the asses you wrote about in your great post.
Thanks Zilla. I’m not sure that would “leave”, but that really sent me into a rage.
Again, thanks.
-Pat
Slowly, I think the conservative movement is coming to a more compassionate stand on these issues. As the left wing starts to ration care and uses poverty as an excuse to push abortion, as the view that it’s cheaper to abort than support is used as an excuse to force abortion, the left wing becomes more hard nosed about supporting the needy, and the right wing softens up a little. This trading of positions is nothing new. If you look at the history of the left and right through the centuries, it has switched several times that way.
Hello Patrick,
I read your great post and know where you’re coming from. But where to start?
The issue of taking care of our most vulnerable people (like your aunt and parents) has had me very alarmed ever since the Ryan Plan was introduced earlier, so I’ve been reading and searching and reading some more. I’m still very alarmed by what I’ve found. What I’ve been able to piece together so far, is that there is indeed a movement that wants to end SS, Medicare, and Medicaid, plus virtually every other social safety net program than aids people. This is going on under the radar in the many conservative think tanks funded and directed by some very wealthy libertarian minded business people. They honest to God could care less about others.
What I’ve wondered all along, is what can these people be thinking? What do they think will happen to the millions who can’t provide for themselves without help? Well…….they do have at least one plan that I’ve found so far. Have you ever heard of “Filial Responsibility” laws? They’re still on the books in thirty states, and what they do is make adult children legally responsible for the care and well being of their parents if they can’t care for themselves. Some states widen out to include siblings and grandparents. These laws are almost never enforced now, but this is the future if the programs we have now are gutted. The implications of this really scare me, because it will be the end of the middle class.
The big three have been a huge boon to average families, because it has meant that instead of using resources on parents, they have been free to invest in their own children. It would mean the end of being able to place a parent with Alzheimers in a nursing home. Who can afford the $70K and up annually for private payers at a nursing home?
The ugly attitudes such as the guy you came across isn’t all that rare. I don’t know where these people come from, but there is a definite segment out there who care for no one but themselves and really don’t care about the rest of society. They are the “Ive got mine, so screw you crowd”. They consider anyone needing medicare etc as a parasite in their world. Ugh. This is so disgusting, we need to care for others in our society…..who wants to live like a pack of hyenas?
I’ve been thinking hard about all this, and for me, the solution is that I intend to put aside whatever I think of Obama and vote for him in 2012. I won’t risk a third party protest vote and end up with a Republican. I have a sick gut feeling that if that happens, we will definitely see either end or crippling of SS, Medicare, and Medicaid to satisfy the big money who funded them. I’m going to take the safe route for now and hope that this push to get rid of these programs either fails or ends. Presidents come and go and it’s four years……….ending security for our parents and others would be far more damaging than one president I disagree with.
Thanks, Linda
With all due respect ma’am; that is just something I could never do and that is vote for Obama. For the record, I do not believe that all Republicans are this way, just a few of them. But I will never vote for a President, who feels he is entitled to be President because he is black. Further more, I will never vote for a President; who’s Pastor says “God Damn America.”
I respect your opinions however, and think you for sharing your feelings. even if I do not agree with them at all.
Thanks Patrick……..that’s how it should be instead of calling names…..or worse. :>)
As I said, I’ve decided, based on what I feel very sure will happen (how many congress critters committed to the Ryan Plan?) and to vote for Obama. Just thinking of what you said, the intention of getting rid of these critical programs is another way of saying “God damn America” in my mind at least.
Not long ago I watched a video of a Rep back in his district (it was somewhere in the south) holding a townhall. An older woman worried about Medicare asked him about it. His answer was “when are you people going to take care of yourself instead of asking taxpayers to do it for you?” Yikes, I felt sick that anyone would feel that uncaring toward an elderly woman. How on earth does he think a lower income person could EVER save enough money during their working years to pay astronomical medical bills? Impossible. I feel that if that attitude is encouraged with votes, it will remain…..I want to send a message that I want it gone.
But anyway, we all have to search ourselves to decide what we think is right, and then act accordingly. I know you will do that.
God Bless, and thanks for listening.
Linda