by Jim Markley

Created on: February 05, 2009   Last Updated: February 22, 2009

Should Rush Limbaugh be arrested for treason? Yep, probably. To have a radio-host come out and say that he hopes the new President fails is ridiculous. It is tantamount to saying that he hopes that our economy fails. When an American citizen actually roots for economic ruin to further his own political beliefs something is wrong with that picture. it is the selfish pig-headed thought process of a man who puts the Republican Party before our nation. That he clearly stated his position, with a smile and a wink is even more detestable. He is clearly a menace to clear thinking pragmatists of both parties.

While Barack Obama attempts to forge a new spirit of cooperation on Capital Hill, it would be nice if the partisan politics of the past could be put aside for the betterment of the country. A wedge driven deeply between two blocks splits them irrevocably, Limbaugh is such a wedge. Perhaps a more salient term would be "wedgie" , as in deeply embedded in a bad place and causing extreme discomfort. Such a place of honor is befitting for Rush.

Limbaugh appeals to the baser instincts of the far right. The far left is no better. Our hope for the future is a joint effort connecting the "middle 60%" of the country who can reach to the left or right and find common ground, not an enemy to disparage. Checks and balances along with compromise for the common good would go a long way toward defusing the power inherent in Limbaugh's brand of hatred. If we allow people to demonize those with differing views it will be impossible to look across the aisle and work together. There HAS to be good people in BOTH parties who could help the common good. Isn't that why politicians serve? It should be.

Rush Limbaugh has great influence and power. Sadly, he has no sense of responsibility for how he uses it. By suggesting that all Republicans distance themselves from President Obama's recovery package he is doing the political equivalent of screaming fire in a crowded theater. I don't want them to listen to Rush and then have the economy collapse, just to say "I told you so". That would make me as bad as Limbaugh, heaven forbid.

Words can be powerful swords. While we are protected by freedom of speech, such freedom comes with a price, responsibility. While Limbaugh runs ragged through a rag-tag patch of right-wing punditry belching forth platitudes of racist coated "truths' hidden within his rhetoric, the rest of us sadly look on. The real losers are the young people who are drawn to this intolerant man. They are the ones doomed to parrot his views and further weaken our ability to ever work together.

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