by Norman Lafave

Created on: August 12, 2009

For the last decade, Republicans have claimed to be the moral, ethical, and patriotic vanguard of the nation. They have encouraged an image of their party as a strong soldier standing in front of the American family, wrapped in the flag, wearing the armor of righteous war, helmeted with the mantle of small government, and holding the bible like a holy shield. They have constructed this image with a unified strategy of patriotic speech-making, thirty second sound bites, attack ads, and a loyal system of media water-carriers. The Democrats, in their message, were socialists, liberals, and unpatriotic, against the concepts of family, church, and country.

This has been the worst demonstration of politics over statesmanship in the history of this country. There was a time not long ago that both parties could, despite their ideological differences, put animosity aside and construct legislation with respect and compromise. Those times seem to have been forgotten in a wave of partisanship. Now, when we desperately need our public officials to stand together and solve critical problems, the Republicans continue to play politics rather than compromise or formulate their own ideas. They have become the party of obstructionism. Even with the clear message of the last election, they seem unwilling to change their strategies.

Still, they continue to have their supporters, especially with conservative working-class citizens, the wealthy, and the religious right, many who are suffering more than anyone for their policy failures of the last eight years. The Republican message, based on misinformation, fanned by fear, and driven by political interest over statesmanship, seems to be able to sway many to their side of the aisle.

The question is...why?

A close examination of their speeches and message, contrasted with the reality of their policies, is eye-opening. Let's look at the hypocrisy of their claims in this light:

Republicans are the party of Christianity - Oh really. When did Jesus tell us to beat plowshares into weapons? Exactly when did he say that we should deny basic necessities to our fellow man? They have spent billions on a war with no clear purpose but can't seem to find the money to provide health care and basic needs to those who need it. Republicans have stood on the platform that the poor could get jobs if they really wanted them and supporting them would just

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