Morals and Ethics

While I was reading over at the Daily Kos (which is a great web blog that I reference a lot), I came across this little tidbit.

There's probably no more succinct expression of this than a personals ad a friend of mine pointed out to me recently. It was posted by a "GOP single" who said she was looking for another Republican so she could be sure of finding someone who shared "her morals and ethics."

Those of us that identify as progressive and members of the Democratic Party, are simply amazed that a person could say that, and mean it. We collectively shake our head in amazement. Those two words "morals" and "ethics" are extremely powerful. Most people want to be moral and ethical. The truth of those words are irrelevant. It is the message that is important.

There is a mind set in this country that links the Republican Party, to the words "moral and ethical". A lot of it has to do with the rise of Newt Gingrich, and the religious right wing. Remember the "Contract with America"? But what they say, has nothing to do with what they do. It becomes lodged in the psyche of uniformed people who like the idea that they can be moral and ethical simply by getting a Republican party membership card.

But, then - Newt dumped his wife while she was dying of cancer in the hospital. He was having an affair with a married woman at the time. Shh shh.. don't say that.. remember moral and ethical.. We can't let Joe American know we're a bunch of lying sacks of shit. Newt's considering a run for President in '08 by the way.

So, what I'm saying is, the Republican party is not the "moral and ethical" party. They just play one on TV. The problem we're having now is that seems to be perceived as truth, and conventional wisdom. Finding a way to reverse it is a huge hurdle, and it's quite possible the war is already over before we figured out we needed to fight.

I'm extremely depressed and saddened by the lack of intellectual curiosity of the Average American. I mean, I know I could never run for political office after what I've written. Most people are stupid, therefore a politician has to win the "stupid vote", and you don't win the stupid vote by calling them stupid as I have. Honestly, I've bagged on Joe American time and again for being just a stupid and lazy human being. But, that is the truth. Joe American has convinced himself that the Republican party is somehow moral and ethical, and the Democratic party is somehow a bunch of pot smoking, homo loving, god hating liberals.

I really struggle to come up with a solution. The Democratic leadership seems to want to solve the problem by co-opting the Republican position. Hence you see people like Joe Lieberman running for President as a Democrat, when he is more Republican than many Republicans. The Democrats are swinging (so to speak) to the right and pandering to the ignorance of Joe American.

There's only so much fighting we can do. We can only put the information out there and hope Joe suddenly takes an interest in things outside of work and NASCAR, and a sound bite on the 6 o'clock news. But I will be damned if I will support the Democratic party trying to become the same as the Republican party. We are not the same. I'd rather go down in flames politically then give in.

So Suzi is looking to date a Republican so she can have her morals and ethics, when in fact what she really wants is an ideal she's been told she's supposed to have. And, when it doesn't quite turn out that way.. when Joe sits on the couch pounding brewskis and demanding she make him a pot pie, it'll be time for her vodka and oxycotin (Rush Limbauh's drug of choice). That will be her life of morals and ethics.

The bottom line is, I don't disparage someone from wanting to lead a moral and ethical life. My life is very moral and ethical. I'm as liberal as they come - but then I've never been arrested, unlike our President who was convicted of a DUI. I've never been a drug addict, unlike our President who was a huge coke fiend. I've never even been divorced (though that's not really fair for me to claim as a moral). I don't hate, unlike the Republican party that wants to strip gay people of rights, bomb brown people, and ostracize non-Christians.

Well, I do hate - but I just hate the haters. That's the moral and ethical thing to do.

And so, when the Republicans point their finger at me and claim moral superiority, I know the truth in this world is much different. I will carry this disdain for Joe and Suzi stupid-lazy-uninformed American until they prove to me they have a damn clue about truth.

Republican's have twisted morals and ethics into their platform of hatred. I hate them back.


p.s., to anybody reading this and got upset.. no I'm not talking about you.. 'k? Joe American is just an "average" of a lot of people. I know there are some informed and bright Republicans... like.. um.. Karl Rove..