Let's talk about replacing GWBush in 2004.

Among the more amusing cluckings from the right lately is their appalled discovery that quite a few Americans actually think George W. Bush is a terrible president.

Robert Novak is quoted as saying in all his 44 years of covering politics, he has never seen anything like the detestation of Bush. Charles Krauthammer managed to write an entire essay on the topic of "Bush haters" in Time magazine, as though he had never before come across such a phenomenon.

Oh, I stretch memory way back, so far back, all the way back to -- our last president. Almost lost in the mists of time though it is, I not only remember eight years of relentless attacks from Clinton-haters, I also notice they haven't let up yet. Clinton-haters accused the man of murder, rape, drug-running, sexual harassment, financial chicanery and official misconduct, and his wife of even worse.

For eight long years, this country was a zoo of Clinton-haters. Any idiot with a big mouth and a conspiracy theory could get a hearing on radio talk shows, "Christian" broadcasts and nutty Internet sites. People with transparent motives, people paid by tabloid magazines, people with known mental problems, ancient Clinton enemies with notoriously racist pasts -- all were given hearings, credence and air time. Sliming Clinton was a sure road to fame and fortune on the right, and many an ambitious young right-wing hitman -- like David Brock, who has since made full confession -- took that golden opportunity.

I expect to see many, many replays of "top gun" by the dems.

At the point Bush inherited the Iraq situation, Saddam was calling the shots. He is no longer.

The Rise of the Religious Right in the Republican Party

State of Texas GOP Platform, 2002

"The Republican Party of Texas reaffirms the United States of America is a Christian Nation ..."

State of Texas GOP Platform, 2002

Introduction

When the Texas Republican Party Platform was released, an article in the Houston Chronicle characterized the document as something written by religious zealots who did not represent the true Texas Republican Party. The article pointed out how Republican candidates were distancing themselves from the Party Platform, especially its call to abolish bilingual education in a state with a large Hispanic population. It's a mistake to take the document lightly, or dismiss its authors as marginal. Other state GOP Platforms reflect the same values, and whether or not the writers of the document are marginal or a minority, the fact that they've moved into positions where they can actually write a party platform for the second most populous state in the country is very significant.

Pat Robertson pointed out in his book The Millennium, 1990, "With the apathy that exists today a well organized minority can influence the selection of candidates to an astonishing degree." Since George Bush has become President, the "well organized minority" is no longer merely selecting candidates. They are actually running the federal government. The Texas State GOP Platform gives us a glimpse into the values and ideals of the Religious Right and the kind of government they want.

Highlights of the Texas GOP Platform, 2002

"The Republican Party of Texas reaffirms the United States of America is a Christian Nation ..."

1. GOVERNMENT

"We reclaim freedom of religious expression in public on government property, and freedom from government interference."

Support government display of Ten Commandments.

Dispel the "myth" of the separation of church and state.

"A strong and vibrant private sector [should be] unencumbered by excessive government regulation"

Oppose Campaign Finance Reform

Oppose any form of gun control

Abolish:

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms;
position of Surgeon General;
EPA;
Department of Energy;
Department of Housing and Urban Development;
Department of Education;
Department of Commerce and Labor;
National Endowment for the Arts

2. ECONOMY

Abolish the dollar in favor of the gold standard.

Abolish the IRS

Eliminate income tax, inheritance tax, gift tax, capital gains, corporate income tax, payroll tax and property tax.

Repeal minimum wage law.

" ... gradually phase out Social Security tax" for a system of "private pensions"

3. UNITED NATIONS

" ... we immediately rescind our membership in, as well as all financial and military contributions to the United Nations."

We should " ... evict the United Nations from the United States and eliminate any further participation."


4. FAMILY

"We believe that traditional marriage is a legal and moral commitment between a man and a woman. We recognize that the family is the foundational unit of a healthy society and consists of those related by blood, marriage, or adoption. The family is responsible for its own welfare, education, moral training, conduct, and property."

"The practice of sodomy tears at the heart of our society..." "The party oppose[s] decriminalization of sodomy."

Oppose all forms of abortion - even in cases of rape or incest.

"We unequivocally oppose United States Senate ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child."

5. EDUCATION

Support official prayer in public schools

Oppose Early Childhood Development Programs

"We support ... a program based upon biblical principles..."

Terminate bilingual education

"Since Secular Humanism is recognized by the United States Supreme Court as a religion ... Secular Humanism should be subjected to the same state and federal laws as any other recognized religions."

6. THE ENVIRONMENT

Oppose the "myth" of global warming

Reaffirm "the belief in the fundamental right of an individual to use property without governmental interference"

Oppose EPA management of Texas air quality

7. THE MIDDLE EAST

" ... Jerusalem is the capital of Israel ... " therefore, the United States should move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.