Some Sanity from a Republican

I just watched my local city council's meeting this week, courtesty of public access tv.

They were discussing allocation of public funds for agencies which help the poorest and neediest (as in those with mental handicaps) in our community.

The most a city in my state can allocate from these funds is 15%. My city allocates this maximum to helping the needy in my community.

Unfortunately, not all cities do.

One (Democratic) council member was talking about a food pantry program which also helps educate about composting and about "weird" foods...those contributions from health food stores which people might not be as familiar with...teaching how to use goats milk, etc.

The session closed with a Republican council member whose remarks I wish I could quote, but I'll have to paraphase them.

He said...it's important to remember what government is for. Government is not for any of us who sit up here on this council. If government has any purpose, it is surely for those in our community who are most needy, who are most vulnerable, most at risk.

Can you imagine such a remark coming from any Bushista? Can you imagine a Bushista thinking that govt is not to enrich his cronies, or favor his base who love to bash the poor and blame them for misfortune?

I cannot imagine how such a Republican as the man on my city council could vote for Bush, when you compare the actions of the one man vs. the other.

or he will get a "visit"

I have no difficulty imagining her making a remark like that.

A lot of Republicans are what I call "genetic" in that they grew up in a small town where everyone in their church, school, etc. was traditionally Republican.

BTW my mom got disgusted with the religious zealots' control over Republican politics here. About five years ago she joined the fastest-growing group of California voters - Declined To State which is Californi for non-partisan.

saying something like, "Look, the rich and powerful have all the breaks and the help they need, and the poor and disadvantaged don't. I figure, it's them I should be helping."

I wish I could find the exact quote.

...

who think that govt should be bankrupted, basically, so that we are all forced to seek out fundamentalists churchs if we are in need makes me want to puke.

and of course, then you get into the fundie line which harkens back to Old Testament and thinks it is perfectly moral for people in this country to become indentured servants as a way to "learn" how to be a productive member of society.

(That's one of the Reconstructionist's bright ideas, borrowed from pre-Enlightenment societies all over, in fact.)

When I read or hear one of those reich wingers who say that suffering is good for workers... I'm really glad I am not in the presence of such a person, because I would have a hard time not slapping the shit out of them.