Operation Endless Hypocrisy

I tried to stay away from it. God knows I tried to avoid it. With just about every other post in the blogosphere dedicated to politics, I tried to steer clear. But it's just not possible anymore. I've got to point out the incredible manipulation of reality that the GOP is promoting. Yes, you've got it, I'm talking about the new media darling, Gov. Sarah Palin...

Let me begin by saying I used to like John McCain. I appreciated his much-hyped Maverick reputation and the fact that he not only was a man of his word (an increasingly rare trait in this day and age), but also that he really didn't play partisan politics. But now, in the wake of his selection of Mrs. Palin as his running mate, he has sounded a death knell. That death knell rings either for the death of his campaign, should voters think clearly, or else it rings for the death of the greatness of our country.

So, in this tiny little backwater of the web, I'll lay out this case, which hopefully, will make at least one or two people realize the folly of the Republican political machine.

Let's talk about what I like to call "Operation Endless Hypocrisy", or the foolish choice of Palin as VP, run in conjunction with criticisms of Obama.

#1. executive experience: Obama was a member of the Illinois state senate, prior to serving the U.S. Senate. His constituency in both of these positions is greater than the total of people in Alaska, Palin's governorship of which is pointed to as proof of her experience. Additionally, his position with the state senate was representing Chicago, one of the largest, most cosmopolitan cities in the country. Compare with Palin's experience as mayor of tiny Wasilla, Alaska, a town unknown prior to last week's convention.

#2. family values: Lots of ignorant Americans remain convinced that Barack Obama is secretly a closet Muslim and terrorist supporter. These same rednecks often point to family values as a key to their continued support of the far-right wing agenda of the GOP. I've only got one argument here: 17-year old unwed pregnant Bristol Palin. If good parenting is the solution to our social problems, then where the hell was Sarah when her daughter was getting knocked up? Now I know this is a cheap shot, kids will be kids, and they're going to have sex no matter what, but the point I raise is: if this were Joe Biden's daughter, do you think Hannity, Limbaugh, O'Reilly, et al, would so readily overlook this? Granted, those blowhards and bullies are as relevant to real political discussion as Burger King is to a discussion of fine dining, but the fact remains; it's a double standard.

#3. political ties: Surely we all remember the shit storm that Obama's affiliation with Rev. Jeremiah Wright stirred up. Wright, and Obama by proxy, was referred to as a black radical and a racist. Compare if you will, Palin's past membership in the Alaska Independence Party, which actively advocates seceding from the Union. Would we so willingly turn a blind eye to a vice-presidential candidate who advocated a revival of the Confederacy?

#4. corruption: One thing I've always liked about Obama is his transparency. He openly admits to experimenting with drugs and other youthful indiscretions, and is presented as an open book. Now examine the rumors surrounding Palin's leadership, full of abuses of power and politically-motivated firings. Rumors? Yes. Alarming? Yes.

#5. Non-partisanship: Senator McCain was once known for crossing party lines to support legislation he believed in, legislation he knew was best for his constituents. But now, by selecting Palin as his running mate, he has pandered to the far right, to the tragic few who still support President Bush. He has selected a neo-con as his partner, and has adjusted his rhetoric to mirror this. Gone is the maverick, in his place we have another Bush clone, deservedly earning him the overused nickname "McSame". Now examine Obama. In his short term in the U.S. senate, he has put his name on several bills crossing the aisle, including the Coburn-Obama Act and the Lugar-Obama Act.

#6. spending: I'd rather have a tax-and-spend Democrat than a tax-cut-and-create-deficits Republican any day. When will people learn? The "fiscal conservatives" are nothing but personally wealthy spend-thrifts.

It appears, dear America, that the GOP is once again relying on the ignorance and pettiness of the American voter. They've assumed that by providing McCain with a running mate with female genitalia, they'll win over all the disaffected Hillary supporters. Come election time we must show them, we are tired of leadership that benefits only the wealthy. Don't drink the GOP kool aid... Obama-Biden in '08

http://brianrulestheworld.blogspot.com/2008/09/operation-endless-hypocrisy.html