Posted on 10/14/2006 9:32:42 AM PDT by technomage
In conservative circles, much is made of the lefts willingness to appease terrorists, to appease rogue states. And this what they are, appeasers.
But, the Republican party cannot be left off the hook. They too have become a party of appeasement.
For some time now, the Republicans, be it the leadership or individual congressman, have been trying the appeasement route with disasterous affects.
Republicans in Congress and leadership have themselves become the appeasers, trying to appease Congressional Democrats and the media.
They have gone the appeasement route with the liberals in the Congress. No matter the results, which were absolutely predictable, the Republicans just kept trying that appeasement approach. They tried, and are still trying, to be 'compassionate' when it came to the liberals in Congress. They tried, and are still trying, to 'work together' with the liberals in Congress.
Never mind that the more they tried this approach, the more emboldened their enemies, the liberals, became. The more the Republicans tried, and are still trying, the appeasement approach, the more emboldened their enemies, the liberals, have become. The enemy has seen the weakness and stepped up their ruthless attacks.
And the Republican response: Well, if we try harder to work with them, give them a little more, maybe they will start to like us. This approach, tried over and over, has now brought the Republican party to the brink. Yet, little or no change in direction, particularly from the Republican leadership.
The Republicans are also trying this approach with the media. They are actually trying harder as they want to be 'liked' by the media in order to get their face on TV. The approach with the media has been: Well, if I criticize other Republicans or the President, the media might like me more and I get more face time. No matter that the media savages Republicans, that the media lies and conspires to throw them out of power, the Republicans kept right on with their approach.
Then we have the Republican appeasement of fellow Republicans. One thing about Congress, if something tawdry, something not quite right, something just plain illegal, is going on, you can be assured that more than one or two people know. But, Republicans became more like Democrats: Just slap them on the wrist, just ignore the problem, do not rock the boat. In other words: appease the offenders. "You better stop that activity, oh and here is a seat on a committee". Business as usual for politicians.
No matter what happens this election, one thing must change: The current Republican leadership must either change course to true conservative principles, or the leadership must be changed. From the RNC, to Rove, to Haestert, things MUST change.
The leadership approach of moderation (which is just appeasement) has failed miserably and brought the Republicans to the brink. And because of this approach, if the Democrats win, the Republicans have also put the lives of every single American in serious jeopardy as the liberals approach of appeasement to terrorists and rogue states will get many of us killed.
The liberals and the media (one and the same) smelled the blood in the water many months ago and unlike the Republicans, decided to go for the kill. And they just might succeed. Republican leadership, particularly in the Senate, has been spineless. The more their spines melted, the more the Democrats attacked. With no real counterattack, the Republicans have brought themselves to the brink.
The Republicans also tried the appeasement approach with you and me, the base, the heartland. They gave us tax cuts, they gave us two Supreme Court justices (which may end up as a positive or negative), they gave lip service on the border. They apparently thought this was enough appeasement of the conservative base to keep things the way they are.
They were mistaken.
All Republicans, from the President on down, share responsibility for this historic collapse. We can blame the media, we can blame the liberals, we can blame those stupid peeples, we can even go so far as to label people who vote Democratic as traitors (which is idiotic and childish).
But the real blame lies with the Republicans themselves. The approach of turning from conservative principles to a more 'moderate, understanding' approach has failed, period.
If the Republicans do pull out this election, things MUST change. The Republicans are fortunate in one respect: That the other side, the liberal side, is so dangerous to our safety, that it actually gives the Republicans a small chance.
If the Democrats had a cohesive message, they would probably win in a landslide of historic proportions. But all the Democrats have is hate, immorality, hate, appeasement of rogue states, hate, envy, hate, appeasement of terrorists, hate, cut and run, hate, raise your taxes, hate. That approach is the only reason why the Republicans have at least a chance.
I sure hope the Republicans pull this one out. But if they do not, we cannot blame the voters, we cannot blame the media, we can blame the spineless, moderate, appeasement approach of the Republicans themselves.
Let us only hope that they get out of that inside the beltway Washington DC mentality and realize that the more important (and successful) approach is to stick with true conservative values. It is more important to do that then it is to be invited to uppity DC parties, more important than face time on TV, more important than 'taking care of' large donors.
No matter the outcome of this election, it is time for the Republicans to clean up their own house, to go back to conservative values. And that means some drastic changes in leadership and approach.
Technomage
Free Republic
How is Republican appeasement working for the Taleban, Saddam Hussein, Assad the lesser, Kim Jong Il, Islamic Fundamentalist, etc?
I believe you should re-read my post. Nowhere does it say, or imply, that Republicans have been appeasers to terrorists or rogue states. In fact, the post specifically mentions that it is the Democrats that do this.
I will blame the voters if they allow the Dems back in power
The gop is too intimiated by the leftwing establishment and give it too much credence and legitimacy. Many of them are the declared enemies of America, decency, national security, and freedom.
Leftists are similar to Islamists in that respect. "Winning hearts and minds" and other "compassionate" measures just isn't going to work with either of them. The best approach is all-out war without regard for casualties.
I agree with you totally. IMO, the GOP has no gonads and have, basically, rolled over in response to the untold amount of Liberal "slimeball" tactics since GW was elected. Where't their offense? All the Party has done is suck it up for years. Nice guys come in last!
Appeasement is the wrong word. Bush and company actually love big government. They know perfectly well what they are doing and would be doing even if the Democrats disappeared tomorrow. They love, indeed are, big brother.
A more pertinent group to ask would be the 12 to 20 MILLION illegals here sucking the life-blood from the lower-middle class, bankrupting hospitals and welfare systems, etc., etc., ad nauseum...
Agreed, R's have been mostly spineless in the Senate and ineffective in the House, but the Donks are much, much worse.
President Bush receives a C and not for his conservative efforts, mostly due to failure on the Immigration front, IMO.
By appeasing the Dems and the MSM, the GOP indirectly lends comfort to the terrorist...I think that's the point of the post. If the GOP loses either the House and/or Sen. this election, it will be because they've refused or been unable to get out and effectively fight for their positions.
You need a 2/3 majority to do whatever you please, and the reps have the MSM slashing them continually. Please spend time criticizing the dems and not just the reps.
The GOP establishment doesn't even pretend to be the party of small gov't anymore. Ever since Reagan left office the party platform has been all about "a kinder, gentler nation" and "compassionate conservatism." Long past time the GOP return to its roots.
In a larger sense, if the goal is to keep us safe in this hostile world, and we loose the political battle here to the Democrats, it makes no difference what we do in Iraq. Politics here at home is a major factor in keeping this country safe. Even if we win the war in Iraq, but loose the house, senate and white house to the Democrats, we are going to be far from safe.
I appreciate your response tkathy. The argument of a 2/3rds majority is moot. I have watched politics and the Republicans since 1980. It is the turn from strong conservative values to a more centrist moderate approach that has now put the Republicans in the position they are in. Reality is reality.
Oh, I have spent a great deal of time and numerous posts over the years severly criticizing the Dims, as I did in this post also.
It is unfortunate that you feel we cannot point out the flaws of the current approach and hope they can turn it around in time.
Very good points slowhand520. I agree.
Several people on FR have correctly pointed out that Islam has declared war on America, but America has not acknowledged that fact.
Similarly, the democrats have declared war on the republicans, but the republicans have not acknowledged that fact.
They need to.
Grab hold of something steady and don your flame retardant clothing, however. For the blindly faithful will come at you hard for questioning the power of the "Big R".
technomage, I agree!
Republicans are hardly acting like the majority party. Democrats seem much more united on many topics, and have suceeded in blocking so many conservative agenda items that the "majority" status seems almost worthless at times.
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