Yes, the Republican Party has become subservient to the RR to the point now where legitimate legislative issues are shoved aside in favor of dealing with those issues of importance to only a small segment of society. Look at the 109th. Could they manage to put together a comprehensive immigration bill? How about energy independence? Social Security reform? Tax reform? Balancing the budget?
But they had time to debate and vote on ridiculous constitutional amendments having no real meaning or need at all. They spent substantial time debating stem cell research; they even met in a special session called by the President to direct the judiciary to "investigate" the Terri Schiavo situation. They complained about the Democrats filibustering the President's nominations but one of the RR favorites, Brownback managed two holds himself for nothing but religious concerns. Oh, and let's not forget the prayer in school debates and the current debate over creationism and evolution. And while I'm not in favor of cloning, it hardly requires anywhere near the congressional attention it got...at the expense of real issues. There's more, but you get the idea.
These issues and more kept the Republicans from achieving anything meaningful, and that, I would classify as a stranglehold.
Nor is it just pandering. Yes, congress-critters do a lot of that, but when it became the sum total of their work, they needed the beating they took in November.
I mean, all you sane people in the Republican party just have to mouth meaningless conservative talking points and wink at us pesky whackos on the right and we'll vote for you'uns. We're easy. We've proved that over and over. Just humor us and we'll vote for you. You don't have to actually do anything conservative. Just play one for the elections.
Yes, we tend to need you, but the fact is you need us a lot more than we need you. If we get a reasonable ticket next year that reflects a solid conservative philosophy of a strong national defense, a balanced budget, a willingness to include the other side in major legislative initiatives, turning around the size of government, and a recognition that the social makeup of society has changed and that all Americans are welcomed into the Republican Party, then you go ahead and vote for Hillary...or some meaningless minor party candidate. It will make no difference.
But if those here like you can recognize that most of the issues of importance to you have little to do with the presidency, but a lot to do with the judiciary, then you will put these petty concerns aside and realize that our Country will be far better off with a mainstream candidate than it will with Hillary as president.
Good post.
One qualifier: Bush didn't ask them to hold a special session for Terri Schiavo; that was all there pander.....er, doing.
In the midst to cowering to the minority, we got bridges to nowhere, and virtual border fences thanks to the 109th!