The Republican Presidential Candidates are Wrong

The Republican candidates for President are generally unelectable … or at least they should be. It might be the saddest assemblage of candidates one party has ever put forward in all of American history. That might be a bit of an exaggeration, but just a bit. Think about it. First of all, anyone that doubts evolution or global warming shouldn’t be trusted with solving real problems. Science shouldn’t be seen as the enemy. Second, if you scream at the top of your lungs about government being big I can’t vote for you. Human beings have spent generations upon generations establishing governments. People all around the globe would kill to have a government like ours … and often do. The size of government doesn’t matter, its effectiveness and efficiency we should be focusing on. Third, if you scream at the top of your lungs about government being big and argue to end things like Planned Parenthood and NPR on that basis, then you shouldn’t use government to regulate who people sleep with or what they do with their bodies. That’s hypocritical … and a government that regulates bedrooms and altars is a big government. Fourth, presidential candidates, particularly those that associate themselves with the Tea Party, ought to have a good grasp of American history. That would include knowing that Paul Revere wasn’t warning the British, knowing that many of the founding fathers were slave owners, and being aware that the Constitution was written to increase federal power and not to restrain it. Fifth, a president has to be able to admit mistakes and work with folks who have different approaches to solving problems but are equally committed to doing what is best for America. Proclaiming your opposition to compromise isn’t a good start. Neither is blaming all your missteps on the media. Calling the current President a gangster isn’t so great either. Sixth, a President (or any elected representative) shouldn’t pledge not to use all the tools at their disposal to solve problems just because a vocal minority asks them too. Pledges not to raise taxes are just stupid. Seventh, a president should realize that all Americans aren’t Christians. Some Americans are …. (gasp) …. Muslims, and it might be a good idea not to proclaim your unwillingness to include them in your administration. Eighth, a president shouldn’t engage in making arguments based on fear, hate, and personal attacks. Focusing on the President’s vacation or attacking his associations with churches or radicals is a waste of our time. Putting political opponents in cross hairs on your web site is hardly productive. Calling people socialists or refusing to stand up and say that the President is an American citizen and a Christian and so what if he isn’t since it is the issue that matter is unfortunate at best. None of the Republican Presidential candidates is a serious candidate. Not a one. The sad thing is that many of us will vote for one of them anyway.