Commentary: Rush Limbaugh, leader of the GOP?

I realize Rush Limbaugh has a large audience (20 million?). One wonders why so many have so little to entertain themselves that they find satisfaction in listening to a second rate, cult-like comedian. He is filled with loathing and self-hate.

I've heard him talk about women whose views he doesn't like (perhaps most women) as "feminazis." He tacks on the verge of racism and sometimes even enables others to be racist who are more overt and less politically savvy than he. Of course, he has a large AM microphone and uses it to excoriate all Democrats and any political figures who disagree with him.

I saw Limbaugh on TV when he gave his address to the Conservative Political Action Committee (CPAC). He was dressed in black, shirt opened, bouncing around on stage, presumably to emphasize his "rock star" status. He promptly called for President Obama to fail. He didn't sound very patriotic to me.

Rush Limbaugh was in a rage. He claimed President Obama was taking the country down the road of damnation (socialism). A strange charge " we have 45 million people without health insurance, and another 12 million who have inadequate health insurance. Nevada's unemployment is at 10 percent and growing; people are losing their homes through foreclosure. Our savings and retirements are in a state of collapse. We elected President Obama to help us solve these problems. He is trying hard.

Limbaugh suggests the president is taking us into European-style socialism, like the French.

France, by the way, is a democratic, free nation. The French have universal health care, comprehensive government-supported educational opportunities, and nationally funded pension plans for all their citizens, although they, too, are suffering in this economy and may have to make some changes. France has a strong "social safety net" and its citizens are satisfied with government services and are willing to pay for them with higher taxes.

We, too, may have many citizens in our nation who might be willing to pay more taxes for more comprehensive government-guaranteed human services.

There is no freedom in poverty. There is no liberty in poor health.

There is now incessant chatter on the airwaves that Rush has become the leader of the Republican Party. There is a leadership vacuum and he may fill it. I hope not. Other Republicans have much more to contribute to the current national debate about health care, the economy and education.

I believe in a strong two party system. Let's work together, civilly, if we are to recover from the current crisis and look for ways to better support all of our citizens.

- Dr. Eugene T. Paslov, former Nevada Superintendent of Schools, is a board member for Silver State Charter School.