Recently, Tea Party candidates have been trounced in the primaries by traditional Republicans. That would be reason to shout, except traditional Republicans have been led so far right by the Tea Party, it’s doubtful voters could tell the difference. Most all Republican goals are the same as the Tea Party’s. Keep that in mind as you read this column.
Matt Bevin, who supports legalized cock fighting and dog fighting, was Kentucky’s Tea Party candidate for Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s senate seat. At a political rally supporting cock fighting, Bevin said, “I support the people of Kentucky exercising their right, because it is our right to decide what we want to do and not the federal government’s. Criminalizing behavior, if it’s part of the heritage of this state, is in my opinion, a bad idea.” Evidently, the Tea Party believes historical behavior, even bad behavior, should be legal.
Kentucky has as its heritage, a history of slavery, segregation, and secession from the Union. Bevin evidently believes it’s Kentucky’s right, if they choose, to return to slavery, or at least to the days of separate schools, restrooms, retail stores, restaurants, and cemeteries, to name a few. It’s the old states rights argument popular with segregationists during the 60‘s. Amazingly, Bevin got 36 percent of the Republican primary vote
Crassly put, the Tea Party’s goal is to castrate the federal government, ending federal regulation of just about everything, except women’s rights. The Koch brothers could do as they wish. Your mother couldn’t. The oil industry could drill anywhere at anytime, and build any pipeline anywhere they please. They would do away with the EPA, the Department of Energy, the Department of Education, and the Department of Commerce. Just ask Rick Perry.
They would like to privatize schools so they can teach religion instead of science. What climate change? Too heck with what 97 percent of the world’s scientists believe. Right? Privatization is key to the Tea Party plan to change America. They would end Social Security under the guise of privatization. Same for Medicare and Medicaid. They would end the food stamp program for the needy, end free meals for poor children in school, and end health care programs for needy children. Their “new” America tramples the poor. Paul Ryan’s budget is Chapter One of their plan.
Congressional and Senate Tea Party Republicans would repeal “every word of the Affordable Care Act.” You would not be able to carry your children on your health insurance until they reach age 26. Insurance companies could terminate your insurance anytime for any reason they want. You can forget about insurance if you have a previous medical condition. Some say they will keep all the good stuff but repeal the Affordable Care Act. Heck, the good stuff is the Affordable Care Act.
Extremists have told gullible people that “Obamacare” requires a microchip be placed in your body, so you can be identified by the government. They have also continued the falsehood that “Obamacare” will have death panels who will decide when you die. If they can find that in the ACA they’re welcome to repeal it. They spread this nonsense to discourage people from applying for affordable health insurance, hoping it will cause the ACA to fail. It‘s not working.
I don’t understand people in the red states, who are among the most needy, voting against their own interest. And I don’t understand women who still support the Republicans.
If you believe men should make more than women for doing the same work; if you want to abolish health clinics for needy women; if you want to outlaw any abortion; if you want to end Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid; If you want to phase out the minimum wage, and end extended unemployment benefits; if you don’t want any regulation of the health insurance industry; if you want public schools teaching religion, as in
Muslim countries; if you believe oil companies should be allowed to take your property for their use; if you don’t care about clean air or clean water; if you want the government to allow unrestricted and free use, of any kind, on public owned and protected land; if you want to discourage voting by minorities; if you believe it’s a good idea that everyone, except criminals, but including teachers, clergy and postal workers, should carry at all times, any weapon they may choose, including assault weapons; the Tea Party is just your cup of tea.
If you believe the more guns on the street the safer you will be, you’re not only wrong, but you could be dead wrong. Drink up.
Glen McAdoo, a Fallon resident, can be contacted at glynn@phonewave.net.