Reply #74: Yes, sadly, the loonies are in charge

[MO_Dem]

It's only my opinion, but I think the republicans have somehow awakened a "sleeping giant" by going into the churches. I think a lot of these people never gave politics a second thought before. They were absorbed in their churches and not much else mattered to them, but something has convinced them that religion and politics are the same thing--sort of like the mantra I hear some preachers on TV spouting "we're taking America back". Most of them never voted before, unless a neighbor or family member was running for local office. Being a "God fearing American" has become the fashionable thing to be, and politicians are cashing in big time. Seems like politicians are each trying to outdo the next in their "right-wingedness". Especially the really ambitious ones that have a great desire to move on up to federal office. And with our stupid term-limits, the ones that work the hardest are the ones that are planning to run for higher office as soon as establish their "bona fides". And now that the fundie church members are payint attention and voting, they are winning.

I think it started here in the '02 election, when voter turnout went way up, and of course, the republicans pretty much won everything. During off year elections, we never had to stand in line to wait to vote, but that year there was a huge turnout. Standing in line, I overheard several older ladies talking back and forth about how many phone calls they'd got from "George" and "Laura" and "Barbara", etc. I think they knew deep down that they were recorded calls, but still somehow felt so flattered that they got the calls.

My guess is that none of these people want social security "messed with", weren't for the war, would vote for "tax the rich" in a NY minute, etc., but their "morals" have overtaken there better sense and probably have convinced themselves that God won't let anything happen that they are against.

Most of them never knew, and never will know, anyone that is gay, so it is very easy for them to get outraged about those "activist judges that are out to corrupt our morals" by allowing gay marriage. That's probably true with a lot of other issues, too. If something doesn't affect them or their families, they are perfectly willing to be strongly against it.

The saddest part is that they are so busy congratulating themselves for "saving America", they don't notice the economic realities of the rich getting richer and poor getting poorer and all the misery that will bring to most all of us.

Well, sorry for the rant! Seems like you opened up my "floodgate" of frustrations. It really has gotten a little scary wondering just how far this can go. Sometimes I think I know how scary it must have been during the height of McCarthyism.