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In this post, there are images that have been circulated by Tea Party and GOP voters. Simply, they are disgusting. My reason for including them is to confront those who still believe that racism is not an issue in today's society. It is also a reminder for those who identify with the Republican platform: THIS is the image that many have of your party. If you are a Republican and are as offended by this as much as I am, then you can and should do something about it! We all should.

The GOP has an image problem: Many people believe that they are judgmental, intolerant and narrow-minded.

Certainly, there are very good and moral people within the Republican Party. Some of my dearest friends identify as Republican and I can state with 100% certainty, that they are as sensitive about unfair treatment and prejudices as I am. But because of their political affiliations, they are being judged and labeled as bigots nonetheless.

Is it fair? No. As a Democrat, I fight against stereotypes and labels. It is my belief that no one should ever be classified because of a demographic that they may fall into.

But on the other hand, are they making every effort to stand against those who have earned the Republican Party this reputation? Are they shouting over the voices who foster this shameful conduct? Are they insisting that this is unacceptable?

I worked (very briefly) at a business where the office manager was never shy with her opinions. Either no one ever told her that it is a bad idea to discuss politics at work, or she didn't care: She hates Barack Obama and wants the world to know it! And once she learns that you don’t hate him or even worse, *gasp* voted for him: – Well, like I said. It was a brief job.

On one occasion, she accused The President of treason and said he should be impeached and arrested. When I asked for an example of The President’s “treasonous actions” I received a misinformed and disconnected argument about health care and states’ rights. She had no understanding of how the ACA worked and I certainly wasn’t going to be able to convince her otherwise.

I asked for other reasons as to why she hated him so much, hoping to understand why she possessed such a deep loathing for this man. I got the “liberal agenda” speech, that’s been told and rehashed ad nauseum. When I tried to ask questions or rebut a statement, she spoke over me and got visibly upset. She’s a very loud person, and has a hefty amount of conviction. And since she was the boss: Prudence won out over politics.

Being loud and in a position of authority however, did not make her right. Not surprisingly, she disagreed with that too.

Throughout this particular rant, she never addressed the “why”. She made blanket statements about how the President “hates America and wants to see us fail” or some other impotent claim that never yielded her political reasons. She mentioned Reverend Wright and questioned the sincerity of The President’s faith and even doubted his birthplace: But, she wanted to assure me it had nothing to do with race. I found this odd, because I never mentioned it either.

"I think the lady doth protest too much!"

And as I read Facebook posts and blogs from many of those representing the far right, I see more of the same. There’s a lot of opposition to the Affordable Care Act, upset over Benghazi and a few other topics, but no substance. No reasons reasons as to why. Certainly no critical thought when it comes to the accuracy of some of their accusations.

There are however, lots of footnotes or qualifying statements about "not being racist." Often, following conclusions that The President is a Muslim and therefore a terrorist.

There are continued outcries from the far right, of illegal activity and wrongdoings by The White House. Stories, that if researched in the smallest way would prove ridiculous.

Every "scandal" is twisted to the point of lunacy.

The newest right-wing indignation is over President Obama not using the words "Under God" when narrating the Gettysburg Address for the Ken Burns PBS Documentary. Some are declaring that this is proof that he is a Muslim.

Obama Removes 'God' From Gettysburg Address

As many 5th graders could tell you, there are 5 versions of the Gettysburg Address produced by President Lincoln. Since there were no recording devices back then, no one really knows which version he recited on that monumental occasion. The original draft, known as the Nicolay Copy is the version that the producer asked President Obama to record. John Nicolay was President Lincoln's personal secretary. Many historians believe that this is the official version since Mr. Nicolay accompanied The President on his way to Gettysburg. This is also the version that is in the Library of Congress.

Somehow in the minds of the absurd, President Obama is responsible for Abraham Lincoln's omission of the words"Under God" in his original draft.

The examples of false outrage go on and on.

We've all heard about the survey in Louisiana in which one third of registered Republicans questioned, directly blamed President Obama for the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. It's almost laughable. Almost.

I’m not saying that there aren't valid reasons for disagreeing or even being angry over some of the President’s decisions or policies; I’m just not hearing any legitimate arguments from the loudest voices. Look, I don’t agree with everything President Obama does, but when asked, I can articulate a reason as to why. I don’t repeat empty catch phrases or misquote our founding fathers. I read as much as I can about any given subject, because (a.) I like to have legitimate reasons for being angry and (b.) I like to be informed.

Since the day Barack Obama was considered a viable candidate for President, he has been demonized. It has been reported that he was issued Secret Service protection six months earlier than other candidates because of the threats against him. Many of those threats came from white supremacists and end-of-times zealots, who believe that Obama is the Antichrist.

Then there are others, who may not be trying to physically hurt him, but loathe him all the same. Some are your “Average Joe” citizens that appear to be normal until they open their mouths. People who by all intensive purposes, seem to have it together, much like my previous office manager: They are successful, of average intelligence while simultaneously, fanatical in their hatred for Barack Obama. They are the ones who like to insert his middle name whenever they speak of him, just in case anybody has forgotten or cares that it’s Hussein.

And there it is: Hussein.

And for those who don't know... YES, that is Racism!
These same people feign confusion, stating that they are "just using his name, and what's wrong with that?". Well, nothing. I happen to like his name. However, I don't recall anyone telling William Jefferson Clinton or George Walker Bush to “put down the Quran!” In fact, until this President, middle names were largely ignored. The closest we got was George "W" Bush. Coincidentally, no one ever doubted the birthplaces of these men either.

Why is that?

Noticeably, Barack Hussein Obama is not a traditional “American” name.
Or a white name.
Or a Christian name.
His middle name is shared by Saddam Hussein and Obama rhymes with Osama. It’s inconceivable for some to imagine that someone with THAT kind of a name could have been born in the United States. Especially if he happens to be black.

I’m sure it would have rattled those same brains, if a person would have ran for President in 1972 (or even now, for that matter) with a name such as Nguyen Chuong. Alarm bells would have gone off in the minds of the bigoted: “That person must have an anti-American agenda!”

And so with the candidacy of Obama, began the Birther movement. They joined ranks with the Tea Party and organized a coup d’etat of the Republican Party.

These are the same people who claim, a little too loudly, that they are NOT racist! Often followed up with the fallacous statement “I even have a best friend who is black!” Followed further with a sustained pause for effect as they cross their arms, Richard Nixon style.

They are too arrogant, belligerent or incompetent to see that they are indeed; racist.

“But you’re wrong”! I’m told. “That’s not why he’s hated! It has nothing to do with race! “
Okay then, why?
“Because he wants to destroy America!”
Um. What?
“Yes! It’s true! He wants to destroy this nation!”

The website renewamerica.com states this:

"President Obama nurtures a fundamental, visceral antipathy for America as founded. He illustrates this in every speech on foreign soil when he blames America for every global evil known to man."

WTF?

I mean, please… Go on.

"He seems driven by a commitment to punish this nation for being racist to its core. He believes that racism is in America’s DNA. Since it is in our DNA, it cannot be rooted out, it cannot be cured, it cannot be eradicated; it must be destroyed."

This sounds like Charles Manson’s Race War. It’s just happening 40 years later. I continue to look for intelligent dialogue as to why the President is so disliked by the far right. And the vast majority of what I see has racial slurs or Christian fanaticism attached. Stupidly, those same people they try to turn it around and blame The President of their own fanaticism.

Example:

"Semi-retarded ebony squawkbox, pogrom agitator, and serial hate-crime-hoax enabler Al Sharpton leaped into the fray, claiming that the national debt “has been reduced every year for the last five years under this president.” In truth, the national debt has increased over $6.5 trillion during Obama’s reign—in effect, enslaving every man, woman, child, and race hustler in America to over $20,000 in new debt apiece.. - - The Week That Perished - Taki's Magazinehttp://americandigest.org/sidelines/2013/11/

(FYI, The deficit really is shrinking. I could link Forbes, USA Today, Bloomberg, ABC, PBS, FOX - Yes even Fox, or any other news organization, but I'm pretty sure that any disagreement would inevitably turn into accusations of a biased liberal media. So, what's the point. I'm going to save myself the effort and let people take a little personal responsibility.)

So, we are back to bigotry. Quit saying it’s not about race, when in fact, it is 100% about race. Is it always overt? Is it unintentional? Does it matter? Racism doesn't need a certified interpretation. At the end of the day, a turd is still a turd. It doesn't matter what you ate originally, it all ends up the same.

I’m going to be told that just because somebody doesn't like the President, doesn't mean they're racist. And they’re right. Not all dogs are Poodles. I understand that. And for those who are conservatives but not crazy, I’d like to offer some advice:

Republicans who don’t like the President’s agenda or his policies, for reasons other than race, or religion: You need to speak up, because right now the squeaky wheels in your party are getting all of the oil. They aren't doing you any favors. Certain members of The Tea Party and The GOP are behaving so badly that it makes all Republicans look bad.

When you see these “jokes” about the President’s skin color, or hear someone say that he was born in Kenya, speak up! When they call him a Muslim, say something! Make a point to say that religion shouldn't matter even if he was, which he's not. When a person or an elected official is promoting a cause you believe in, but it's blanketed in bigotry or fear, you must set the record straight!

Say something that will bring attention to your concerns and give our country added value, because the people who are advocating for you, are instead hurting your cause. You have the Constitutional right to disagree with the President's positions on the ACA, Gun Control, Immigration Reform, Social Security, Medicare and anything else you choose. No one has ever said that the Left offers a perfect solution. By all means, add to the conversation. Debate! Make us better! Do not let a bunch of nuts drown out your voice!

Help! Participate in building a more perfect union!

A final thought....
Lately, there’s been a lot of talk about the Democratic Party's racist views prior to the 1960's. It appears like the ones bringing this up are trying to justify their own actions. Perhaps their mother's should have taught them that two wrongs don't make a right. But it's true. For a long time, the Democratic Party was full of bigots and hatred. The Kennedy era Democrat, saw what they didn't like and changed it. They cleaned house and got rid of the people who were destroying the party and more importantly, the Untied Sates. That’s what Democrats do. We change. We overcome and we do what we feel is right.

Now it’s time for the Republicans to do the same. Who will be brave and speak out? Who will vote out the dead weight and bring back some level of calm and reason? This is your time. Take it.

Think like a Democrat when it comes to social justice. Just do it as a Republican.

I don’t often (if ever) agree with Rep. Pete King of New York’s 2nd District, but he held the high ground during the shut down debacle. I remember John McCain demonstrated the same grace during his Presidential Campaign. These instances bring respectability to the party. Unfortunately it’s too far and in-between the maniacal cries of those in the same party. There are some Democrats who think it’s somewhat amusing to watch the Republican party self destruct, but I don’t see it that way. We need opposing views to make us better. Without an intelligent voice on the other side, there is no one to challenge new thoughts and ideas.

So for all of us: Fact check, educate and bring about honest debate. Give your thoughts substance. And if you are someone who doesn’t like a man or a woman because of a name, religion or skin color…. Stop talking. You’re giving the rest of a headache and you’re hurting my country.

-v-

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Wednesday, June 18, 2014