Republicans Put Party Ahead of America

By: Mike Hersh

To support Bush, Republicans have to put their party ahead of their country. Each day, more Republicans and Indies realize Bush's Enronomics derailed the economy, and his foreign policies make no sense. They have a choice - support an unelected, unqualified failure, or do what's best for America.

Already, we're seeing Republicans distance themselves from Bush on important issues like campaign finance reform and prescription benefits. The unanimous vote against Bush in the Senate on the Sarbanes business accountability law might have been the turning point. Elected Republicans are unwilling to follow Bush as he tries to mislead them - and us - into the abyss.

Sen. McCain and Sec. Powell are already actively opposing Bush's idiotic policies. I wonder if the frustration factor will lead Bush to explode - as he did with Jeffords - causing similar defections from those two and others who know Bush is ruining the country?

Republicans who have integrity put country ahead of party. I think the Democrats' strategy is to work with decent Republicans as much as they can, in a holding action until the elections. If and when Democrats regain the House, they will become proactive. As it is, they're on the defense and remain reactive.

I saw this during the 1980's with Reagan. Tip O'Neill - hardly a wimp - worked to contain Reagan as much as possible until the Democrats retook the Senate. Then they reversed the ills of Reaganism, and started investigating the dozen dozen crooks in the Reagan administration - including Reagan himself and Poppy Bush.

If their strategy fails to deliver wins at the polls, or if Democrats don't put Bush in his place (and the Bush crooks in prison) I'll bethe loudest voice calling for more guts and glory from the Democrats. I'll be looking for tougher Democrats to replace any who don't lead the fight against the Bush Occupation.

I see indications the Democrats' strategy is working, because decent Republicans who care about America cannot and will not support Bush much longer. Moderates understand Bush is not the compassionate (or competent) conservative he claimed he was.

I think we only have to hold on for 3 more months. I predict strong showing by Democrats at the polls. Even if the Bush Occupationholds on this election cycle, their outrages, abuses, and crimes guarantee their doom. They're a dead ideology walking.

People are angry with Bush for giving 40% of our surplus to the top 1% richest few, and for letting his CEO pals run amok. As the truth about Bush's special favors for Kenny Boy Lay and the rest become known, Bush will reap the whirlwind.

Tales of the energy rape of California will ensure that huge state stays solidly Democratic, and the rising Democratic demographic tide in several states - including Bush's Texas - will bring a new flood of Democrats into the Senate and House.

The Bush Occupation is just about over. Strong showing at the polls by Democrats in three months will end Bush's reign of error.

Then we'll begin the long, hard process of repairing the damage and building a better future.