What's Wrong With Being Right?

When I was a younger man attending my first college (there have been seven so far, but that's another story for another day), Arlen Specter was elected to the Senate.  Like me, he was a Pennsylvanian, and like me he had firm beliefs on various topics.  Those beliefs didn't always agree with mine, but that's how life goes.  The only way to get all of your beliefs represented is to get elected yourself.  And, like me, Arlen Specter was a Republican.

That was back in the early 80s.  When I first registered to vote I registered as a Republican, using reasoning that now makes no sense at all, but actually using my registration as a means of attempting to break out of a family mold.  All of my family were democrats, going back for as far back as I can find, and all of my beliefs align with the Democratic party, so what caused me to be a Republican?  Looking back, I can only believe that it had to do with being a closeted homosexual.  That through my political affiliation I was "striking out" against the status quo.  That I was trying to make a statement, albeit in a feeble voice.

I soon came to my senses and changed my affiliation to Democrat.  This decision was easily made since I had never once voted for a Republican when I had any other option.  Now, like me, Arlen Specter has seen the light and changed parties.  No, I don't think this means that he's a closeted homosexual.

When I registered Republican, I was young and impetuous, and I didn't remain a Republican for more than a few years.  With Specter, that's not the case.  He's been in the Senate for over 25 years, always as a Republican.  He's considerably older than I am, and yet he is now switching parties, and I have to say, I'm not surprised.

The Republican Party has continued a downhill slide that has grown into an avalanche.  The party that existed when I joined no longer exists.  The current party has become one of malicious lies and those lies will continue to cause the party to implode.  The sad thing is, it's not just the elected officials who are spreading lies.

Much of America sees the Republican Party as represented by the likes of Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, Ann Coulter and Glenn Beck.  These men are ruining the Grand Old Party.  By spreading lies about America and her leaders they cause a rift in our society, and a rift that does nothing to help ease the wounds of this nation, but lines their own pockets.  By sowing the seeds of discontent they further their own careers at the detriment of our society.

I have to wonder when the rest of America will join the likes of Arlen Specter and wise up to the antics of these ultra conservatives and their petty antics.  It is my fervent hope that one day, all of America will join in a boycott of any companies that advertise on any of their programs, or in any newspapers that give them column space.  Perhaps then, when the liars are silenced, America will have a chance to become truly, one nation, with liberty and justice for all.