The GOP Primary and Meaning
This is where we can begin to understand the disintegration of the Republican in a more complete way. Rick Santorum's rise to power indicates that within the Republican Party - there are factions that are moving to break it apart. Santorum has risen to power by the votes of the minority. He is , by all accounts, a Theocrat.
He has publicly stated that he does not believe birth control works, and that sex is bad for society. His view of Christianity is bound to his views of governance, and this does not disqualify him a priori from holding the highest office - however - he is at heart a prude - and although he wears his Christianity on his sleeve, he is in actually a character actor.
He is well known for hot button issues, however he has not spent alot of time standing up for real christian principle The 24 hour news media entertainment cycle carries him because those who participate in it - tend to become modestly poisoned by it and he offers a sort of "pure America" distraction. His primary accomplishment , the grisly piece of legislation that helps define late term abortion - is so rarely utilized that it has had little if any effect on society. He voices the concerns of the very few - and speaks , in general - for a group of people who are more interested in the effect of their lobby than they are representing America at large.
Meanwhile, the Republican party has reacted harshly to a front runner candidate who executes the will of his constituency. They do not want representatives. The Washingtonian Rez Publica that defined the statesmanly approach to governance - has been MIA for 20 years. Instead, mostly because lobbyists figured out they work better - there has been a demand for, essentially - actors. They want "higher morals". They want evangelism. Unfortunately, for all their supposed piety they haven't read St. Augustine - and the higher morality and piety seems to end, when it comes to christian principles of mercy and kindness.
These lobbyists splintered their party at the seam - and shown to the world - that the Republican party does not represent the will of the people. It represents the will of the corporation. And it has disconnected from that which is good for the country - and plunged headlong into that which is good for whatever temporary balance sheet or lobbyist intrigue. It is, in essence - an advertising model.
Meanwhile, advertising changed. The demographics changed. And the American people changed. They became smarter. A party must first and foremost represent those that would vote for it. America is a nation of the people, by the people - and for the people. And those people now have a clue. The single largest constituency in the United States, by nearly 40% of all registered voters - are self declared independents (yay!).
Where did they come from? The Democrats, who have for the past eight years, attempted to become a party of smart government - and progressive character - have more or less gone sideways. In the dirty south - the word democrat is still a dead brand. The ranks of the independents did not swell by a mass exodus from their rank and file. Instead, the numbers indicate the disintegration of the main body of voters within the GOP as they leave the boundary of a party that seemingly dedicates itself to the political dog and pony show.
The Republicans also seemingly embrace Christianity - but have lost sight of St. Augustine's writings and thought. He writes at length about how Rome declared that no Actor should ever be allowed to run for political office. And how actors themselves, representing the Gods - tend to debase religion they supposedly represent, in so doing.
The dog-and-pony party opposes tax cuts (Republican Congress, 2011). Builds the largest bureaucracy in the history of the United States (Bush Era 2003-2008). Makes Uncle Sam hide at his door from bill collectors like a scared neighbor (Republican Congress, 2011). And finally, oppose a budget that cuts taxes, eliminates red tape, and gets the economy going (Republican Congress, 2012).
Why? Is this a party adhering to principle? Hardly. Conservatism is about making things more effecient - and making them work better. Not blocking all semblance of work, whatsoever. Not taking paychecks from the American people - and turning a Congressional term into a paid holiday. The filibuster is overused. The tactics of grandstanding and the eternal campaign , are staid. After awhile it all becomes just talk. Eventually you have to do something. And if you can't , then at least you should realize - the cameras aren't rolling. You don't have to come up with another sound bite. You can try to get to work instead.
I run a small business. I've seen my paperwork costs and tax filing costs - drop. Obama has eliminated tons of needless red tape. The health coverage for some my employees get better. My taxes are low. The economy is on the rebound, and mending after the Bush Republicans nearly destroyed our markets entirely in 2008. I don't see a gloom and doom scenario, for our Country. Sure, it's not as strong as I'd like. But..
We have a president who's killed Osama Bin Laden, Won the Nobel Peace Prize, rebuilt our Economy, and improved healthcare dramatically. There are now millions more Americans covered, and there has been no negative impact on our economy whatsoever. In fact, the only healthcare related legislation that has had a negative impact - at all - is a medicare payments formula that the Bush Republicans in congress, have tried to block and ended up only just yesterday - passing a one year extension.
Really good government is probably more than just a little bit boring. It wouldn't support a 24 hour news media entertainment cycle.
We have a party , in America - dedicated to Welfare for the Wealthy. And, seemingly - an eternal dog and pony show.
So, getting back to Rick Santorum. Remember this: Fundamentalism is often a shield against the real world. When children are home schooled, because a man is afraid they'll go out and see the real world- it is because a parent wants everything to return to a state that does not exist. This is a natural desire.
Because after the age of 30. You begin to die. And the realization - that you are, in fact, dying - comes slowly. I would imagine that if you look at it carefully, you will find Rick Santorum's ideas beginning to develop more sharply after that age. In fact, his early career was spent as a lobbyist - attempting to legalize steroid use for the WWF. He hung around big muscled men, and beautiful women - attempting to help the glitzy world of professional wrestling. You do not find any statements - during this time - such as his now infamous "Sex is a bad thing for a society".
Funny thing about death, however. Once it reaches a certain point - it just keeps on going and doesn't stop until the organism is dead. And equivalently - the obsolescence of a political party. Santorum started feeling it within him, when he hit his late thirties. The GOP should be feeling it now. It scared him.
St. Augustine wrote, in "The City of God" makes a fascinating discovery that the corruption of Rome, from within - begins with their embrace of religious principles that are, for all intents and purposes - dead, or worse - designed to accomplish a specific political or social purpose. He gives an example of how the Romans set up shrines to Plato (demi god) and Romulus (full god status) . Certainly Santorum's faith can be said to be strong. But does he serve a living God?
St. Augustine and I share this : that our God is a living god. And Christ is a living messiah. The fear of God , is the beginning of all wisdom. His Christianity , was a form of radicalism. And so should be yours. So should all Christianity - be found - wherever it may be. It is , to some - a rule and guide to faith and practice in matters of love, family - and the immortality of the soul.
When Christ himself did not seal either he or his Apostles against the world - but threw himself out into it, how can following his example - mean an embrace of fundamentalist principles?
Rick Santorum is eloquent, well spoken. And he has strong moral values. As goes Rome. The statesmen of Rome, borrowing laws from Solon - And those values were bound to a dead religion. Which, after Constantine - became , also dead politics. ..
The Romans were at this time so much under the sway of baneful superstition that they worshipped gods whom they thought of as wishing to have theatrical obscenities devoted to their honour, they still had concern for their own dignity and honor to refrain from honouring the actors of such fables from the Greeks
- St. Augustine, City of God, Book II Chapter 13 p. 61
Washington, as a statesman - and a figure in the American fairy tale - believed strongly in the powers of the Federal Government. And the Rez Publica - an art form comprised of statesmanly governance. He would have wholeheartedly endorsed and supported Healthcare Reform.
We do not hear this from the partisans. Instead, we hear the drum of their obscene political theatre. It is little different from Religious theatre. Or , for that matter - the dog and pony show that is the Republican Party.
When you can smell death. It is not far away.
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