Partisan Politics

Let's start with a warning. This is a full on rant. But a good one, a necessary one, and (I hope) a coherent one. Another starting point: If Lieberman wins his election, which seems likely, the little prick ought to be removed from the Democratic party and forbidden from claiming he is a Democrat. He is NOT a Democrat! And I am sick of listening to his nasally drone about the need for less partisan politics. I want more and I think that America deserves some real partisanship so that we can really tell the difference between the parties.

The problem with Lieberman (and there are, I admit, many) is that he is really a closet Republican. Not only is he actively wooing Republican voters he is actively being endorsed by Republicans. In a recent article about his misuse of campaign funds (even stinks like a corrupt Republican) he was pictured with Senator Collins of Maine. I admire the woman and I even admire Senator Snowe (also of Maine) for being headstrong and critical. But they are Republicans, which means they stand for things that I cannot and will not support. Why is Lieberman posing with Republicans if he is a "Democrat"? Mind you, endorsements from Collins are bad enough but when Karl Rove, the dark specter himself, thoughtfully pointed out his support of Lieberman that just crossed a line.

Let Lieberman go to the other side. In fact, let's push him there and all the other "Democrats" who smell an awful lot like Republicans (Zell Miller, maybe? At least he retired.). And let's put an end to this BS nonsense that we need to "end partisan politics". Why do we need to end this? I want more of this. I want to know where Democrats stand (and Republicans, Greens, etc.) and I want to know that they will fight for their beliefs. I want more partisan fighting at the Capitol. I want to know there is a difference between the parties that are elected. I want a Democrat to stand up and tell Rick Santorum that he is an idiot and explain to him why he is an idiot and why there can be no compromise with his stupidity. I want to see some serious debates here and maybe even some mud slinging (the honest kind not the made up Swiftboat kind). I want to know that the parties don't like each other. I want to know that when Democrats shake hands with Republicans they cringe, smiling that fake Cheney smile, and quickly wash their hands when it's over to rid themselves of the stench that is Republican (again, there are some Republicans I can tolerate- Powell is one and so is Snowe). I want the first hundred hours Pelosi keeps talking about to really be a roll back of the most egregious BS put forward by this administration and its Republican Congress (roll back the tax cuts for the rich, maintain the estate tax, remove the horrendous parts of the "Patriot Act", put in alternative legislation to the torture legislation just approved, do something about these damn signing statements of Bush's, and start looking into impeachment).

Sure, it is useful to be able to 'cross the aisle' and get support for legislation. But this need not preclude some serious arguing over issues. Get support where you can. Stick it to 'em for everything else. Lieberman is a whiny little wimp of a wet blanket who doesn't want to stand up for anything. Except, the Republican party and his Republican President. So let him be Republican. He thinks his stance on Iraq is so damn enlightened then let him sit with those who believe in his enlightened thoughts: Republicans.