Topic: 2006
Just what the Republican party needs right now, a sex scandal. And not just any sex scandal. A gay sex scandal. And not just any gay Jim McGreevey (Democrat, if you don't know) sex-for-homeland security jobs kind of scandal, but a gay for under 18 year old scandal.
Yes, Representative Mark Foley has done what Iraq, terrorism, the economy, Medicare, Social Security, immigration, Bob Ney (R), Randy Duke Cunningham (R), and William Jefferson (D) and so many others could not. He has created a firestorm that could very well tilt many close elections to the Democrats.
Republicans were just beginning to get energized, too. They had renewed faith in their party with the President leading the charge, with our economy not too hot and not too cold but just right for sustainable growth and the Dow Jones hitting an all-time high; they were invigorated by the belief in our party that the GOP is the party that will protect and defend all the people of this nation from harm.
And then Foley did this most disgusting and despicable act. He wrote a series of pornographic and propositioning emails and instant messages to a young boy page (what exactly these pages are for, who they are, and why such a program exists I don't know). The Republican leaders then proceeded to bumble the response to this crisis, and now speculation is rampant about whether or not the House leadership knew of Foley's...activities.
I cannot say right now if they knew or didn't because Hastert and the GOP leaders didn't seem to come out assertively one way or the other, though the Speaker now says he didn't. And if I can't be sure of my party leaders, what do you think the American people will think? According to reports, the Washington Times is going to ask for Hastert (as if he molested someone) to step down.
Thanks a lot, you pervert Foley!! And most predictably, the Representative claims he is a victim of alcoholism (just as Mel Gibson and Patrick Kennedy are, I suppose), and is checking himself into a rehab clinic. It's the best way to divert attention from your sins, that is, to cast yourself as the victim.
Thanks a lot, I should say, because this dirtbag pervert is doing far more damage to the GOP's chances of holding onto the House and Senate than the Democratic distortions on Iraq, the economy, and government programs. This is doing more damage than Jack Abramoff, and his dirty dealings, more than Tom DeLay's actions and more than Conrad Burns' out-of-this-world wackjob racist, and insane, comments.
The Republican Party for many, like me, is symbolic of a few things. It is the grouping of like-minded people who believe, first and foremost, in a strong national defense. Second, we believe in an open-market economy where those who work the hardest and smartest are rewarded. Third, we believe in a government that protects us from enemies, provides a safety net (not easy money) to those who are less fortunate and need help to succeed, and one that is non-intrusive and doesn't spend a lot. The GOP, since coming to power in 1994, and then taking the Presidency in 2000, has done a lot of good. But it is not perfect, and unlike a partisan Democrat, I am not afraid to point out flaws.
Democrats and liberals never give an inch, never admit a mistake (exactly what they accuse President Bush of) when you debate them on their beliefs and party history. They will not admit that welfare states don't work; they will not admit that they are inherently against religion and a strong, bold defense of this nation. They won't admit it when you prove them wrong in debates with fact, and they certainly will not speak against a fellow Democrat and/or liberal.
That is why they defended Bill Clinton so rabidly. That is why William Jefferson isn't an issue, nor Jim McGreevey nor Bob Torricelli (bribery, gay scandal and Mafia-style dealings, respectively) . That is why they won't reproach Ted Kennedy, or Barney Frank, or Joe Biden (manslaughter, gay scandal and plagiarism, respectively), and they wouldn't believe any criticism of John Kerry's war record. That's why Hillary Clinton is clean as a whistle today and free to run for President though her personal dealings were dirty. It is why Sandy Berger wasn't in trouble for hiding classified documents in his underwear, or Jesse Jackson isn't disgraced (he is a Reverend, after all) for his personal sexual affair.
But they certainly jump on phony national guard documents about George W. Bush, or his decades old DUI. They'll lambast un-elected private citizen radio host Rush Limbaugh for his personal battle with pain killers he was prescribed. They'll go nuts about all sorts of GOP scandals, and some, like Foley's, deservedly so, without ever admitting Democratic sins.
But that's politics. And the Dems might just take this one to the bank and the GOP could be out of power. Right now, to me, Washington stinks to high Heaven, and though I still approve of the Bush administration's efforts, they aren't even up to par in my mind. It's pretty depressing.
