Re: CHAT: "La Bandera Estrellada"

The Sage of Lufkin writes:
"This is for all the US people."
    I think that "US politics" can be very interesting to folks outside of
the States.  After all, we all need a good laugh now and then, don't we?

"the Republican Party - that's the more conservative of the two major
parties, the other one being the Democratic Party."
     One might say with much justification that the Republican Party is one
of the two political parties that control the American legislature and
executive branch.  Both tend to represent economic interests, but
differentiate themselves by paying lip service to things like "smaller
government," "military preparedness," and "traditional (heterosexual,
Judeo-Christian) family values," (for the Republicans) and "education,"
"equal health care for all," and "an end to (class/race/sexual)
discrimination" (for the Democrats) among other meaningless party
shibboleths.
     The Republican Party believes in limiting government interference in
the lives of US citizens, especially if you are poor and cannot afford basic
services such as a decent education and health care, or a member of a
(visible or in-visible) class of ethnic or sexual minorities who might be in
danger of discrimination or even abuse.  However, Republicans will often
argue for increasing the government's role in the lives of its citizens to
champion traditional American values, especially as regards women,
homosexuals, and people who do not speak english as their first tongue.
Republicans will always champion free speech (unless it is unpopular
speech).
     Democrats, on the other hand, seem to think that the pathway to more
freedom and liberty is through more legislation.  By passing gun control
laws and bills defining hate crimes and hate speech, they hope to eliminate
gun crime and hate crimes from society.  What was it Thoreau said?  There
are a million hacking at the branches of evil to the one who hacks at its
roots.

"The theme being unity in diversity, this convention
featured African- and Asian-American speakers, and something I am SO
GLAD has finally come -- a Hispanic presence!"
    I love how the Republican party massacres the English language.  Unity
in Diversity?  A Compassionate Conservative?   Sounds like newspeak to me.
What an interesting Conlang idea!  "Republicano: learn to talk for hours
without saying anything meaningful!"  A language composed entirely of empty
slogans and idle threats!
    Perhaps the reason the Republicans fail to attract Hispanic,
African-American, and other presences is because they consistantly champion
the majority in American politics and lobby to marginalize everyone else.
Republicans are always behind "English as Official Language" bills and
"Defense of Marriage" Acts and all the attempts to do away with Affirmative
Action are sponsored by Republicans.  Colin-Powell said so, in addressing
the Republican convention!  At least the Democrats pay lipservice to all the
opinions represented in their party.
    Both parties continually promote a certain class of individuals.  These
individuals are always of Anglo-American background, with a political
pedigree that extends back to the Revolution.  In short, these are the
people who have been running this country since day one.  They are all
closely related to one another and often (as in the case of the Bushes) have
links to the British Royal family as well.  These are the only sort of
people who ever become candidates in the States, and they are all so similar
to one another as to be indistinguishable.  It makes me queasy just to think
about it.

"The Presidential candidate, a Texan named George W. Bush Jr. (the Bushes
are fast becoming the new Kennedys), and other members of his family speak
excellent Spanish."
    The Patriarch of this clan of clowns, George Herbert Walker Bush, is
infamous for his ignorance of Spanish.  This became apparent in the race
against Michael Dukakis 12 years ago.  And Dubya is no Jack Kennedy.  And if
the Bushes are really Texan, then I'm the Grand Duke of Luxembourg.
    Although George P. Bush is half-Mexican, that doesn't (necessarily)
condition the views of his uncle.  As loath as I am to say it, I don't think
the Dems have to strive hard to "out-do" the Grand Old Party on such issues,
they've been out-doing them for a long time now.  The GOP needs to convince
minorities that it's not going to trample all over their liberties as it is
wont to do.

-Chollie
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