What he links to – not the softer Beefheart either.

“High voltage man kisses night to bring the light to those who need to hide
their shadow deed.”

I continue to find this fascinating because of the striking disconnect between Republicans’ principles and their understanding of history. On the one hand, Republicans have a religious-like reverence for “Ronaldus Magnus”; on the other, they have no use for his approach to governance.

It’s comparable to evangelical Christians holding out Jesus as their model for salvation and perfection, only to ignore Jesus’ commitment to protecting the poor and less fortunate.

More on this: ‘Republicanity’—The GOP Transformation is Nearly Complete

Republicanity is built on a theology of divine presence in national affairs that looks in some instances like a form of theo-fascism—particularly when leaders claim an intimate knowledge of God’s will and being chosen by Him (no goddesses in this religion) to purify America. If we asked all the presidential candidates to state whether they are doing God’s will in the world certainly most, if not all, would answer in the affirmative.

Some even assert a direct link and special relationship with God (like Michele Bachmann, who understands herself and her career in divine terms). As RD’s own Julie Ingersoll and Sarah Posner have demonstrated, a deeply-held and ubiquitous strand of Christian Reconstructionism undergirds many of the positions taken by leaders in the Republican religious movement, and the core of that theology might be boiled down to this simple formula: God is on my side, so I’m right and you’re wrong about what it means to be an American.

Taken all together, Republicanity is a culture that merges politics and religion (maybe better identified as a form of “poligion,” as one of my teachers used to say) and unashamedly and unreservedly blows apart the longed-for “wall of separation” keeping the two spheres separate. Now more than ever the case can be made that our politics are a form of religion and that religion is the new politics.

Obama and the Democrats are fighting to get what the Republicans and the right-wing economic think tanks originally proposed they should do, and the GOP just keeps walking the goalposts to the right.

Granted, the Republican right is singularly terrible, but to suggest that the Democrats are “spineless” rather than letting the power shift naturally is as big a misread as “Obama is a socialist.” There is no mainstream liberalism anymore, as Hedges declares – it’s all corporatism.

Though I like hanging out on Daily Kos because there is some good debate on the issues, posts like this make me question that: Dems NOT Caving: Strategy Begins To Emerge

Hold on to your hats folks, looks like the dems are digging in and taking it to the Repubs and getting ready for the down and dirty trench warfare. Sen. Chuck Schumer launches the latest salvo.

Dems dig in: GOP trying to sabotage economy on purpose

In recent weeks, there’s been some question as to how far Dems are willing to go in making the explosive charge that Republicans are deliberately trying to sabotage the economy in order to improve their chances of defeating President Obama in 2012.

On a conference call just now with reporters, Senator Chuck Schumer made the most aggressive case we’ve heard yet along these lines, leaving little doubt that Dems are locking in behind this message as the deficit talks hit crunch time and as the 2012 campaign looms.

That’s great – but it’s rhetoric. Democrats don’t cave, they get what they want – it’s a conservative party, with some red meat rhetoric thrown around now and again. Which results in posts like this one, and then utter surprise when policy moves rightward. It’s the same type of rhetoric that the right throws to its base. If reality flies totally in the face of what was said in a speech or on a talk show, it’s time to start disbelieving the “tough talk.” It’s cathartic, maybe, but it’s useless, and perhaps even dangerous, as it makes people complacent that something’s getting done. All you really should do is look at the record, not the talk – as Chris Hedges mentions (which, admittedly, I wasn’t totally aware of): Obama’s record as senator was corporatist. His presidency isn’t much of a surprise.

It’s pretty depressing to stop believing that mainstream government isn’t going to accomplish anything. Plainly, political gamesmanship can be fun, but there has to come a point where mainstream Democrats take a look at the record of the party and realize it’s not just Republican light – it’s Republican. Unfortunately, the alternative party – the Christian fascist wing – is demonstrably worse. And if you think the Republican establishment wants to “crush Bachmann” I doubt it. With a Democratic presidency, they still get what they want, as the “middle” is still Republican policy. So long as terrifying politicians like Bachmann are part of the mainstream, policy can keep going further to the right. Bachmann scares people into voting Democrat. Democrats “compromise” with the far-right Republicans. End result: there’s no such thing as a Democrat any longer.

This is some bizarro-world shit we’re living in. What I still can’t get my head around is why so many at the top want to live in a privatized, ruined world, where children are literally starving. Are they just conscienceless? Lizards? What? Because Schumer is right – Republicans are actively trying to destroy the economy. But Democrats are complicit. I keep wanting to believe there’s a method to the madness. But maybe it’s just that money corrupts absolutely; maybe it’s just plain madness.

Gov. Rick Perry has proclaimed Saturday, Aug. 6th, as a Day of Prayer and Fasting for our Nation to seek God’s guidance and wisdom in addressing the challenges that face our communities, states and nation. He has invited governors across the country to join him on Aug. 6th to participate in The Response, a non-denominational, apolitical, Christian prayer meeting hosted by the American Family Association at Reliant Stadium in Houston. Gov. Perry also urged fellow governors to issue similar proclamations encouraging their constituents to pray that day for unity and righteousness for our states, nation and mankind.

“Given the trials that beset our nation and world, from the global economic downturn to natural disasters, the lingering danger of terrorism and continued debasement of our culture, I believe it is time to convene the leaders from each of our United States in a day of prayer and fasting, like that described in the book of Joel,” Gov. Perry said. “I urge all Americans of faith to pray on that day for the healing of our country, the rebuilding of our communities and the restoration of enduring values as our guiding force.”

Meanwhile: Anti-gay hate group to sponsor Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s national prayer rally

Gov. Perry’s Day of Prayer linked to Uganda bill calling for execution of gays

Rick Perry Rental Mansion Costs Texas $600,000 Amid $11B Budget Shortfall

The secession issue.

So a man who has favored a wealth tax and universal healthcare rockets to the top of the Tea Party’s list of favorite candidates:

Trump is the top choice of likely primary voters who are Tea Party members with 22% support, compared to 16% support among non-members. Romney is the top choice of those who are not members of the grass roots movement.

It’s almost enough to make you wonder what really turns the Tea Party on.

I’ve been wondering the same thing. I had assumed that the Tea Party was the mouthpiece for the Christian right, but it really doesn’t appear that way. It turns out that the main thing they’re interested in is celebrity. Palin shot to stardom so quickly because she was an antidote to Obama’s own rise to stardom. I don’t know what it would have been like to be on the far right and watching Obama’s rise in 2008 – “Yes We Can” and rallies like this one:

I don’t think the right were scared so much as really, really jealous. So it’s no surprise that Palin has fallen off the map just as Trump enters the picture. She’s famous, sure, but he’s been famous for longer.

This is fine, actually. Celebrity worship is less threatening to me than true religious fundamentalism. But still the same current runs through the reaction to Palin and Trump – as if seeing actors playing a part.  When they look at Palin they see sincerity (”Palin has a beautiful smile that’s spontaneous and sincere,” writes a commenter).  When they look at Trump they must see “strong businessman” instead of “unspeakable weasel.”  The same group that criticizes liberal Hollywood also lusts after it.  Which isn’t a total surprise, but turns out that the Tea Party doesn’t have a lot of principles beyond wanting to be in power.

Mitt Romney Haunted By Past Of Trying To Help Uninsured Sick People

BELMONT, MA—Though Mitt Romney is considered to be a frontrunner for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination, the national spotlight has forced him to repeatedly confront a major skeleton in his political closet: that as governor of Massachusetts he once tried to help poor, uninsured sick people.

Romney, who signed the state’s 2006 health care reform act, has said he “deeply regrets” giving people in poor physical and mental health the opportunity to seek medical attention, admitting that helping very sick people get better remains a dark cloud hovering over his political career, and his biggest obstacle to becoming president of the United States of America.

“Every day I am haunted by the fact that I gave impoverished Massachusetts citizens a chance to receive health care,” Romney told reporters Wednesday, adding that he feels ashamed whenever he looks back at how he forged bipartisan support to help uninsured Americans afford medicine to cure their illnesses. “I’m only human, and I’ve made mistakes. None bigger, of course, than helping cancer patients receive chemotherapy treatments and making sure that those suffering from pediatric AIDS could obtain medications, but that’s my cross to bear.”

“My hope is that Republican voters will one day forgive me for making it easier for sick people—especially low-income sick people—to go to the hospital and see a doctor,” Romney added. “It was wrong, and I’m sorry.”

WikiLeaks Suspect Manning: A Troubled Home Life

“Is he patriotic?  Is he patriotic?” the reporter asks over and over again about Bradley Manning, as if releasing documents about war crimes is automatically unpatriotic. Later, he keeps repeating the name bradass87 over and over again, as if to marginalize him.  Even mentioning his homosexuality seems like a way to put him on the fringe. And this is coming from “liberal” NPR.

People keep saying that they dream about Michelle Bachmann or Palin running for president, because it’d be funny or they’d be easy to beat. All this does is make the less-idiotic Obama look like a reasonable voice, when really all he is is a non-batshit Republican. So long as NPR is called a “liberal” network, listeners will be lulled into thinking they’re hearing less bloviating content than a place like Fox. But that isn’t the case.  That report above is water-carrying for the administration – an administration that is not “liberal” by any stretch. A Palin/Bachmann/Trump candidacy would only pull the country further to the right, once everything is reflected against whatever the fuck it is they have to say.

Mark Morford, who I normally like, has a particularly horrible piece about Obama’s candidacy.  The reaction to the post on Facebook was pretty eye-opening about status-quo seeking mainstream liberals – who mostly supported the piece.

So while libs can whine all they want about Obama’s imperfections and so-called failures, the instant you turn it all around and look at the alternatives, and then hitch them to the current GOP-led House’s plans to gut the budget and spew hate on women and gays, the arts and the poor, promote Islamophobia and kowtow to the rich, well, suddenly Obama shines all over again like the gleaming savior we all want him to be.

Suddenly all the complaining turns into nitpicking. Suddenly that vague dissatisfaction is instantly overshadowed by this shuddering, sour tang deep in the gut that just about screams OMFG, thank God Obama’s there, how much worse off we’d be without him, how much good he’s actually accomplished, how blessed his articulate intelligence, how proud we are every time he travels abroad — please, please, please don’t ever leave and sorry we complained in the first place and oh my God please don’t leave.

I don’t know how it could be more stark or clear: this entire society is being dominated by corporate power in a way that may exceed what happened in the late nineteenth century, early twentieth century. The incredible power these institutions now have over the average person is just overwhelming: the way they can make these trade deals to ship people’s jobs overseas, the way consumers are just brutalized and consumer protection laws are marginalized, the way this town here—Washington—has become a corporate playground. Since I’ve been here, this place has gone from a government town to a giant corporate headquarters.

To me, the whole face of the country—whether it be the government, the media, agriculture, what happens on Main Street—has become so corporatized that the progressive movement is as relevant as it was one hundred years ago, maybe more so. It’s the same issues. It’s just that [corporate] power, because of money, international arrangements and communications, is so overwhelming that the average person is nearly helpless unless we develop a movement that can counter that power. I know we’ve all tried over the years, but this is a critical moment. We need to regenerate progressivism and make it relevant to what’s happening right now. But there’s no lack of historical comparison to a hundred years ago. It’s so similar; the only real difference is that corporate power is even more extended. It’s the Gilded Age on steroids.

And yet progressives are socialists bent on destroying the country. To repeat for the Tea Party: transferring government power to corporations is not progress.

This puts the Maddow/John Stewart interview into a different context.  On the one hand, John Stewart’s call for rhetorical moderation would cite the above as hyperbole.  But not entirely: because the left/right divide in the media means that the Tea Party and the left can never see eye to eye, even though on many levels they’re angry about the same things (potentially): money going to the wrong places. Nobody likes bankers getting richer. The anti-Fed left and right have some common ground, at least. So the media left/right divide doesn’t allow for any common ground.

Still, this is no time for moderation. What he doesn’t seem to recognize is that hyperbole has value – and is also totally justified. His mantra of “things aren’t that bad” is really not recognizing the obvious. This world’s a tragedy a second, while the rich get richer. If you’re not tearing-your-hair-out outraged, then there’s a problem. While the tea party protest the wrong things, their stance of “I’m mad as hell and not going to take it any more” is a necessary one – I just wish they’d use it to more productive ends.

John Stewart’s a centrist like Obama. His call for reasoned dialogue is a noble one, but he needs to recognize the laundry list of reasons people should be pissed off. Right now’s not really a time for political moderation. If you’re a moderate, you’re not paying attention.