July 10, 2009

GOP Follies continue

One of my big complaints with the GOP over the last 20 years has been their blatant attack on government as evil. That has led, as I have argued, to a patently destructive policy from Republicans. Their offer to public policy is to remove government oversight, regulation, and services--even if there is nothing left to take the place except extreme pain. If they had a goal of "good governance" instead of "government is the problem" (thanks Reagan) then I could disagree, but disagree respectfully. But they don't. I know some republicans do, and some of them read here. But the leadership of the Republican party has no interest in good governing. Not one bit.

A good example comes from Texas, who has as Governor, a man who used to be widely regarded as one of the dopiest ones. Sanford and Palin have moved him right off the radar, but good old Rick "Secession might be the answer" Perry is still out there as a wackaloon. He is now thinking of nominating a woman who hates Public Education as chair of the state's school board. Ok, so she hates public education and thinks it should be abolished because it is a "tool of perversion" (I am guessing she is not pro-gay) and she advocates a rigidly Christian approach to governing. A graduate of Pat Robertson's "law school," (remember the legal brilliance of Monica Goodling) she believes that only those who "desiring to govern have a sincere knowledge and appreciation for the Word of God in order to rightly govern.” Oh, and she warned her fellow nutjobs before the last election that Obama was plotting with terrorists to attack Americans.

And Rick Perry wants her in charge of education in Texas. And I am supposed to respect this party at all?

4 comments:

steves said...

I certainly don't see a problem with appointing someone who is critical of public education, but appointing someone who wants to dismantle it seems like a stupid idea and one that should offend teachers, parents, and everyone else for that matter. BTW, Pat's "school" languishes near the bottom of the rankings.

And Rick Perry wants her in charge of education in Texas. And I am supposed to respect this party at all?

To be fair, this act of stupidity is isolated to Texas.

Streak said...

Absolutely Steve. A critic could be someone who wants to reform and improve public education. This woman is a trainwreck. And her take on the constitution might give us a window as to why Pat's school is so bad. As a lawyer, she didn't seem to learn much about the constitution.

Streak said...

And btw, Steve, I understand that Perry is only doing this in Texas, but I don't trust the far right wing of this party, and they seem to have a disproportionate voice in the modern GOP. This is the Palin wing too.

steves said...

I know. I am not all that close to Texas, but they seem to have some real kooks. A friend just moved there and we give him a hard time whenever we can.