Kathleen Parker Takes on Reagan
19 November 2008 10:50 am by Taylor Marsh
BY TAYLOR MARSH
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Let’s all hope the Republican intelligentsia continues to ignore Kathleen Parker’s wisdom.
Many see Parker as taking
on the religious right. No
doubt she is. But for those of us old enough to remember the politics of
the 1980s, she’s doing something much more fundamentally earth shattering. She’s treading on hallowed political ground. Because it was
Ronald Reagan who invited them in.
As Republicans sort out the reasons for their defeat, they likely will overlook
or dismiss the gorilla in the pulpit.Three little letters, great big problem: G-O-D.
I’m bathing in holy water as I type.
To be more specific, the evangelical, right-wing, oogedy-boogedy branch of
the GOP is what ails the erstwhile conservative party and will continue to
afflict and marginalize its constituents if reckoning doesn’t soon cometh.… Simply put: Armband religion is killing the Republican Party.
… So it has been for the Grand Old Party since the 1980s or so, as it has
become increasingly beholden to an element that used to be relegated to wooden
crates on street corners. [...]
See wingnut radio hosts heads exploding here. The 1980s or so is certainly
a nice way to hide behind her real target, because no one in Republican politics
can survive attacking the Gipper. Good news for us.
Along with the southern strategy, which Reagan utilized to win, the religious
right has brought the Grand OLD Party to a point of apocalypse. But Parker’s
continued good counsel, she was the first to lower the boom on Miss Alaska,
is being greeted with gasps. Thank goodness.
To my friend Kathleen Parker — This act is getting really old.
[...] Me: I don’t know what’s more grating, the quasi-bigotry that has you
calling religious Christians low brows, gorillas and oogedy-boogedy types
or the bravery-on-the-cheap as you salute — in that winsome way —
your own courage for saying what (according to you) needs to be said. Please
stop bragging about how courageous you are for weathering a storm of nasty
email you invite on yourself by dancing to a liberal tune. You aren’t special
for getting nasty email, from the right or the left. You aren’t a martyr smoking
your last cigarette. You’re just another columnist, talented and charming
to be sure, but just another columnist. You are not Joan of the Op-Ed Page.
Perhaps the typical Washington Post reader (or editor) doesn’t understand
that. But you should, and most conservatives familiar with these issues can
see through what you’re doing.
Obviously, sans Reagan, the Republican Party has nothing to offer, which has
Goldberg scared down to his skivvies.
That’s their problem, especially when they see Sarah Palin carrying the torch.
Reaganism in a dress, circa 21st century, is frightening. It’s something many
of them aren’t willing to face. Kathleen Parker, to her credit, is. She actually
believes conservatism and the Republican Party can offer Americans something
in the 21st century. What is it?
Nobody on their side knows. But considering the financial collapse, due in
great part to Reagan’s deregulation, they better regroup completely, because
“smaller
government” amidst bailouts galore isn’t going to float.
Time to let the Gipper go. It’s the 21st century and he’s done all that he can do.
