flowers and abortion
Politics.Lately that seems like a dirty word. I'm reading a book that explores philosophy from the classical era of Greece to the recent past. Back in the Greece of Plato, Socrates & Aristotle, politics wasn't a dirty word. It was a subject that all the citizens would discuss and vote on. Of course that was a true democracy in that every citizen voted on issues, we live in a representational democracy where we elect officials and they're the ones that actually vote on issues. That might be what makes the difference.
In regards to the Supreme Court nominees, I have a pet theory that I've been toying with for a few months. I've mentioned it here once before but it's been a while so I'll toss it out again.
The Republicans in general and the party leadership of the GOP in particular hate abortion. That's easy to know because they tell us about it every day. Over and over. And as a result they get a lot of financial donations, endorsements and most importantly VOTES. Quite a few elections in the past decade have been decided by a very narrow margin, not the least being the past two presidential elections, and abortion has often been what allowed the GOP to win.
Why do I bring that up? Well, that preamble sets the stage for this idea. The GOP can't afford to let Roe v. Wade fall. Without the potent abortion issue to campaign with, a number of elections could go to the Democrats which would shift the house and possibly the Senate as well. And most definitely the West Wing would belong to the party of the donkey once more. This is a nightmare for the Republicans and so it has occurred to me that maybe, just maybe the GOP, in the person of George W. Bush, is nominating Justices to the Supreme Court that could believably uphold Roe v. Wade without it looking like the GOP was actively trying to get that result.
This would preserve "Right to Life" as a GOP issue and still keep the party faithful thinking that they got screwed by the Supreme Court yet again. The GOP likes folk to get upset at the Judicial Branch since it's the Legislative Branch members (and a few key members of the Executive Branch) that get elected and need to stay popular.
What do you think?
Comments
I think a lot of politics is manipulation and you aren't totally wrong. I'm just not so sure that you are understanding what's actually important. I think the whole Roe Vs. Wade thing is to detract from other issues, not a main issue itself.
Abortion is the new third rail. Gore and Kerry/Edwards have found that out since both elections, according to exit polls, were decided on 'family values' issues. Essentially abortion and gay marriage. If you want to be elected president you have to be against abortion--and that's an issue that the GOP owns.
Should this be such a huge issue? Of course not--but at least for now it's a huge issue if you want to get elected.
Just because you don't see the real issue, doesn't mean that I'm wrong is saying that it isn't the issue. It's what they "say" the issue is. It's a scare tactic, like telling kids they'll go blind if they masterbate. Maybe that's why so many people seem to close their eyes during sex....
Bush has been screwing around with SS and medicare. He's a lame duck and has no fear!
Bush has been trying to mess with everything. I think he thinks something may eventually work out, but I think he just wants to leave a legacy -- good or bad. I'm not so sure that he's really had an impact on very much though. Most of what's been passed has been watered down versions of things the Republicans wouldn't allow to happen under the Clinton administration.
However, as a small concession to Bush, not all of his disasters were a result of his actions. He did inherit some problems when he took office. He just is unprepared and doesn't have the support system in place to handle problems when they come to light.
As for your theory.. interesting, but as I live in a red state I really don't want to test it.