Rhinoceroses Will Save the GOP.

Dick Cheney stated on Face the Nation that he'd rather have Rush Limbaugh, the corpulant, neocon extremist talk show host, than Colin Powell in the GOP. He did all but label Powell as a RINO, Republican-In-Name-Only. At the same time, FreeRepublic members attacked Governor Crist of Florida when he announced his bid for the U.S. Senate for being a RINO.

But honestly, what the party needs is the moderate GOP elements that they are driving out, not the extremist GOP nutjobs that they are pandering to. When a member of the GOP is moderate, he is labeled "RINO," which is a title of scorn. The current republican party is a party of obstructionism, sabotage, and outright ridiculousness. This is now a party where President Obama is scorned as 'elitist' for asking for spicy mustard at a hamburger joint. This is a party that refuses to give Minnesota its constitutionally guaranteed representative by being unable to claim defeat. This is a party that organized tea parties, protesting taxes for the rich, which none of the protesters had to pay.

The party of fiscally conservative, small government, grassroots conservatism, is dead. It is in the hands of the moderates who are voiceless and rapidly fleeing the GOP for independent parties, or worse, the Democratic Party (I say worse because we are headed for a one party system, which would be unhealthy for this nation.) If the GOP wants to survive, they need to turn around and began pandering to the moderates.

A more moderate GOP, which cares about fiscal conservatism, small government, and personal responsibility has a place in this nation. A GOP that will keep the liberals in check is important. A GOP that will complain about mustard on a burger is not. We need a second party, or ideas will not be challenged and Congress will run too smoothly and no one will be around to criticize what they do. Even if they do, they'll be powerless to stop them. This nation must have at least two parties. A moderate GOP will help ensure that the budget is more conservative, that the government doesn't involve itself too far in private affairs and ensure that we maintain a defense against foreign threats.

The current GOP does none of these things. George W Bush was the biggest spender until Obama, who's spending due to an emergency. Under Bush, a surplus left by Clinton was brought to a deficit. The GOP claimed to be a small government party, but they stick their noses in the lives of gays and tell them they can't get married. They wiretap and watch everyone with suspicion and gave the executive branch powers to hold prisoners. The GOP right now is extremist and does not deliver on its promises at all. This is why the moderates are fleeing.

If instead the party listened to the moderates and shut out the idiots like Limbaugh, then perhaps they would not be in this situation. They'd have a viable platform and the ability to filibuster. But they'd rather see them turn tail and run away. Dick would rather have the corpulent Limbaugh than the intelligent Powell.

In other news, the Republicans in congress are trying to pass a bill to declare this year the Year of the Bible. I have a real problem with this. This is a nation of three hundred million people where roughly 20% are not Christian or Jewish (the Jews being included as they can relate to the Old Testament). That's around sixty million people who are not Christian. The bill is nothing more than a resolution, however it is unfair and unconstitutional. This crosses the line between separation of Church and State. It shows favoritism of one religion over another, which I believe the Founding Fathers wanted us to avoid when they stipulated "Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of a religion or prohibiting the free practice thereof." Sure this does not literally establish an official religion, but it sends the message that the Christian religion is the one preferred in Congress, so in a way it does.

This is a multicultural nation, founded by secular humanists. This is not and never was suppose to be, a Christian nation. This is suppose to be a free nation where any religion is respected and practiced (within reason, obviously if your religion includes ritual sacrifice of young virgin females, there might be a bit of a problem) with no influence or bias from the U.S. government.

If this resolution passes, I will petition congress to declare next year, Year of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. It's only fair. To refuse would be discriminatory against my religion.

"Some find that hard to believe, so it may be helpful to tell you a little more about our beliefs. We have evidence that a Flying Spaghetti Monster created the universe. None of us, of course, were around to see it, but we have written accounts of it. We have several lengthy volumes explaining all details of His power." -Bobby Henderson, founder of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

J Kuhl Signing Off