I KNOW! Where in the world do these people get their information from? What this person gatekeepersboss is saying has no accounting whatsoever. He says the teaparty has done so many things, but does not explain a single thing that they were supposed to have done. All he actually says is that he did not care for them and warned everyone to not care for them either.

I hereby declare that I do not like limburger cheese because it looks, smells and tastes like baby crap so everyone should not eat limburger cheese. I SAID SO!

Among the many things that separate most American citizens from a particular group in this country are rationality, compassion, tolerance, and fairness. The majority of our American population has the ability to look history square in the eye and not flinch. They seek not to gloss over the ugliness in our history. We study as well as acknowledge the ugliness of American history and seek ways to transcend this ugliness – not revise factual evidence. There are those who view American history the same way they look at sex; as something disgusting to hide away from the neighbors and lie about. They pretend that the unsavory parts of history never happened, and in doing so, fail to learn the valuable and costly lessons those not pretty parts of history taught us.

This obsessive-compulsive tendency of these people is around us all the time - with this ignorance and stupidity being raised as a badge of honor by them. The amount of revisionism dealing with the Founding Fathers I have seen from these people is legendary (and laughable) - perhaps mythological is more descriptive. Trying to discuss historical facts with this segment of the population is like having someone repeatedly telling you "the answer to 2+2 is 3”, and then accuse you of being un-American when you correctly state “No, it’s 4.” These people's unrealistic view of history is incredibly simplistic and self-serving. As Senator Al Franken said in his book, Lies (And the Lying Liars Who Tell Them):

“Conservatives love America like a child loves his mommy, and mommy can do no wrong.”

I could argue, quite successfully, that these people are like children. After all, they throw temper tantrums (Tea Party), lash out in violence when angry (Armed Militias) and have a tendency to not share with the other children - unless an adult makes them (Wall Street). But that’s not the point I’m trying to make - today at least. The fact is, this segment of the population does not venerate real history. They fear and loathe the accurate depiction of history. They intend to 'fix history' by systematic efforts under way to simply remove historical fact and make up their own historical fantasy.

This is less of a conspiracy than understanding that undiluted history presents a significant problem for that group. Specifically, it makes them look ignorant. Why do you think there were parts of the more embarrassing (to them) amendments in the much-vaunted reading of the Constitution at the beginning of the 112th Congress? Do we believe – as they said – “they were irrelevant”(?) Of course not! We are not silly. There is a specific reason this segment of society needs to rewrite the past in rosy prose. Because in the darkest parts of America’s history, those who hold this draconian philosophy were responsible for almost all of the darkness. Let’s look at some of this history in no particular order:

The Civil War – This group started it to maintain slavery as a legal right.

Women’s Suffrage – This group stood against it.

The end of segregation – This group stood against that, too.

Gay marriage – Guess where they stand right now?
(And in in thirty years, guess where they will SAY they stood?)

Hate crime laws – This group is against them (ironically, they hate them).

“Legalized” torture – Brought to you courtesy of their movement. To them, water-boarding is never legally considered torture - except when it is. (Spanish-American War: American soldiers court-martialed for doing it. WWII: Japanese soldiers convicted for doing it. Vietnam: American soldiers court-martialed for doing it. Texas, 1983: Sheriff and three deputies convicted for doing it.)

The Great Depression – This group allowed banks to run rampant and collapse the economy. Modern day conservatives blame liberals despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

The Great Recession – This group allowed banks to run rampant and collapse the economy. I have seen this group of people blame progressives despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. This time with more success with their 24 hour mis-information propaganda bureaus.

Prohibition – Legislating morality, a “small government” favorite of this group that just happened to give rise to organized crime in the United States. Thanks for that!

The Southern Strategy – Still in effect and just as disgusting (but brutally effective) as it was fifty years ago.

There is much more but, needless to say, their ideology leads to some dark places. They like to claim the liberalism leads to gas chambers, holocausts, tyranny, and racism. But history shows us otherwise. What it does say is that these kinds of movements, especially combined with the intolerance of Fundamentalism, lead to corrupt governments, ethnic cleansing, poverty and economic disasters. Those in congress today with the same mind set of intolerance specialize in an ideology combined with intolerant Fundamentalism – Can you say, oh sh*t?

This is the reason this group wants to 'whitewash' American history - because of the abysmal record they have and are continuing to create. Some may think that they are purposely trying to harm our country. However, that would require them to understand the consequences of the policies they are enacting - understanding or intellect are not their particular strong points. But they did recognize when society was passing them by and furiously backpedaled to obfuscate their stance in order to remain relevant. Where do you think these people came from? They came from the final eight years of over forty years of total, systematic failure due to the very worst of unfettered conservative policies, that they continue to push. Suddenly, these people are “pure” conservatives that are exactly nothing like those “bad” republican conservatives from Barry Goldwater to G.W. Bush(?) Spare me.

So I ask you - How can we fight the pull their memory out of a black hole? How do we keep the truth from being hopelessly obscured, rewritten and abused?

Write the truth!

Keep a journal. Write a blog. Post an article. It doesn’t matter how well you write. What matters is that you write the truth. Quote those out-of-touch-with-reality people whenever possible, as often as possible. Condemn them with their own words. Write it, share it, save it and never forget. Let the record show; in thirty years, they WILL say they always supported equal rights for homosexuals. In thirty years, when Hispanics are on parity with, or exceed, the white population, they WILL say they always supported immigration reform. In thirty years, when climate change is undeniable, they WILL say they always supported environmental legislation.

They will be lying then just as they lie now. They will try to change history textbooks to reflect their lies just as they are doing now. They will publish book after book after book filled with made up “facts” and they will be wrong just as they are now. It’s up to us to make sure our family and friends as, well as this mean-spirited segment of society remember what really happened. No matter how hard it may be for them to hear it.

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”
~ George Santayana

I am neither a republican nor a democrat. I see rights and wrongs on both sides over a broad scope of perspectives. I agree and disagree with some things you said. First of all, republicans are not stupid or ignorant. These are your opposition, and you should not underestimate them, nor lead your support to. They exist because they are as resourceful and share with you the human tendency to adapt to a dynamic environment. You should just acknowledge that they have different opinions of yours and leave it at that. Secondly, you are inaccurate regarding your facts in your bullet point statements:

The republican party was the northern party. It was the southern democrats who started the civil war to preserve slavery. The southern strategy was the republicans attempt to turn over as many white democrats as they could to broaden their political support. This had unforeseen consequences, however, as it alienated the minority vote. Some well placed democratic propaganda was able to pick up the minority vote shifting the balance of power solidly in their favor. The act is done, so to say that the southern strategy is still in effect is inaccurate. The end of segregation and women's suffrage were both started and carried by the republican party. They did not create the great depression by allowing the banks to run rampant; it crashed because of trading practices (true that most wall street investors were republicans, but it was not a sanctioned political act). We were young and naïve and did not know that could happen.

Another issue I have with your words are regarding armed militias. You stated that they "lash out in violence". Can you please share something with me that I have not seen yet? And I don't mean isolated incidents with fanatical factions. But solid evidence depicting how armed republican related militias have used violence? The only engagement that I can recall is Waco, TX, and that was an armed militia being assaulted. Keep in mind that well regulated, armed militias are our right in the Bill of Rights. It is our last defense against a totalitarian government.

On the lighter side, I agree with you 100% regarding gay marriage, legal torture and prohibition. Another fundamental flaw that you would probably agree with is that republicans are notorious for trading our rights away for security. Reminds me of episode III of star wars, when the need for security, peace and order was implemented with an iron fist, and the republic was dissolved and replaced with an empire.

The assault on the compound at Waco was made by Democrats that actually had no right to attack these people as they did. There were too many witnesses that did not agree that David Koresh was holding these people against their will. These people shopped at stores in Waco, and at no time were they seen to be under guard. It was the fact that the government disliked what they stood for that caused their downfall. It was the same at Ruby Ridge. The Randy Weaver family just wanted to be left alone to live their lives as they wished, but Clinton and the lezzie Janet Reno could not condone that, so they attacked these people at dawn and shot a couple of them simply because they could do it and get by with it. That was when the Democrats first showed their true colors.

Are you confused about what a Republican and a Democrat stand for? Democrats want total control of your life, and Republicans want to keep control in your own pocket. Now I am not so sure the Republicans of today even know what they stand for themselves, they are too wishy-washy for my taste, so my solution is to throw anyone out you don't like and put in new guys. Come to think of it throw everyone out and start over. These guys are worse than the mafia. They are threatening our life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.

I also believe we should do a very thorough housecleaning next year. Actually, the only one's I can see saving at this time is Lee and Cruz. Now whether they run or not next year is the question. After all the rest of the Republicans stood back and let McConnell and the other cowards jump on them for standing up for what the majority want is what is wrong with our government right now. It seems most of the republicans, as all the democrats believe that we do not know what we really want so they will make up our minds for us.

Why didn't Coburn at last stand up to McConnell when he was browbeating Cruz and Lee? They were fighting for what the people wanted, weren't they? I AM TALKING ABOUT WHAT THE MAJORITY WANTED, NOT WHAT ANY INDIVIDUAL POLITICIAN OR GROUP WANTED. No, I still stand by what I said because, after all, the wishes of the majority are still SUPPOSED to be what gets things passed in government. And if we get someone who abides by this, then we have someone we should appreciate by backing them at the polls.

It is quite clear you are confused . Texas has the largest % of uninsured in the nation followed by South Carolina . It seems abundantly clear that Senator Cruz only represents the people he wants to represent , not the 25 % who are uninsured . While the Koch sponsored minority spend billions pedaling their propaganda the rest are left to suffer . Cruz is incapable of finding a middle ground and representing all the citizens because he is chained ( owned ) to the high dollar FEW . Evidently he thinks the way to higher office can be bought and paid for by the Koch brothers . He is not a legislator so much as a mouthpiece . Your claim that the majority of the country does not want the ACA is complete bullshit . If the uninsured people of Texas had any representation Cruz would be recalled . Koch and the insurance companies don't want it and now that money = free speech they can afford it .

It is quite clear you are confused . Texas has the largest % of uninsured in the nation followed by South Carolina . It seems abundantly clear that Senator Cruz only represents the people he wants to represent , not the 25 % who are uninsured . While the Koch sponsored minority spend billions pedaling their propaganda the rest are left to suffer . Cruz is incapable of finding a middle ground and representing all the citizens because he is chained ( owned ) to the high dollar FEW . Evidently he thinks the way to higher office can be bought and paid for by the Koch brothers . He is not a legislator so much as a mouthpiece . Your claim that the majority of the country does not want the ACA is complete bullshit . If the uninsured people of Texas had any representation Cruz would be recalled . Koch and the insurance companies don't want it and now that money = free speech they can afford it .

I also believe we should do a very thorough housecleaning next year. Actually, the only one's I can see saving at this time is Lee and Cruz. Now whether they run or not next year is the question. After all the rest of the Republicans stood back and let McConnell and the other cowards jump on them for standing up for what the majority want is what is wrong with our government right now. It seems most of the republicans, as all the democrats believe that we do not know what we really want so they will make up our minds for us.