From the Young Turks

Pretty accurate...
"The Republicans Aren't Even Trying Anymore
posted by Cenk 06/29/2007 11:36:08 AM EST When is the last time a Republican candidate spoke about ending poverty, or fixing healthcare, or figuring out how end discrimination against minorities in this country? It almost seems laughable, right? You must be wondering -- why would they talk about those things?
When did the Republican Party become so callous that we don't even expect them to address these issues anymore? Perhaps more importantly, when did the press stop asking them the questions or expecting answers?
I haven't heard anyone ask the Republican candidates what their plan to fight poverty in America is. Do they have one? Or are they officially admitting that they couldn't care less?
How about healthcare? They're very good at picking apart Democratic proposals or demonizing efforts to make the system better, but what's their plan? Do Republican candidates have to address this issue or is it expected that they would do absolutely nothing about the healthcare problems in this country, just like the Bush administration has for the last six years?
And if that is assumed by the press, maybe they should let the public know. It might be relevant when you're voting to know what both sides plan to do about vital issues like healthcare and poverty, rather than just the Democrats. It would certainly be relevant to know that one side doesn't care at all.
And how about the plight of minorities in this country? For example, what is the Republican plan to help black people in this country? Are you done laughing yet?
So, the Republicans don't even have to bother pretending that they care to find a solution to the significant inequalities between different races in this country? The press lets this go with barely a mention.
Look, this is not a demand that Republicans agree to affirmative action. I don't even believe in affirmative action. But just saying you don't believe in affirmative action isn't the answer to the problem. It's simply a statement against one of the suggested fixes. That shouldn't be the end of the conversation, that should be the beginning.
Remember when Republicans like Jack Kemp talked about empowerment zones and changing the educational system. You might have agreed or disagreed, but at least he was trying. Is it now simply assumed that breed of Republican is extinct? Is Kanye West right -- do Bush and the Republicans not care about black people?
Based on the Republican candidates for president, this administration and the priorities of Republicans in Congress, the emphatic answer must be YES. They really don't care.
If I was in the press, this might make for an interesting story. Have we become so jaded that the fact that one of the two major parties in the country don't care about black people, poor people or the sick is not really a news story?
And if it's this commonly accepted, for the love of God, let the American people know before they vote again. I was given to understand that the job of journalists is to report the facts to the public.
Of course, the Republican presidential candidates could prove me wrong by coming out with comprehensive proposals for healthcare, fighting poverty and ending racial discrimination. Have you stopped laughing yet? It seems like an outlandish possibility, doesn't it? There is a better chance that they will come up with a plan to stop global warming.
If they are this callous and indifferent to such a large chunk of the population, journalists might do well to report that fact. Or at the very least ask them about it? John McCain, what is your plan to fight poverty? Rudy Giuliani, what are you going to do about racial disparities in this country? Fred Thompson, when you're done writing letters for Scooter Libby, will you ever get around to writing a healthcare plan?
The answers, or lack thereof, might prove to be very interesting."