Under the Georgia Dome
by Dwayne Hood

Sarah Palin declared her independence from the people of Alaska by quitting her job as governor on our nation’s birthday, the Fourth of July. She claimed to answer a “higher calling” to conservative activism in the private sector so she could fight for “truth and justice” for the American people.

Of course her higher calling has nothing to do with book deals, speaking tours or Fox News talk shows that will make her an instant millionaire and cement her place in history as the first major female voice of the Republican Party.

No, she’s doing it all for us.

Meanwhile, GOP stalwarts wish that South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford would answer a higher calling and resign following his bizarre South America love fest with his Argentine “soul mate.” Although his wife and sons have moved out and state residents from both political parties call for his removal, Sanford pledges to stay in office by comparing himself to the biblical King David who also cheated with another man’s wife.

Conservatives have mastered the art of using God and religion to get or keep what they want.

But little piety is now on display in town hall meetings nationwide as hordes of angry screamers shout down questions or debate on health care reform. These are the white, middle class self professed Christians and culture warriors who stoke rage and hysteria to prevent universal health care. It shows a raw ugliness in a struggle between the haves and the have nots. Those with health care want no change that may provide the same care for others.

More than 40 million people, 15 percent of our population, have no access to health care and skyrocketing costs are eroding our economy and driving millions of jobs overseas. For the past 50 years, Americans have griped, whined, complained and worried over health care costs and availability. Now, we have a president who wants to confront the problem and he’s vilified by the GOP.

Read the rest of this entry »