Dr. Morton Skorodin

America is like a three story outhouse: The Republicans on the top story, the Democrats on the second story and all us beautiful humans on the bottom.

The odor down here is intense so it is hard to feel a lot of sympathy for the second story occupants.

The Repubs and Dems sadomasochistic relationship, thus, can only have a fleeting moment of our attention. This was brought to mind when a Democratic commentator whined about the Republicans’ excessive criticism about John Edwards’ expensive haircut.

Of course the people of this land have far weightier concerns.

How do the Repubs do it? Let’s pick them apart, shall we? One element is that Republican self-assured locker-room “common sense” wisdom accompanied by that confident but vacuous facial appearance. Now, I am all for common sense – as long as the actual facts are in agreement.

To keep things in perspective, let’s take a simple example, one upon which we can all agree.

Take a look outside, “common sense” will tell you that the Sun goes around the Earth. Foolishly, considering the repressive atmosphere of the Inquisition, Galileo claimed otherwise. Pope Urban VIII had him imprisoned for life. Galileo turned out to be right, according to Pope John Paul II’s announcement hundreds of years later. Facts trump “common sense” eventually.

Dare we criticize Ronald Reagan? He had that look. And he had that solar panel taken off the White House roof. That set America back thirty years, but was good for corporate profits. Don’t forget, he worked for General Electric. George W. has a similar, but more juvenile, appearance.

Think back to 2000; our brilliant leader, then campaigning for President, announced that no one was interested in fossil fuel conservation. He has a more sober look now.

Take a look at the current Republican contenders AKA Billionaires for Torture. Next time they are on TV turn the sound down and watch their facial expressions. They excluded the honest and humane conservative Ron Paul, congressman from Texas.

He has the kindly demeanor of a family doctor, which is what he is. Harrumph, clearly not presidential timber.

The Repubs often target the Dems and truth is often a casualty. It’s part of the circus. Keep the people’s minds off anything important.

Until recently, many people thought that the Democrats represented the people’s interests in government and are stymied by the Repubs who, as everyone knows, represent big business. I am happy to see the public’s ideas about this evolve. It took the shock of the obvious double cross last November. The people voted to end the Iraq invasion/occupation.

The slaughter goes on and on and on. No, I can not rush to the barricades in defense of that haircut.

No, I want leaders that will take nuking Iran “off the table”. “Our” rulers will not abide any candidate who comes out against nuking Iran. Thus, the sensible and sober ones: Rep. Paul, Rep. Kucinich and Senator Gravel are excluded and made fun of.
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Morton Skorodin, M.D. is a Stillwater resident; e-mail: mortonskorodin@sbcglobal. net