Dangerous Times

I have the eerie sense that forces are at work to move this country to a one-party system.  That may sound odd when the President and the U.S. Senate are both controlled by Democrats, but look at some of the indications:

-- It is not legal for corporations or rich individuals to spend as much money on campaigns and political advertising as they wish.

-- At the same time the limits have been removed on corporate spending, Republican governors in New Jersey, Florida, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, and other states are curbing the power of unions and denying them even the possibility of collective bargaining.

--U.S. Senators, including Pennsylvania’s Senator Toomey, are advancing “Right to Work for Less” laws.  These laws, which allow “free riders” on union benefits and forbid unions to collect dues automatically from their members, have almost destroyed unions in states where they are in place and will have that effect nationally.

--Alternative sources of information, such as NPR and public television, are under attack.

--Voter suppression laws, aimed at Latinos, college students, and blacks, are advancing in Republican controlled states.

--Organizations that help the poor, such as Acorn, have been destroyed or are under attack.

--Commentators on Fox demonize liberals of all types, meanwhile labeling this propaganda as “news.”

--Not only have the red states gained in population since the last census, but in state after state Republican-controlled legislators will draw lines to shut Democrats out wherever possible.

--What once was the moderate wing of the Republican Party has completely collapsed; the hard right now dominates the party.  This wing, led by people like Darrel Issa and Peter King and Tea Party people, are willing to destroy civil society and resort to racism and slander to advance their cause.  They are interested only in taking and keeping power.  Ethics, morality, and civility are not relevant to their purpose.

NOTE:  Tomorrow a friend and I are attending a prayer service and rally in Allentown for Muslims under attack in the House hearings.  An atheist and a Jew off to support the Muslims.  Only in America, right?