Old Fogie

I'll admit to being an old fogie (In 1811 an Old Fogey was a nick name for an invalid, wounded soldier; derived from the French word fougeux, fierce or fiery. The modern sense has changed the use a little, but there is still the element of invalid in the saying. Via The Free Dictionary.) as well. Unlike Joe, the New Guy, I don't get a check from myself every week, but I do consider myself a veteran, a veteran of the peace movement, so there, as I stamp my foot. Digby has an interesting post up about the old fogieness & young turks. Go read it.

Yet I was first shocked, then radicalized by the actions of the modern GOP during the 90's and I believe exactly as he does that hyper-partisanship is going to be with us for the forseeable future.
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By the time all that was over, I no longer saw how it could be possible to forge a consensus or even fashion reasonable bipartisan compromise with these people. While Clinton had been somewhat successful in holding back the tide through his exceptional political skills, it seemed clear to me that the Republicans were determined to kill any remnant of the bipartisan governing style. As it turned out I was right. Since they took power they have consciously ruled with as little Democratic support as they can get away with, finding symbolic cover as necessary with cooperative Democrats like Joe Lieberman. They have consciously marginalized the opposition (or as Hillary said, ruled the government like a plantation) --- and in the process have governed this country in the most dangerous, irresponsible way possible leaving the us with massive debt, international instability and a weaker moral center.
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I do not think there is any hope of bringing these people around. And frankly, considering their track record, I think it's delusional to believe otherwise. At some point, you have to recognize that you are dealing with something that is irredeemable in its present form. Modern conservatism has a malignant core.