GOP’s Southern strategy

Originally from a northern state, I have spent the last 30 years working at Fort Rucker and living in Enterprise. During all of those years, the one thing that has absolutely amazed me is how the Republican Party has been able to convince Southern voters to vote against their own (economic) interests.
Not to oversimplify, but, to me, I see one group that benefits the most when the GOP is in power. That group would be the super rich of this country. It is undeniable that the rich have gotten richer over the last 30 years and that the wealth of the nation is being concentrated in the hands of the few. This concentration of wealth by the few allows them to use their money to influence politicians for their benefit. We have come to a point where some might think we are a plutocracy rather than a democracy.
But we still do have elections in this country. The problem for the rich guys is that they have to persuade enough of us underlings that they know best and will do what is right if they are given the reins of power.
The wealthy do “invest” their money in “buying” our politicians, as well as investing in the media markets that inundate us with the likes of Limbaugh, Hannity, O’Reilly, et al, who act as GOP talking point echo chambers.
In the South, the GOP always wins by using its tried and true platform: God, guns and gays. This is very effective down here in the South; not only does it get the votes, it doesn’t cost anything in dollars.
It is not like they are offering anything like affordable, universal health care. In times past, a politician would at least promise “a chicken in every pot” to try and win over a voter. But what Southerners are promised is that the GOP will put prayer back into public school. They promise to do away with a woman’s right to choose. They scare Bubba into thinking that the Feds are going to take his guns. And, of course, they want to force gays back into the closet.

In addition to the “God, guns and gays” strategy to win votes in the South, I forgot to mention that we have a black guy running this time. And his middle name is Hussein! And I hear he is a Muslim! That kind of sounds like the John McCain ads I have been hearing lately.

The GOP has had a relatively easy time in convincing the Southern electorate to vote its way by using the wedge issues mentioned above.

One positive outcome of the financial crisis we are now going through is that it tends to cause one to focus on the issues and politics.

Somehow the issue of two guys having sex across town doesn’t seem quite as important when you’ve lost your job, or you are being threatened with foreclosure, or when a child needs a serious operation that you can’t afford, or your retirement nest egg is quickly evaporating.

Come on people; we can do better. Vote straight Democratic.

George G. Reese Jr
Enterprise