Let's face it, right-wingers dislike things they can't control, that are independent of their own strict, harsh, narrow way of thinking. This is, of course, an authoritarian mindset at its roots. It is also profoundly contrary to the Founding Fathers' "original intent" for our country, which valued independence (from England, from central control) above all, and which built checks and balances into the system in order to guarantee that no tyranny would ever arise to trample us. In other words, these concepts have comprised the essential core of the entire American system of government from the very beginning of our great nation. Today, unfortunately, the Republican Party has strayed far, FAR from that core. Whether it's Tom DeLay gerrymandering his opponents out of existence and stifling the power of the House ethics committee in order to protect himself; President Bush forcing out/marginalizing independent-minded officials like Paul O'Neill, Christine Todd Whitman, and Colin Powell; or Bill Frist invoking the "nuclear option" in order to get his way, it's the same basic thing. In each case, it's a blatant attempt to win at all costs, to destroy what is seen as threatening, and to rein in any person or institution that dares to stray from central right wing orthodoxy. This is fundamentally anti-independence, anti-freedom, and anti-American.
Earlier today, we witnessed yet another perfect example of this behavior, as President Bush announced the nomination of Chris Cox, one of the most pro-business politicians around (and an enthusiastic disciple of Ayn Rand), to head up the Securities and Exchange Commission, the government agency charged with ensuring compliance with and enforcement of our nation's securities laws.
Cox replaces William Donaldson, a strong believer in "independent oversight of corporations," according to Business Week. The magazine continues, "Donaldson's political independence was noted by many in Washington and was rare in the Bush administration, which prizes loyalty." But loyalty to what? To the ideals of our country? To freedom? To the rights of average investors? Or to the Bush Administration itself? Unfortunately, it appears that it's the latter, given how Donaldson was harassed and hounded from office.
Aside from the FEC, right-wingers fear and despise a free press, independent of their "party line." This fact, of course, should be blatantly obvious to every American by now. Just recently, the right-wing assault on Newsweek for an error of detail in a overall story -- the abuse of Muslim prisoners in U.S. detention facilities -- that was largely true was a perfect case in point. The fact is, whether or not a Koran was "flushed" down a toilet or desecrated in some other way, Muslim prisoners at "Gitmo" have been subjected to treatment designed to humiliate them as Muslims. Things like "sexual touching, wearing miniskirts and thong underwear and in one case smearing a Saudi man?s face with fake menstrual blood," according to an insider?s written account. So who does the Bush Administration attack for this? The people violating American ideals and standards, or the independent media? Take a guess.
Another example of this authoritarian mindset is right-wingers' opposition to an independent judiciary. Despite the fact that this principle is spelled out very clearly in our constitution, the right wing detests independent judges because they represent a center of power outside of their control. Which is why one of the fiercest charges you hear leveled against judges is that they are (supposedly) "unaccountable." Of course, that's the whole point, isn't it, that the judiciary branch should constitute a branch of government that's independent (although they are confirmed by the Senate and can be impeached) from the Executive and Legislative branches? I believe this is called Civics 101. But, for right wingers frustrated and enraged at their extreme agenda being blocked, their frustration with the constitutional separation of powers leads not to negotiation with the judicial branch but to the ham-handed "nuclear option."
We could go on and on. Right wingers hate: independent scientific inquiry, independent academia, independent Public Broadcasting, independent art and artists, independent nations and international institutions (i.e., the United Nations) outside their complete control, etc. On the issue of energy independence, right wingers claim they don't like it, but then refuse to do anything about it. Same thing regarding trade deficits with China.
Here in Virginia, it's interesting that the one candidate that right-wingers are the most upset about these days is the independent in the race -- Russ Potts, independent Republican. What makes right wingers particularly angry is that Potts, and other Republicans like him, are willing to think for themselves (i.e., independently), to reach across the aisle, and even to make deals with the evil Democrats. God forbid. In particular, right wingers are engraged at the 2004 budget deal which restored Virginia's fiscal solvency through, in part, tax increases.
Given all this, perhaps it's time to rename the Republican Party. I suggest calling it the "Dependence Party," or the "Authoritarian Party." I also suggest asking right wingers a variant on the question they love to taunt liberals with. Namely, "why do you hate the core American values of freedom and independence?" Obviously, it's a rhetorical question. Unfortunately, we already know the sad and disturbing answer.