Republican madness

Is the GOP insane? Recently President Obama let us know that Republican plans to return to economic policies of the Bush years is "madness."  He further reminded us that previous Republican presidents would not even recognize today’s Republican party.

One of the definitions of insanity is to continue doing the same thing and expecting different results.  President Obama commenting that the Republican party may be “mad” is a kind way of saying they are eerily close to being insane.  After 30 years of trickle-down economics and failed policies, rather than look to new ways to move our economy forward, the GOP continues to return to those policies that go us here. 

Republicans such as Paul Ryan, R-Wis., chairman of the House Budget Committee, said Obama's spending and regulation policies are driving the nation to record debt and high unemployment.  Yet, those policies are similar to the ones that helped our nation (including the middle class) experience a boom during the 1950s. 

At another event, President Obama also supposed that today’s Republicans wouldn't elect Abraham Lincoln if he were alive today.  President Lincoln, even in the midst of the Civil War, was dedicated to our country’s infrastructure and advocated for the Transcontinental Railroad. And Dwight Eisenhower was responsible for our interstate highway system.  These presidents recognized that infrastructure not only brings our country together, but helps create and maintain jobs. 

Yet, the conservative House refused to consider a Senate bill that would have provided two years of funding for highways and other transit projects.  President Obama signed a 90-day extension of the federal transportation act allowing for these essential functions to continue on a limited basis. 

While the President’s comments may be him sharpening his campaign rhetoric, there is also a level of reality to consider.  Since the GOP has been pushing away from the funding of projects that made this country great, continue to push for deeper cuts and failed economic policies, and continue to move further to the right – it seems that the GOP may be truly insane after all.