Sometimes the truth is Simple. Today's Republicans have become Classic Bullies

[Tom Rinaldo]

At a time when people increasingly are talking about the dangers of bullying in schools, no one calls it by name in Congress, in State Legislatures and in some executive mansions. Victims include lifelong Republicans who are hounded from long held posts in the Party, often through intimidation. Evidence is found in messages left on answering machines of people who dare stand up and challenge their power and priorities.

Like Mafioso bosses the most prominent of this breed of Republicans don't dirty their hands personally when it comes to threatening or using violence. They leave that to security guards. They leave that to spitting mobs outside the capital. They point out who to hate and shadowy figures do the rest.

It's been building for a long time. Republican employed bullies intimidated the vote counters in Florida after the 2000 elections. Burning crosses have been updated to bricks through windows and bullet holes in glass. And in the refined halls of Congress they hold the nation hostage to their demands. Each concession made emboldens them. Each bribe paid ups the ante for the next one.

Bullies have always been around, but they don't always get their way. So it's back to basics, how do we handle bullying? One thing is sure, ignoring it never works.

[Vincardog]

1. When I was a wee lad may decades ago; I used to ignore the bullies until they hit me; then I beat

the living shit out of them.

[Tom Rinaldo]

4. Which raises the natural question, have they hit us yet?

Have they hit us hard enough to matter, or has it just been a few shoulder bumps in the school hallway so far? Is there a stance to now take that can make them stand down, or do we now have to beat the living shit our of them (in the appropriate metaphoric way)?

[Vincardog]

5. In my opinion we now have to beat the living shit our of them (in the appropriate metaphoric way)!

We have to start by kicking all the blue dogs out of OUR party and elect liberals to bring the change we deserve.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. You have said a mouthful, and I so agree.

Recommended.

[DCKit]

3. Note, also, how they portray themselves as the victim whenever called out for their tactics.

Like all bullies, they are also cowards.

[Tom Rinaldo]

6. I think Wisconsin is showing us the way

Workingg people uniting and hitting the streets in the bitter cold of a Midwest winter. Union and non union together. Employed and unemployed together. Young and old together. Poor and Middle Class together. They did it. And they kept on doing it and they still are doing it.

What happens in Wisconsin doesn't have to stay in Wisconsin. Summer's coming and the time is right for marching in the streets.

[GeorgeGist]

7. And Obama ...

the Classic Coward.