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Paranoid GOP Could Make US 'Ungovernable'

Whack jobs' seizure of Republican Party 'no laughing matter'

By Jane Yager,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 9, 2009 7:37 AM CST

(Newser) – The kind of paranoia that made last week's health care reform protesters wave signs showing corpses at Dachau is nothing new in right-wing American politics, but the fact that these people actually wield power is new—and deeply troubling, writes Paul Krugman. "The GOP has been taken over by the people it used to exploit," says the New York Times columnist, in an unprecedented shift that could leave the country "effectively ungovernable in the midst of an ongoing economic disaster."

For decades, says Krugman, the economic elites that ran the GOP courted the "irrational right" during elections—but ignored the fringe's demands in favor of their own economic agenda when it came to actually governing. The tables turned with the 2008 election: People like Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck now hold real power, and if their GOP makes gains in the midterm elections, Krugman sees things getting "very bad for America."

Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., speaks during a rally against the health care reform bill on Capitol Hill in Washington, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009.
Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., speaks during a rally against the health care reform bill on Capitol Hill in Washington, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., addresses the crowd on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, during a Republican health care news conference.
Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., addresses the crowd on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, during a Republican health care news conference.   (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Demonstrators chant on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, during a Republican health Care reform rally.
Demonstrators chant on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, during a Republican health Care reform rally.   (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Demonstrators chant on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, during a Republican health care reform rally.
Demonstrators chant on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, during a Republican health care reform rally.   (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Carolyn Eschenbach from South Carolina chants on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, during a Republican health care reform rally.
Carolyn Eschenbach from South Carolina chants on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, during a Republican health care reform rally.   (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Demonstrators chant on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, during a Republican health care reform rally.
Demonstrators chant on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, during a Republican health care reform rally.   (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 59 comments
janet1003mn
Nov 11, 2009 2:38 AM CST
Jayster, three words for you: READ. THE. FAMILY.
Pragmaticrealism
Nov 11, 2009 2:31 AM CST
@Jay... there is a public NEED for all those things. Like it or not, it is reality. Your beliefs, or at least your postings here, are full of inconsistencies: What do you propose be done with the less fortunate members of society? Or the illegal immigrants? Kill them off?? Don't be a fascist, fascist.
Thinker
Nov 10, 2009 12:49 PM CST
But keep in mind, in a bank full of customers, it's the one, crazy lunatic with a gun that has the power. Even if the right fringe is 10% of the population, the fact that they are crazy and armed gives them power. And they won't hesitate to take that control by force.

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