Moorestown Democrats

In an never ending struggle to push the center to the far right, more and more crazy ideas and proposals keep coming out of Republican candidates nationwide.  Many of them are just catering to the narrow slice of tea party craziness, seeking an edge in a contested primary.  The tactics are increasingly crazy and irrational statements, such as the candidate from Tennessee advocating secession from the Union.  Birthers galore, trying to outdo each other.  Fox News is obsessed with two minor "black panther" characters from election day 2008, somehow thinking it's a national issue and also relevant today.    The net result is that what seemed crazy a few years ago, is now more "accepted", more "mainstream". But only because crazy keeps pioneering new frontiers, continually stretching the borders.  There are a lot of historical parallels.  Not all of them turned out well.  Look for examples in the next few days.

It's not the Democrats, nor the Republicans, nor the Tea Partiers, nor the Independents who lose when lunacy becomes a significant part of the political vernacular.  No, it's the American public.  I hear a lot of comments saying "that I'm concerned about the direction of this country."   Count me in too, but for different reasons.