To get the idea, read 'It's Even Worse Than It Looks'

Have you noticed how the pontificators of the Republican persuasion refer to anyone who disagrees with them as liberals? I have never been one to place labels on others, though the terms prevaricator, obfuscator, even liar have recently been added to my vocabulary. I must admit that I also liked the term “bat-crap crazy.”

For those who wonder about some of the “hate” rhetoric being spread in the media, and where it comes from, I would like to recommend a book titled “It’s Even Worse Than It Looks,” written by two congressional scholars, Thomas Mann and Norman Ornstein, and published in 2012.

The reason I recommend this book is because the writers chronicle how Newt and his band wrestled control from the batch of arrogant Democrats who had controlled Congress (and our state Legislature) for some 20 years. I can relate to this because I was conned into the movement, only to help put the Republican Party in control and to see them become even more arrogant. I recall one of the movers and shakers at that time telling me that passage of term limits was the only way to wrest control from the Democrats.

The writers also chronicle how Newt and company used the “hate government, except for me” rhetoric, including the most preposterous misinformation and outright lies to achieve their end. If you are wondering how we got to this extreme partisan polarization, this book will answer that question.

By the way, this book is not partisan. The authors back up their facts (not rhetoric) with 20 pages of footnotes. They also include nearly 100 pages of suggestions and solutions that would lead to the repair of our political system as well as solving many of our problems, and they point out the reason none of these are adopted. Quite simply, the Republicans will not go along with anything the president or his party want, because their goal is control and to hell with the American citizens (does “repeal Obamacare” ring a bell?)

So when you see or hear any more hate rhetoric, you might want to think twice before repeating it.  At least it will give you a reason to read the book.

Higgins is a resident of Kalispell