It becomes clearer every day that there are not only two parties in Washington, D.C., but there are also two wings of the Republican Party. Conservatives who fight for limited government, fewer taxes, less regulation, more freedom, devolving federal power to the states, prudent immigration, and constitutional principles.
The other wing?
Whether you call them RINOs (Republican In Name Only), liberal Republicans or the Establishment, for them, it’s all about retaining the power that comes from working their well-established connections around “town.”
Some have raised the question, ‘You don’t really think that these members want to help/support/defend Obama’s agenda and policies – do you?’
Hopefully not, but their actions seem to align a lot closer with liberals than conservatives on many issues, so it’s hard to say.
So what guides these powerful liberal Republicans?
Here are the 8 RINO rules:
1. Bait and Switch
This can also be referred to as “politics over principle” or “don’t fight now, fight later”. Members that have roamed the halls of Congress for multiple years have made a lot of campaign promises along the way, and they have undoubtedly broken a few of them. Some even admit a broken promise. Just look at Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) admitting he lied when asked whether he would honor his term limits commitment. When it comes to the big promises, you’d think politicians would stick to them.
This is where bait-and-switch comes into play: find a reason and tell the press in spin-o-riffic fashion why a vote for or against that promise would ultimately be a wasted vote. To them, party comes first, the next election, or the next fight. This is the main reason that the proverbial can continually gets kicked down the road. That really core thing, like not raising taxes – that will be fought for next time.
Right now is about keeping power, gaining goodwill for self-advancement, or supposedly gaining leverage, ironically the leverage doesn’t actually get used.
2. Show Me the Money
Votes win elections and money is used to get votes, therefore simple calculus tells a RINO that money is the most important thing ever. It just so happens that special interest has lots of money. So what if this vote will raise taxes? Don’t worry, the Establishment needs this vote to remain in power and appease the special interest. This rule usually coincides with adherence to #1 where special interest greases the skids for the passage of a 1000-page bill as long as there is something that tips the scales in their favor. Unfortunately, it is easier to lobby Congress for a handout than it is for special interests to innovate.
3. Fear
This one is simple – they instill fear in you the voter. You don’t want a Democrat in office – do you? Of course you don’t, so you must vote for the RINO. But don’t worry, all those things they do that seem morally repugnant, they are just pragmatic actions to remain in power. Again, you don’t want a Democrat in office – do you?
4. Governing
This word is politician-speak for capitulation. If they ever use this word, they are probably a RINO, because it means they are more concerned with keeping power, making friends, or raising money. So again, governing involves politics over principle, money, and then of course, fear.
5. Double Standards
RINOs love double standards. They moan and complain about conservative primary challenges, but two years away from their next election, they will spend millions bashing and hammering conservatives back home in an effort to soften the ground for their next race. They will taint every conservative candidate as an unwashed, unelectable, extremist wacko, but the minute their people are caught with baggage (Steve Scalise (R-LA) with David Duke and Thad Cochran (R-MS) with neo-confederate organizations) they circle the wagons. As long as you support amnesty and are a member of the governing elite in good standing you can do no wrong. Again, politics, money, and fear are major cornerstones of these members, and they work well when it comes to double standards. Plus, double standards help them explain away their sellout votes with ease.