My friends, what you are watching is the Decompensation of the Republican Party:

[cilla4progress]

4. Been thinking the same thing..

this IS who they are. Sadly, the candidates only represent an even larger reservoir of an electorate - those who would vote for them - who harbor the qualities you describe. I've been examining why - why America, and 50% of its electorate, more or less, is so regressive. Is it because we have a large rural population? Countryfolk tend to be more conservative, experience less diversity, "clings to guns and religion."

Why is so much of America so backward, compared to other western countries? We had mass immigration in the early part of the last century, which did bring a diversity of peoples. Throughout the 20th century we had more upward mobility than most of the rest of the world. We are a very "religious" country, can it be found there? In our specific brand of capitalism? We have so many resources, so...I don't know...but would be interested in the thoughts of others.

I agree with our President: this election will be very STARK choice between, as you describe them, the path toward our future, or towards a very dark age.