The Rise of the "Demoblican"

Kurt Vonnegut's book "Cat's Cradle" has more profound statements on life then just about anything I've ever read. In his mythical religion "Bokononism" he develops his own vocabulary including one of my favorite words "Granfalloon" (Not the bar, although that is what it is named after) which he defines as "a proud meaningless association of human beings." He gives examples as things like "the Communist Party" and "any nation, any time, anywhere." If religion is the opiate of the masses, then partisan politics must truly be the crystal meth. The only comparison I can draw to politics that turns what otherwise would be rational human beings into blathering idiots is professional sports. Boooo!!! Marcus Allen wears a black jersey and scores touchdowns for Al Davis. Boooo black jersey!!! Yaaayyy!!! Marcus Allen wears a red jersey and scores touchdowns for Lamar Hunt. Yaaayyy red jersey!!! Boooo!!! Paul Morrison is an evil oppressor with an elephant lapel pin putting the downtrodden in Johnson County jails. Boooo elephant pin!!!! Yaaayyy!!! Paul Morrison is the savior of Kansas with a donkey lapel pin bringing truth and justice to all. Yaaayyy donkey pin!!! Uhhh. Aren't they both the same guy? So all I have to do to become a completely different person is change my self-applied label? If only real life was that easy. Capt. Spaulding calls the recent switch of Chris Koster from red to blue "Republicrat to Demoblican." I couldn't agree more. What's the difference? So he's fired Republican strategist Jeff Roe? So what? When I first heard mention of Jeff Roe I asked a friend who he was and the reply was "he's the republican Pat Gray." "NorthStar, Axiom Strategies, same thing." "Oh I see" was my instant reply. Everything has a context. What would all these rabid red shirts and blue shirts do if there arose a viable third party? What about a fourth or fifth party? You mean people might actually have to think a little before they voted? Candidates might have to form (gasp) a coalition of interests? Perish the thought! We've become so ensconced with the notion of two parties, we've forgotten the principals of the republic. I was taught that a representative form of government involves representing your constituents. These days it seems an elected official represents their party. Forget the people. Especially if they're wearing the wrong lapel pin. I hope somebody starts the Granfalloon Party. I'm not sure what the lapel pin would look like though...