Ranchers, Retirees, and Rednecks gather for Ryan

For the second time in two weeks, the sleepy town of Durango was over-run by secret service agents, as Paul Ryan and John Boehner stomped for votes. They accompanied local GOP clone, Scott Tipton, and sentimental conservative, J Paul Brown.

I'm an admirer of Ryan's late mentor, Jack Kemp. I suppose if he weren't making so many cliche-laden appeals to the social conservative right, I might actually like him.

But really, folks - tt's hard to avoid stereotypes.

- the building was packed with cowboy and baseball caps (with hunting logos)
- the crowd sang "G-d bless America"
- the crowd said the Pledge of Allegiance
- Mark Willis was there to provide early entertainment, and sing the National Anthem
- J Paul Brown (a local Republican) ---- in an emotional moment cried (yes - cried) out "I'm voting Republican for my Grandkids"

In general - the GOP fanfare was more high-voltage emotion than substance.

I lived in Ryan's district for 7 years. He was an average congressman - always shooting for something bigger. Yeah, Janesville lost a factory, and thousands of jobs. That loss had NOTHING to do with who was president. It really didn't have that much to do with the economy. It was a business cycle issue. Janesville had been anticipating a closure for over a decade. The factory was old, and line workers were commanding over $25/hour (before benefits/over-time/incentives). The line was assembling Chevy/GM Suburbans. The closure was inevitable! Kind of surprises me when something like the GM plant is hijacked for political purposes.

When I look at the substance of Ryan's ideas, I just don't see much that's viable. No, I don't want or advocate big government. However, most of the growth in government spending has been a product of 9/11 (Iraq, Afghanistan, defense spending in general, and the TSA). Yes - there was the stimulus (which didn't do much). Beyond the stimulus, National security costs big money (and benefits big corporations). In my own opinion, it's time for those who have enjoyed the benefits - to contribute. The USA cannot sustain major defense spending increases, without raising revenues. Given that defense spending represents half of the discretionary budget, you can't pay for it by trimming - or even eliminating domestic spending.

I do agree with Ryan on examining and reducing entitlement spending. No politician has ever succeeded with modifying entitlements, though.

My biggest objection to Romney/Ryan is that I believe they're more likely to take American into another war. I do not support that.
(last night's debates touched on this topic - and I'd note there' little difference between the two presidential contenders).

Have to agree with a lot of what you said. Ryan/Romney's plans will most likely not get anywhere unless they win all the open Senate seats. I do think RR will be more pro-business and that should help the economy.

And other than Israel, not much difference between Romney and Obama. And if Israel was attacked conventionally or with NBC, even Barack would be sending huge amounts of civvie and military aid.

Lived in Ryan's district? I heard it is a swing district, but somehow the very conservative Ryan keeps getting elected.

Either Romney or Obama is going to be the next president.

Sorry you had to hang out with rednecks- but the fact is that most of the people you saw in that room work for a living.

Obama has millions more out of work than should be- millions more on food stamps and welfare. That's what Obama does - create more poor people.

Romney policy will create more employed people- and lift millions into the middle class.

You saw the typical Ryan supporter last night- allow me to present to you- the typical Obama supporter....
[youtube:2zfd820q][/youtube:2zfd820q]
You choose who you want more of! It's a real choice.

With all due respect BB....I found your thread title and some of your remarks reminiscent of the bitter clinger hateful remarks that have come from this president.
I have spent a lot of time in your current neck of the woods and that is the population of the 4 corners area. They are people who have always worked hard for a living and I felt your comments were pretty condescending towards your neighbors.

if it's any consolation - I have a cowboy hat, and wear it all summer long, and even speak with a twang to keep the tourists happy. I also have a Mossy Oak baseball cap, and wore it while sitting around the fire at elk camp.

What I don't do is elevate my hats or even the good ole red, white, and blue ---- to a point where they define me. I enjoy my hats. I enjoy my flag - but neither defines me. My identity is more distinct than group-think.

Right now, the GOP's key political vehicle is arrogant, naive, group-think. It's the kind of thinking that doesn't mind a good lynching (as long as the lynchee is in an appropriate outcast group). It's the kind of thinking that will lead to another war (something I'm strongly against). It's the kind of thinking that will make America feel great about itself while it amuses and spends itself to death in battle (but hey - it's for a righteous purpose).

Like Paul Ryan - I admired Jack Kemp. However, I don't think Kemp would be positioning America to fight another multi-billion dollar war, while lowering taxes on high income "families." Even Kemp believed in a domestic safety net.

I simply can't vote for shallow cliches and group think.

Roseanne has more substance than the people I heard talking last night.

When I listen to the President, I hear substance. I don't always agree with the substance - but at least there's something to engage.

With the GOP rally, it's just a shallow idolatrous "G-d loves Republicans"

I'm an intelligent, thoughtful human being. Spare me the rhetoric and cliche.

I think his comments are pretty condescending to ALL of the working Americans whether they are farm-country rednecks, or urban-dwellers who work in a McDonald's... But then I would expect nothing more from people who support a clown that says 47% of the U.S. population are "victims" and "takers."

I just consider the source....