Sen. Vitter symbolic of the new GOP

I really want to like or at least respect Republicans. I once voted for certain Republicans. Unfortunately, when they aren't casting stones at the unemployed or Mexicans simply trying to earn a living, they are making derogatory comments about how people look. Makes it difficult to feel warm and fuzzy about the GOP.

Republican Sen. David Vitter felt compelled to make a wise crack about MSNBC's Rachel Maddow on a right-wing radio talk show today. He implied that she looks like a man. Link to story and audio.

Normally, this might not be a big deal. But during these troubled times, when we are looking for leaders to lead, this stuff is just plain stupid. I realize that Republicans tend to not like anyone who doesn't look or think like they do (not they they are the most attractive group). However, stooping to parochial insults about a political commentator who happens to intelligently expose GOP ignorance on a nightly basis is just beneath a U.S. senator, particularly one who represents a Gulf Coast state with much bigger problems than Rachel Maddow.

Senator Vitter's attack on Maddow is just another indication of how the GOP has fallen. Republicans like to trumpet Ronald Reagan, but Reagan didn't stoop to juvenile yucks on talk radio shows. Yes, Reagan cut taxes. We all know that. Make of that what you will. He took on the Soviet Union and should be credited with many positive things. But modern-day Republicans conveniently forget that there was a certain elegance to Reagan. He was a statesman, not a clown. It was Reagan who first suggested that we and the Soviets reduce our nuclear arsenals to zero. You would think from listening to conservative talk radio that this is an Obama exclusive.

Today's Republicans yell out "you lie" during presidential addresses and giggle and name call on the radio. They apologize to BP and suck up to the Tea Party. They worship Sarah Palin. It's getting more difficult by the day to respect a single member of this political party. Democrats aren't much better, but do seem to have some sense of decorum and connection to reality.

We need at least two viable political parties in this country. Actually, I'd like to see everyone run as independents, but that will never happen. Ideally, I'd like to hear ideas from individual candidates, not political groups. In lieu of that, Republicans need to offer up something that will appeal to voters who aren't thrilled by idiotic, divisive comments and pure political grandstanding. Republicans need better men than David Vitter and Sen. Jim Bunning. They need to elevate the conversation, not by tearing down people who have fallen on hard times or who look a little different but by being more inclusive. This is something that has alluded Republicans for years. When they get in trouble, they rally around their own kind. Well, it's time for Republicans to do what Democrats did in 2008. Open up the tent. Extend a hand. Lead with strength and compassion. Stop stereotyping everything and everyone. Walk in the shoes of those looking for work or who face daily discrimination based on sex, age, race or religion. Then see if you want to giggle about someone's appearance or assume that jobless people are drug addicts.