There is something very significant happening in our country right now and I think anyone who is paying the least bit of attention knows what I'm talking about. The far right are out of control. Are we so naive to think that a democratic president, who came into office with the world on his shoulders, can waive a magic wand and solve every issue in the blink of an eye? These are very complicated issues and they take quite a bit of time to sort through.

The Republican party is virtually dead in the water at this point, and the extreme right wing agenda of the Tea Party seems to be gaining ground. Does anyone really want to live in a country where we are governed by faith mongers? Look at the Delaware primary. Christine O'Donnell just won and she (yes, a woman) is someone who is screaming at the top of her lungs that women should not have the right to an abortion, even in cases of rape and incest. Beyond that she says, according to the good book, you should not only not have sex before marriage but that masturbation is a sin. Are you kidding me?

Are the Tea Partiers wanting to go back to the days of English rule where people are told what they can and cannot do by the government? They keep saying they want the people to take our country back and get rid of many government agencies and policies. How are the people taking our country back when these are the same people who are rallying to restrict our freedoms? Let's examine some of the Tea Party's and Republican views even closer.

1. Demand a Balanced Federal Budget

Great, seems very reasonable and if you don't look under the hood, I think we're all for it. Getting this country out of debt and balancing the budget would be an amazing thing. However, that's not really what is going on. They are talking about cutting taxes with no way to pay for the tax cuts. What does that do? It adds significantly to the country's deficit. Bzzt, sorry. Would you like to go for double Jeopardy where the scores can really change?

2. Move Back to State's Rights

Again, this seems like a great idea in theory. Every state is different and it seems pretty reasonable that a state may know how to handle their particular situations better than having the federal government do it across the nation. OK, let's take a look at Rand Paul. Here's a guy who came out and said that the Civil Rights Act should be repealed, and that each state should be able to make up its own mind. Can you imagine this? African Americans are free in CA but if they take a cross country road trip and go through Alabama they could become slaves. OK, maybe that's a bit far fetched but how about something as simple as that same cross country road trip where they need to stop for gas and are told sorry, white's only. Disgusting.

3. Repeal Obamacare

Now, while I wholeheartedly agree that the Democrats screwed the pooch on the whole health care reform bill due to them seeking bi-partisan support for some reason, do we really want to repeal health care reform? Is it so terrible that insurance companies will no longer be able to deny coverage for pre-existing conditions? How about insurance companies canceling your policy when you get sick? These things will be gone as the provisions of the bill take hold in the upcoming years. Does everyone agree with everything in the bill? Nope, and that includes me. But, something is sometimes better than nothing.

4. Push Tax Cuts Through For Everyone

Here is a situation where it's almost painfully obvious to anyone with half a brain. Extend the tax cuts for everyone except the top 2% in this country. Those making over $250k/yr can afford to pay a bit more in taxes. When the economy is in the crapper, and the unemployment rate is skyrocketing on a daily basis, can we really afford to start taxing 98% of our citizens more? Of course not, but the Republicans like Mitch Mcconnell are threatening to filibuster the vote unless the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy are extended. Why on earth would you punish 98% of the American people in order to serve the top 2%? Doesn't make any sense. And this garbage about it hurting small businesses? Well, let's remember that we are not talking about mom and pop shops down the street. We are talking about the legal definition of a small business and guess what? Some of those "small businesses" are Fortune 100 companies.

We don't live in a perfect world, nor a perfect country, but we as a people need to come together and do what is right for everyone. It is unacceptable to restrict people's freedoms. It is unacceptable to make decisions based on whether or not you will appeal to your base and/or go against your party. It is time that we abolish these ridiculous parties and encourage people on all sides to look at the facts of each issue, talk to their constituents, and vote in the best interest of the American public. That's what they are sent to Washington to do and unfortunately the political game is getting out of hand.