"Ship of fools" - very eloquent explanation of how the GOP is destroying itself

http://www.economist.com/world/unitedstates/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12...

I could not have said it better myself. This very eloquently sums up
all my issues with the current incarnation of the GOP. Furthermore, if
they continue to believe that the solution to their declining
popularity is to move further to the right, especially on social
issues, the party is doomed. Sadly (for them) I think this is the
direction they're headed (if Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh et al are any
indication). They seem to think that their problem is that they
abandoned their social conservatism (see John McCain) and the answer
is to thump those bibles (see Sarah Palin).

If the Libertarian Party could find a way to soften its harshly
anti-government, anti-public assistance in any form (and support for
drug legalization across the board) they could really pick up
defecting members of the GOP I think. I'm thinking of the fiscally
conservative, socially liberal or centrist crowd. In other words, if
they could move just a little to the center, they could take over as
the second party in the two party system.

Personally, I hope the GOP does collapse. I would love nothing better
than to have two parties, both socially liberal, one fiscally liberal
and one fiscally conservative to battle of the proper role of
government in economic matters, government size and spending, while
simultaneously agreeing that the government cannot, and should not
legislate morality, religion, abortion, sexuality, and any other
number of freedom infringing topics while supporting the environment.

Dare to dream?