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South Park Republicans
Tech Central Station ^ | 10/07/2002 | By Stephen W. Stanton

Posted on 09/07/2003 2:34:23 PM PDT by Behind Liberal Lines

Picture a typical Republican. Perhaps you see images of George Bush, John Ashcroft, Ronald Reagan, or maybe even Alex P. Keaton. Basically, many people think Republicans are a bunch of stodgy white guys with money.

Times are changing. The Republican A-list now includes Colin Powell, Christie Whitman, J.C. Watts, and Condoleeza Rice. Women and minorities have been making great strides in the party, but they generally dress, talk, and act like their predecessors. You are more likely to find them at a formal reception than a rock concert.

If Republicans are so different from mainstream America, then who voted for them? The nation has more Republican congressmen and state governors than any other political party, plus control of the White House. There are not enough Alex P. Keatons to account for these election results. Our nation is among the most diverse on earth. Half of the voters are women, a quarter are minorities. There are millions of union workers, retirees, immigrants, government workers, customer service employees, and individuals in low paying jobs, unemployed or on some form of public assistance. All of these groups are expected to lean left. Surely, the stodgy, affluent, religious white guys are outnumbered in the electorate by a huge margin. Yet Republicans candidates still do well. How is that possible?

The answer could very well be the "South Park Republicans." The name stems from the primetime cartoon "South Park" that clearly demonstrates the contrast within the party. The show is widely condemned by some moralists, including members of the Christian right. Yet in spite of its coarse language and base humor, the show persuasively communicates the Republican position on many issues, including hate crime legislation ("a savage hypocrisy"), radical environmentalism, and rampant litigation by ambitious trial lawyers. In one episode, industrious gnomes pick apart myopic anti-corporate rhetoric and teach the main characters about the benefits of capitalism.

South Park Republicans are true Republicans, though they do not look or act like Pat Robertson. They believe in liberty, not conformity. They can enjoy watching The Sopranos even if they are New Jersey Italians. They can appreciate the tight abs of Britney Spears or Brad Pitt without worrying about the nation's decaying moral fiber. They strongly believe in liberty, personal responsibility, limited government, and free markets. However, they do not live by the edicts of political correctness.

The South Park Republicans are an incredibly diverse group encompassing a variety of nontraditional conservatives, such as the Terminator, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Bruce Willis supported Republicans because of their commitment to lower taxes and fiscal discipline. Rap artist and movie actor LL Cool J recently endorsed NY governor George Pataki.

The most important South Park Republicans are not famous. They are the millions of people of every age, race, sex, and religion that generally agree that government spending is usually not the best way to deal with the nation's problems. Many of these individuals can tell you why Ayn Rand should displace some other authors in high school literature classes. They know firsthand from endless hours at the DMV, at the post office, and preparing income tax forms that government wastes time and money. They know a nation cannot tax its way to greatness.

If he were alive today, John F. Kennedy could very well be a South Park Republican. He rightly proclaimed, "An economy hampered by restrictive tax rates will never produce enough revenues to balance our budget-just as it will never produce enough jobs or profits." You read that right. JFK was a supply-side tax cutter. His alleged private exploits would place him squarely within the South Park wing of the Republican Party.

Sound farfetched? There have been many Democrats that changed parties. Ronald Reagan, Senator Phil Gramm, and Mayor Mike Bloomberg were all once Democrats that became Republicans. The Democratic Party moved left, and the people that stood in the same place increasingly found their views shared by the elephants of the GOP. But not all elephants belong in the same herd. Pat Buchanan pushes a Christian/protectionist agenda that has absolutely nothing in common with the Libertarian folks who support free trade and complete separation of church and state. Depending on whom you ask, "Conservative" can mean smaller government of lower hemlines. (Hint: South Park Republicans are more likely to get Cosmo than the Weekly Standard.)

The South Park Republicans are not new, though they may now be more vocal. The party finally seems willing to embrace members that listen to the hard rock and rap music long denounced by the old guard. Heck, even vegetarians are welcome.

The media generally misrepresents Republicans as religious rich white males. This is patently false. Half of the voting public is Republican. They watch R rated movies, enjoy a few drinks at happy hour, and even go to the occasional Wrestlemania. Hopefully, the South Park Republicans will shatter the unfair stereotype and set the record straight. As Cartman would say, "That would be pretty sweet."


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Editorial; Philosophy; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: cartman; gop; southpark; southparkrepublicans; sweet
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Sweeeeeeet....

1 posted on 09/07/2003 2:34:24 PM PDT by Behind Liberal Lines
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To: Behind Liberal Lines; Akira
South Park bump
2 posted on 09/07/2003 2:35:57 PM PDT by LibertyThug (Dagny Taggart's Alter Ego)
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To: Behind Liberal Lines; SouthParkRepublican
As Eric Cartman says,"Democrats suck!".
3 posted on 09/07/2003 2:36:34 PM PDT by Vigilantcitizen (Herman Cain for senator.)
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To: Behind Liberal Lines
I love the south park republican-ism.
4 posted on 09/07/2003 2:37:12 PM PDT by EggsAckley
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To: viligantcitizen
He usually says, "Democrats piss me off!"
5 posted on 09/07/2003 2:38:49 PM PDT by Timesink
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To: Behind Liberal Lines
Screw you guys...I'm going home!
6 posted on 09/07/2003 2:41:34 PM PDT by Allegra
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To: Behind Liberal Lines
However, they do not live by the edicts of political correctness.

In contrast to Democrats, that live and die by whatever is the prevailing party line.

7 posted on 09/07/2003 2:43:50 PM PDT by elbucko
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To: Behind Liberal Lines
If he were alive today, John F. Kennedy could very well be a South Park Republican. He rightly proclaimed, "An economy hampered by restrictive tax rates will never produce enough revenues to balance our budget-just as it will never produce enough jobs or profits." You read that right. JFK was a supply-side tax cutter. His alleged private exploits would place him squarely within the South Park wing of the Republican Party.

How come no Pubbie gets this CONCEPT into the mainstream press? Most of the voting electorate are so friggin ignorant they think Martin Sheen (West Wing) is president.

8 posted on 09/07/2003 2:45:23 PM PDT by Cobra64 (Babes should wear Bullet Bras - www.BulletBras.net)
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To: Behind Liberal Lines
"Oh my God . . . they killed Kenn(ed)y!"
9 posted on 09/07/2003 2:46:19 PM PDT by JoeSchem (Which way is Arnold's political weather vane pointing today?)
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To: Behind Liberal Lines
Right On. There are a lot of us who vote Republican. Most of my meals are macrobiotic vegetarian and I am libertarian on several issues. The main issues for me are welfare reform, economics, and National Security. And I'm 100% in favor of the Republican Party on those important concepts. Long live America. Let Freedom be Forever. Amen
10 posted on 09/07/2003 2:47:44 PM PDT by Soliv123
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To: Behind Liberal Lines
The media generally misrepresents Republicans as religious rich white males... Hopefully, the South Park Republicans will shatter the unfair stereotype and set the record straight.

Oh, I hope not. The longer the media and the Demonrats (But I repeat myself) remain delusional and go on raving impotently with their tired, worn-out stereotypes, the more credibility they lose, and the stupider they look when people find out the truth elsewhere...

11 posted on 09/07/2003 2:54:44 PM PDT by fire_eye
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To: Behind Liberal Lines

Can't leave out Sexual Harassment Panda, becuase there's no better way to teach kids about Sexual Harassment, than w/ a Panda.

12 posted on 09/07/2003 2:56:32 PM PDT by OXENinFLA
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To: Behind Liberal Lines
Gad...anyday now we'll find Clinton has changed his registration to the GOP, thinking it stands for Girls on Parade. Video soon to be released: GOPers Gone Wild.
13 posted on 09/07/2003 2:57:19 PM PDT by anniegetyourgun (Conservative, and so misunderstood.)
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AHHH! The Death Camp of Tolerance..

Wed, 17 10:00 PM Comedy Central

14 posted on 09/07/2003 2:59:32 PM PDT by RandallFlagg ("There are worse things than crucifixion...There are teeth.")
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To: Behind Liberal Lines
"industrious gnomes pick apart myopic anti-corporate rhetoric..."

The Underpants Gnomes!

15 posted on 09/07/2003 2:59:58 PM PDT by SelmaLee (Bush-Cheney '04)
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To: Soliv123
Another South Park Republican bump.

I remember when I first starting listening to Limbaugh. He was starting to get some publicity and frankly, what I heard worried me (I was still a Dim), so I thought I tune in and see what he was up to.

One of the first things I noticed was his bumper music. I was really surprised that Republicans listened to 'that kind' of music. I imagined thousands of straight-laced conservatives writhing in agony while Rush played that decadent rock and roll. For some perverted reason, that made me happy. : )

Anyway, I soon learned I didn't have to start listening to Lawrence Welk to be a conservative.
16 posted on 09/07/2003 3:00:33 PM PDT by radiohead
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To: OXENinFLA
Can't leave out Sexual Harassment Panda

OHHH, who lives out by the willower tree?
Sexual Harassment Panda
Who'll teach harassment to you and me?
Sexual Harassment Panda
Don't say that and don't touch there
Don't fool around says the silly bear
Who's gonna teach you what's right from wrong?
Sexual Harassment Panda!!!

17 posted on 09/07/2003 3:02:06 PM PDT by RandallFlagg ("There are worse things than crucifixion...There are teeth.")
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To: SouthParkRepublican
I believe I've seen this screen name before.

Enjoy!
18 posted on 09/07/2003 3:02:57 PM PDT by dixiechick2000 (Back up my hard drive? How do I put it in reverse?)
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To: RandallFlagg
AAAAND...

While catching the end of a news broadcast in South Park:

"But, Hillary Clinton's ass just keeps getting bigger. In other news...."

19 posted on 09/07/2003 3:03:42 PM PDT by RandallFlagg ("There are worse things than crucifixion...There are teeth.")
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To: Soliv123
Right On. There are a lot of us who vote Republican. Most of my meals are macrobiotic vegetarian

I'm about to go across the street and get a Big Macrobiotic and fries right now! ;-)

This article is a breath of sweet fresh air. The media's stereotype is crumbling. (And ... great to have you aboard.)
20 posted on 09/07/2003 3:07:58 PM PDT by hemogoblin (Human shields aren't.)
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