Pandering to the fringe will be the GOP's undoing in 2012 elections

As the Republican field narrows to one eventual winner, the 2012 GOP presidential nominee will be facing a divided, angry electorate. There are also 33 Senate seats to be decided, 11 governors up for re-election, and enough open seats in the House to give control back to the Democrats.

The American people have never had a lower opinion of their government then they do today. And the steady decline is a self-inflicted wound.

For the past three years, Congress has done little to prove to the American public that they are capable of anything but partisan bickering, legislation blocking, threats, and an obvious disconnect with the majority of the population.

By pandering to the most radical right wing of the Republican Party and corporate lobbyists, the GOP has purposefully alienated mainstream America.

Their other tragic mistake may be their obsessive focus on promoting totalitarian-style social and economic engineering.

Issues like abortion and environmental protection were thought to be resolved generations ago. Yet the GOP has put them in the spotlight in 2012.

It can no longer be presumed that clean air and water are a promise our government intends to keep. And social conservatives seem as though they will not rest until women are forced to seek abortions in dirty back alleys, as they did before Roe v. Wade made terminating a pregnancy a decision made by a woman and her physician.

While the social circus goes on like a foggy diversion, millions of Americans have been forced to swallow their pride and accept Food Stamps in ever-growing numbers. At the same time, Republicans on the state and federal levels continue their push to cut funding for safety nets, while trying to convince the public that bigger tax breaks for CEO's is the only answer.

Talk is cheap, but living in America is not.

Rising gas and food prices, as well as high unemployment, has carried one-sixth of the population into record breaking poverty levels. The Bush tax cuts, renewed under a GOP threat of a government shut down in 2010, have brought America record deficits and a widening gap between rich and poor.

America cannot thrive under these conditions. Her only chance to maintain her greatness comes from a healthy, educated population that is able to focus on achievement, rather than begging for food outside a homeless shelter.

American voters spoke loudly in 2010, but are clearly disappointed with their decisions. They will speak again on Nov. 6, 2012.

If the Republicans are only willing to listen to lobbyists and CEOs, and voters are angry enough on Election Day, they may be shocked at how much power they lose, even with millions in super PAC money.

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