At the height of the Great Depression in 1933 nearly 25% of the U.S. work force was unemployed (almost 13 million people). Today in 2011 nearly 10% of the U.S. work force is unemployed (over 14 million people), and another 14 million are trying to survive on part-time low-paying jobs. They're called the "under-employed". Millions aren't even included in the (U-3) unemployment rate. We have approximately 16% of the "participating work force" that are jobless in America. Millions more are trying to survive on no income at all. By the end of this year there could be almost 10 million desperate Americans struggling to pay their rent. They're called the "99ers" (or exhaustees"), those who have exhausted all their unemployment benefits. Now the Republicans have been busy trying to cut or reduce unemployment benefits, food stamps, Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security...and they couldn't wait...it had to be done right now...in the middle of The Great Recession, with so many people out of work. So then, how will the 99ers survive? After the economy tanked in 2008, I was laid off from my job and never found gainful employment again. And like most other "conservative Republicans" (such as Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and Bill O'Reilly), I too had blamed the Democrats - - - and then later, Obama. Of course, back then I would have blamed Obama for my headache, not realizing at the time that it was the constant ranting and raving on Fox News that was giving me my headache. The Republicans today (especially the radical Tea Party "Patriots") aren't "uniters", but dividers - - - and they are ripping this nation apart., doing the exact opposite of what Lincoln would do. The Tea Party today reminds me more of the old Southern Dixicrats. And it's become all too apparent to anyone in 2011 that ALL the Republicans only represent the very wealthy and the largest of multi-national corporations, not the common citizen - the small business owner or worker. Democrats represent real people. I finally opened my eyes after 30 years of being a Republican. For ten years I too once watched Fox News and also believed everything they told me. The title of this book doesn't refer to ALL Republican voters, but primarily to the GOP leadership and their enablers. As for the book's cover, many people might think it depicts my rage and murderous desires to kill Republicans. But after reading the book, you decide who's stabbing who in the back. The title of the painting is aptly named "Treachery", and it is apropos in that I had felt totally betrayed by the political party I once affiliated with. And it common knowledge that Fox News promotes the Republican's agenda (and their presidential candidates), and is NOT a genuine "news" channel, just because sometimes they report the news, sports, and weather. The day that Glenn Beck accused me of being a socialist and un-American, and of just wanting a government hand-out, was the very last straw for me. It was then that I had had enough of him, the Republicans, Fox News, and the Tea Party. I've learned that after being a devout Republican all my working life, it wasn't the Democrats, but the Republicans who had been destroying the middle-class and this economy...and they almost destroyed me too. That's why I hate Republicans and the Fox News Channel.
About the Author: Bud Meyers was born in California and has lived in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York, Germany, Hawaii, and most recently Las Vegas, where he has lived and worked since 1989. Bud likes writing lyrics and poems, blogging, playing his guitar, and designing web sites. His other hobbies included photography and videography. He was once a conservative Republican, but is now a Progressive Independent.