By Ed Klein, Peoria, IL

We’re all aware of the many wars being waged around the world today. However, the war I’m referring to is one being waged right here in the United States. No, not the war against Christmas, women or religion, but against the marginalized: the poor, the elderly, the minorities, and even the middle class. The aggressors are pressing their campaign on a number of fronts, so where to begin?

For starters, let’s look at the tactics of some Republican governors, Wisconsin’s Scott Walker, for example, who is considering taking away collective bargaining rights from the police and firefighters who have been exempt from the limitations formerly placed on other public service employees. He was afraid public safety would be compromised if they were to strike. Wonder who convinced him to change his mind? But Wisconsin is not alone in attempts such as those Walker instituted. Union busting seems to be a popular tactic for Republican governors. Another tactic has been taken by South Carolina’s Governor McCrory. He is using the most draconian voter suppression laws in the U.S. aimed at the poor and minorities – taking away one of our most precious rights – the ability to elect our representatives.

Some fast food organizations have launched a full-scale assault on the minimum wage law by lobby their Republican representatives and trying to buy their votes to accomplish their goals. And while we’re talking minimum wages, Republicans Ted Cruz and Mario Rubio are launching a poison gas attack by trying to do away with a minimum wage altogether. Nice guys, but I suppose all’s fair in love and war, especially when you leave out the love.

Maybe the Republicans looked in the Bible for a way to justify their war and saw that message where Jesus tells us the poor we will always have among us. Trouble is, they shut the book too soon and missed the part where the Lord talks about love, compassion, understanding and aiding the poor and those who seek justice. But when one’s bible is based on unfettered capitalism and the acquisition of money and power at all costs, I think we have an answer as to where they’re coming from – and where they wish the rest of us would go. Perhaps a more basis explanation lies in an observation called Hanlon’s Razor that says, “Do not attribute to malice that which can be so easily explained by stupidity.” We might also point out the reverse which is true of many Republicans – “Do not attribute to stupidity that which can be so easily explained by malice.