Many people who know me, know that my libertarian leanings have led me to disagree with the Republican party on many things. However, when it comes to the two party system in America, the Republican party comes the closest to matching my ideals, and with whom I usually side, on most issues. That being said, with each passing day, I grow more and more discouraged and distrustful of the current day party. I can no longer say that they closely represent my ideals, because it’s become almost impossible to differentiate Republicans from the Democrats. It’s almost impossible to tell where Republicans draw the moral line and where their beliefs actually lie. It’s for this reason, I’ve decided to give a short historical primer on the party in hopes that people, as well as those that call themselves Republican, will know from where they came.
Democrats and liberals alike love to paint the Republican party as “the party of old rich white men”. You need only listen to any interview with that nut job Janeane Garofalo to hear how Republicans are nothing but racists and minority haters, as shown in this quote she made to Bill Maher in October:
It's obvious to anybody who has eyes in this country that tea-baggers, the 9-12ers, these separatist groups that pretend that it's about policy – they are clearly white-identity movements. They're clearly white power movements. What they don't like about the President is that he's black – or half black (applause) – and they, what also is shocking is that people keep pretending that that's not really the case with these people.
It's very weird that whenever this comes up in conversation, so few people are willing to say that yes it is racism, straight up racism. And the Republican Party has been willing to carry water for racists in this country since about the 1950s
However, she shows the depth of her ignorance in this statement. The Republican Party was born in the 1850’s by a group of anti-slavery activists. The “Great Emancipator” himself, Abe Lincoln, was the first Republican voted into the White House. It was also the Republican party of this day that passed the 13th (outlawing slavery), 14th (granting African-Americans equal protection under the law), and 15th (securing African-American voting rights) amendments.
Along with belief of “Free Soil, Free Labor, Free Speech, Free Men”, the core Republican beliefs are as such (as taken from the GOP site):
- Power and ingenuity of the individual to succeed thru hard work, family support, and self discipline
- Value of voluntary giving and community support over taxation and forced redistribution
- Government must be limited so that it never becomes powerful enough to infringe on the rights of the individual
- Low taxes as individuals know best how to make their own economic and charitable choices
- Free market support of logical business regulation that encourages entrepreneurs to start business to enjoy fruits and satisfaction of self-made successes
- Preservation of national strength and defense while working for peace, freedom, and human rights
These are, at their core, beliefs and values I agree with. While my libertarian mind may disagree on how best to ensure them, they are the same. However, it seems to me, that the Republican party has abandoned these principals. We saw this with George Bush’s implementation of the first auto bailout, the Republican congress’s increased agreeance of tax and spend, and the list goes on. So concerned with bi-partisanship and political correctness, the Republican party disregarded their core values and deserted those that elected them to represent. Today, it’s almost impossible to tell who is Republican and who is Democrat on speech alone. I ask, why is it so important to concede and compromise your beliefs to reach a “middle ground”? If you stick to your principals, the people will follow. I believe this is precisely why the party is a shadow of it’s former self. Having abandoned the values that made the people believe in them, they left the people with no hope. They went so far off course, that the American people, looking for any method of direction change, placed this socialist Manchurian candidate in power today. Sure, now they start to unite, but my trust in them is gone.
It’s for this reason that I believe we should remind those in Congress who they work for and vote them all out!! Democrats and Republicans alike need to be reminded that they work for us, the people. That they were sent to D.C. to represent our wants and ideals. With current direction, Republicans are starting to unite and rally against the so called “change” that Obama is bringing, but I fear it may be too little, too late. A message must be sent, a message that states, We are in control. Do as we ask or you will be fired! Yes, there are good Republicans in office today, but cherry picking which stay and which go will not send the resounding message required. We must turn over the leadership and let them know that we will no longer tolerate their abuse. Our founding forefathers had the insight to give us the most powerful weapon of all, the power of the vote. We can take back control of our nation with this weapon, but we have to be willing to use it.
To end, I offer you three quotes:
"Now more than ever, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption."
James Garfield, 1877
“So long as the people do not care to exercise their freedom, those who wish to tyrannize will do so; for tyrants are active and ardent, and will devote themselves in the name of any number of gods, religious and otherwise, to put shackles upon sleeping men.”
Voltaire
“People often say that, in a democracy, decisions are made by a majority of the people. Of course, that is not true. Decisions are made by a majority of those who make themselves heard and who vote -- a very different thing”
Walter H Judd
I urge each of you to become involved. The effects of the decisions of today will have impact for decades to come. It is your duty as an American to openly discuss, question, and comment on all policies and opinions. Use this forum if you so desire. If you like what I say, comment and let your voice be heard so that others will know they are not alone. If you disagree, then I offer you to do the same. Debate and comparison of ideas is the only way to affect change. Those who don’t understand the issues, cannot intelligently decide on them. I am not close minded. If you believe me to be wrong, then show me where, but be prepared to acknowledge my arguments as well. As stated by Judd above, it is only the majority that makes themselves heard that decide. For too long, too many have kept a silent voice and the time for that to change is now.
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