Once Upon A Time . . .There Was A Republican Party

As a young man, I worked for Senator Howard H. Baker, Jr. (R-Tn), and was proud to do so. He was a thoughtful, decent man with rock-solid moral principles that informed his thinking and his actions. He spoke truth to power and defended the Constitution against assault, even by members of his own party. Sadly, he would no longer be welcome in what passes today as the Republican Party.

Once upon a time . . .

Republicans supported democracies and opposed dictatorships.

Republicans supported NATO and opposed Russia.

Republicans supported international alliances; George Bush (41) rallied the world to oppose Iraq’s take-over of Kuwait.

Republicans supported the assessments of the national intelligence community.

Republicans supported science as a guide to policy.

Republicans supported environmental regulation; Richard Nixon created the EPA.

Republicans supported immigration reform; Ronal Reagan proudly told us that America is a nation of immigrants.

Republicans supported health care reform like Romneycare (the basis of Obamacare), which was originally conceived at the Heritage Foundation.

Republicans supported fiscal restraint and deficit reductions.

Republicans opposed tariffs.