The GOP Reviewed
What is wrong with the Republican Party? My last commentary focused on the GOP’s 5 Propositions for its upcoming primary election. I received many comments from angry GOP members who chastised me for the commentary and especially regarding Prop. 4, which proposes: (read more)
“It’s a dirty job, but someone has to do it.”
What is wrong with the Republican Party?
My last commentary focused on the GOP’s 5 Propositions for its upcoming primary election.
I received many comments from angry GOP members who chastised me for the commentary and especially regarding Prop. 4, which proposes:
Ballot Proposition 4: Public Acknowledgement of God
The use of the word “God”, prayers, and the Ten Commandments should be allowed at public gatherings and public educational institutions, as well as be permitted on government buildings and property.
It is great that so many have responded on this issue. Please continue to do so. It is a pathway for open discourse.
“Walker,” I agree with you. Never said otherwise. I respect all religions including mine. However, being able to bow your head at a baseball game already is your given right under the Constitution of the United States, so…
…why on God’s good Earth do we need to add such a law???
Perhaps you could enlighten us further?
“Ladytex,” I agree with you as well. But, believing in God and acknowledging in public is different from being led by public officials to do so at public events. Perhaps you could respond to my question?
Lastly, “Anonymous,” you also provide honest responses that I agree with, but if the party, your party — MY PARTY, also — wants to know this information, why not send out a questionnaire flyer or an online survey to its members instead of proposing it as part of a ballot, to be considered at a future date to become a law?
All of you seem to take a shot at me as though I have a problem with YOU praying in public, which I do not. That’s your right and my right as well.
I do however have a problem with a political party asking people such questions on a ballot and also in lieu of becoming a specific law in our State Constitution, which could still occur.
Heck, I’ve offered prayers in public myself but that’s my own business and I don’t need a specific law, political party or a public official at an event to “lead me” in prayer to do so. It is NOT a public official’s place or role to lead us in prayer or in a public display of religion, nor should it be. It should be left up to each individual, as the Constitution already allows.
We have churches, mosques, synagogues, etc. so we may be LED into prayer, as we may want it.
I suggest you all think about what I am offering here. I am not against religion or if an individual wants to pray in public. That is NOT what I am saying. NOT at all. Those rights are already established.
Again, what I am saying about Prop. 4 is that we do NOT require such a law and I continue to question why it is so important for a political party to know your religious business as part of the party’s business.
It is NONE of the Republican Party’s business about our religious preferences nor that we should place religious overtures into the Constitution. It is none of its business as it is none of its business who we will vote for. Actually, it is a further intrusion of government into our lives.
Again, such a law is NOT required so why do it?
During the past decade the Republican Party platform has wavered in its sincerity and direction. We as a party have drifted from the Party of Eisenhower, through the Party of Ronald Reagan and into the 21st Century as the Party of George W. Bush. It is a direction that we should reconsider and question the actual goals and objectives of what I believe is a confused and misguided GOP.
I was proud to be a proud member of the GOP during the Eisenhower administration and today I am not so proud of my party.
Instead of focusing on silly and unnecessary questions, as these “propositions,” the GOP should be asking some truly HARD questions to its members, e.g.,
Are you happy with the GOP and its platform?
Are we promoting less or more government over our lives? And why? What do we hope to achieve?
What are the priorities of the GOP? And do we need to change them?
What changes, if any, are needed re: campaign financing?
Do we believe in a Democracy and in Capitalism? Or do we believe in Socialism and Tax-Payer Bail-Outs?
Should we consider specific term limitations of those in political offices?
…and other questions like these.
These more worthwhile questions and others could be asked to make the GOP a stronger and more committed party, a party we could be more proud of and one with more realistic goals and objectives.
You don’t have to agree. If you do not agree, please respond further to explain why the Propositions are needed and/or why you may disagree with my comments on important changes for the GOP.
Thank you.
(Peter Stern, a former director of information services, university professor and public school administrator, is a disabled Vietnam veteran who lives in Driftwood, Texas.)
