Four more years of...

I know how dejected Republicans must feel today.

I grew up as part of a large, staunchly Republican, extended family. Over the years, a few family members actually ran for public office as Republicans; and, some even won. My immediate family, and I, actually campaigned for the original “Mr. Conservative,” Barry Goldwater, during his failed 1964 campaign for President. I was “totally bummed” when “my guy” was easily defeated. He received only 39% of the popular vote, which translated into just 52 votes in the Electoral College. President Lyndon Baines Johnson received 486 Electoral College votes.

Even in defeat, Barry Goldwater was still widely respected in Arizona (he was a five term U.S. Senator from Arizona).

Yet, in his later years, the Republican Party of Arizona turned on him. Some members even demanded that his name be removed from the Arizona Republican Party Headquarters building. His “sin” was that, like most Republicans of his generation, he had become “far too liberal” for an increasingly conservative, and militant, Republican Party.

Barry Goldwater actually came out in support of allowing gays to serve in the military. He also worked with a bipartisan group to eliminate job discrimination based on sexual orientation. He was quoted as saying that “gays have a constitutional right” to be who they are. He was, of course, very right, when his Party had become so very wrong.

Barry Goldwater was also highly critical of the Republican Party’s increasing embrace of the “Religious Right.” He angered Republicans by openly endorsing a Democrat, rather than the good “Christian Conservative” candidate that they had endorsed. Barry’s candidate won.

At some point, I became aware of Barry’s having been labeled as being “too liberal” for the Republican Party. Not long before his death, I wrote and asked him about it. His reply was that his positions were simply “common sense.” I wrote back, and said “I agree.” After over 100 years of solid Republican Party support, the majority of my extended family had left the once proud Republican Party due to the destructive path they’d chosen to follow.

Barry Goldwater is just one of many past prominent Republicans who would not meet current Republican Party “standards.” Some others would include:

• Abraham Lincoln – He failed to respect “State’s Rights.” He interfered with private businesses (slavery was "necessary if their businesses were to survive"). And, he took private property (their slaves) without compensation.

• Dwight D. Eisenhower – He expanded Social Security. He interfered with “State’s Rights” by sending federal troops to Arkansas to enforce public school desegregation. And, he initiated a massive public works project which created the Interstate Highway System (a system which continues to irritate thousands of drivers a day as they commute to and from work).

• Ronald Reagan – He actually negotiated with Democrats and compromised when necessary to secure a deal. He even raised taxes (contrary to the revisionist teachings of Grover Norquist and the modern day Republican Party).

The Republican Party of today is clearly in trouble. Demographic trends are against them. There simply aren’t enough rich white men to consistently elect Republicans. And, while “Christian Conservatives” have been successfully exploited to provide reliable Republican votes, younger voters overwhelmingly reject the divisiveness caused by inflexible religious doctrine. Even most strongly religious individuals have come to realize that the U.S. Constitution won’t allow discriminatory religious doctrine to be the law in our nation. Besides, Christians too have been hurt by the irresponsible fiscal policies of the Republican Party.

If the Republican Party is to remain relevant in the future, they must purge the extremists - who have led them astray - from their ranks. They must accept responsibility for the Bush years, and admit that starting two wars while giving huge tax cuts to the very wealthy was not responsible. They must pledge to negotiate in good faith to move our nation forward. They must renounce pledges to powerful special interest groups which prevent them from putting our nation first. They must stop using divisive “social issues” to win votes. It’s not healthy for our nation.

And, Republicans must recognize and embrace that we are a diverse nation – not simply a nation of rich white men. For the strength of the Republican Party, and more importantly, the strength of our nation, they must embrace our nation’s diversity and learn to represent all Americans, not just the favored few.

To be sure, I don’t expect to see such changes any time soon. The modern day Republican Party “brand” is quite opposed to it, and their core voters are very committed to their narrow agendas. Besides, the very wealthy are very pleased with Washington gridlock, as it allows them to continue to benefit from historically low tax rates.

Watch closely what Republicans do over the next two years – especially those Grover Norquist controlled Republicans. Will they continue to hold our nation hostage by demanding more tax cuts for the very wealthy, with absolutely no compromise allowed? Or, will they put our nation first and begin to represent all Americans, not just the extremist fringe?

If the Republican Party continues to embrace the “new and improved brand” imposed by Karl Rove and Grover Norquist (two real life “Lead from Behind” dictators), their Party, and our nation, will continue to suffer.

Election Day 2012

It’s finally Election Day. I spent last night reviewing the various largely unknown candidates running for “chief dog catcher,” or some other such “vitally important” elected position.

I also took the time to call a few “friends” and relatives who I know from earlier conversations plan to vote for the “other guys.” In the spirit of Fox News, I encouraged them to keep an open mind, think hard about all the messages they’d heard, and make sure that they get to the polls early on Wednesday morning to make sure that their voice is heard.

The news, and the accompanying political ads, presented a real contrast this morning. In New Jersey, every effort was being made to ensure that everyone who wants to vote is allowed to vote, despite their being left homeless by Hurricane Sandy. Meanwhile, in Minnesota, voters are being asked to make it significantly more difficult – and more expensive – for some people to vote.

Like the Marriage Amendment, the photo-ID amendment was designed to drive loyal Republicans to the polls. Neither should have been placed on the ballot, but after promising a “laser focus” on jobs and the economy, the amendments were the only things the Republicans were able to produce.

Yet, it’s hard to deny that the two proposed Constitutional Amendments have produced jobs – even if the jobs went mainly to highly paid out-of-state “consultants,” hired to make sure that Minnesotan’s vote “Yes” on the Amendments.  Sadly, those jobs will end as soon as the polls close. However, should the amendments pass, more jobs will be “created” --- for attorneys questioning the constitutionality of the amendments, and those hired to “defend” them. It’s unknown whether those jobs will be awarded to Minnesota attorneys, or if they’ll also go to highly paid out-of-state attorneys. Either way, those “jobs” will also be temporary.

As has been the case for nearly all previous laws which have attempted to restrict the rights of Americans, the latest attempts to write religious doctrine or political ideology into law will ultimately fail. Such laws have always ended up being repealed or struck down by the courts.

This cycle, I voted a straight Democratic ticket.

Once the Republican Party returns to its roots of supporting our nation’s Constitution, and its guarantee of freedom and equality for all, will I once again offer serious consideration to Republican candidates.

Our nation has been at its best when it stands up for all its citizens. Unfortunately, the Republican Party has decided to bet against our Constitution and against the American people. They’re flat out wrong to do so.

No matter what the outcome of today’s election, I have confidence that our nation will survive. Despite the continued efforts by Republicans to weaken our nation by attempting to include narrow religious teachings - or a failed political ideology - in our nation’s laws; our nation has, and will continue to, survive.

I do know that our nation’s path to fully realize the promise of freedom and equality enshrined in our Constitution has been long and hard. Numerous groups – blacks, women, couples of different religions, interracial couples, and immigrants, to name a few - have suffered unconstitutional discrimination along the way. Yet, eventually, enlightened lawmakers, or the courts, have stepped in to repeal or overturn discriminatory laws.

As long as our Constitution remains strong, our nation can be strong. If, however, Republicans, and the narrow special interest groups they use for funding purposes, are allowed to prevail; and, if our Constitution is weakened by inclusion of antiquated religious doctrine, or a narrow political ideology, our nation is doomed to fail.

Will our children and grandchildren be better off if we promote discrimination based on ancient religious teachings, or a momentarily “popular” political ideology, to weaken our nation’s Constitution? No, I think not. Interpretations of religious teachings continue to evolve, as do political ideology “strategies” designed to achieve short term gains for a specific political party. I want my children and grandchildren to grow up and thrive in a nation which allows all citizens to reach their highest potential – not just the very wealthy and huge corporations.

That’s why I voted Democratic today. It wasn’t because the Democratic Party is perfect – far from it – but rather because they currently offer the best platform for the continued success of a nation founded on the ideals of freedom and equality.