As this election season drags on, and the GOP, lead by it’s new standard bearer, John “Maverick” McCain, lurches even further to the center-left than it had already been drifting; and given the near third party status of the Republicans in Washington State (after the Democrat party, and Really Democrat Party) , I am finding myself out in right field, without a Party to support.
I am not alone, by any stretch of the imagination. There are many others out here. We can see each other, and even converse with each other, commiserating in our sad new existence.
We find the basic tenants of the Democrat Party politically repugnant. Some of us even find Democrat stands on certain issues immoral, naive, reckless, or even suicidal, on a national level. The Democrat party has been, for most of it’s history and to this day, the party of Racism and Separation. It is a party that sees the Constitution as blunt instrument (when it can be twisted to fit their agenda), and a malleable “living” document when they can use the Judiciary to redefine it’s passages. Or, when all else fails, they simply ignore it. They are what we fought the Cold War against - a party run by a privileged elite (Super-delegates, in current parlance), dedicated to retaining and reinforcing racial separation (now known as Diversity), protectionism (under the guise of human rights, and “fair-trade”), appeasement and surrender to our enemies (far too many example to cite). They are, in short, a Party dedicated to remaking America into a third world banana republic, with a Democrat Politburo in charge. They are not Democrats, in any true sense of the word.
The GOP (who should be forced to renounce the name Republican, as they no longer deserve it, or adhere to the principals the party was founded on), the party that championed emancipation of the slaves, women’s suffrage, and the civil right act (despite Democrat opposition to all of the above), has become corrupted by power, and is now attempting to move to the left, to court the less fervent fellow travellers of the Democrat party. The ultimate expression of this is the elevation of a man who has opposed many Conservative - no REPUBLICAN - principals, as our nominee for the highest office in the land, and along with it, leadership of the party.
I used to be a Libertarian, once upon a time, when I thought that some of their stands might soften with time. Unfortunately, the Libertarians have done the ONE thing that the Republican Party has not - stayed true and locked in to their core principals. While that includes many things that I do support, including a firm grasp of the Constitution (what is now known as strict constructionism), and personal liberty, they also take many stands that are logically cohesive to their philosophy, but are naive at beast, and suicidal at worst. Among these are their stands on unfettered and uncontrolled immigration, and their policy of “military protectionism” - that the US Military is and should only be a self-defense force. These are wonderful ideas, and lofty goals, but in the real world, they are very likely to get you killed.
There is also the Constitution Party, which is part Libertarian, and equal parts Protectionist and Isolationist, with some Christian philosophy on the side.
I am sure there are many other parties out there, many of which I am not familiar with.
But I, and the others out here in Right Field, see none of these as a new home for us.
What are we looking for? I can’t answer for everyone, only for myself. If I could invent a party, it would have the following stands:
1) The Constitution should be interpreted with the original intent of the framers. Specifically the Bill of Rights should be enforced as intended, with emphasis on the 9th and 10th amendments.
2) Immigration is a positive force, and necessary to the future growth and prosperity of the nation, but our borders must be controlled, and we must have a single official language for the business of the nation, to bind us together.
3) The United States must remain strong enough militarily to defeat any enemy that would attempt to harm our citizens, either directly, or by attacks on our economic or strategic interests.
4) We must help nurture democracy and freedom around the world, using all tools at our disposal.
5) We must support and promote free trade.
6) In support of all of the above, we must be engaged with other nations, but we must never forget that diplomacy is only credible when backed up by the threat (or promise) of force - be it economic or military.
I am sure there are other planks that would be important, but these seem to cover it.
If anyone knows what party may meet these criteria, please let me know. I think I have a lot of friends who would be interested, as well.
UPDATE:
A commenter asked for some support to my allegation as the historical racism of the Democrat party.
Trail of Tears & Indian Removal Act- Supported by Andrew Jackson, President, Democrat
The Republican Partywas formed in 1854, primarily as an Abolitionist (anti-slavery) party, to oppose the Democrat Party. Indeed, many anti-slavery Democrats joined the Republicans. See also the Kansas-Nebraska act.
The Copperheadswere anti-civil war Democrats, some of whose action went over the line into treason. Think about today’s House and Senate leadership, when you read about them.
The Ku Klux Klan formed in 1865, had, by 1868 become a virtual military arm of the Democrat party in the south. Indeed the Klan became synonymous with the Democrats. They were such a powerful force in that party, that the 1924 convention was referred to as the “Klanbake Convention”. Even today, a former Klansman is an Elder Statesman of the Democrats in the US Senate - Robert Byrd of W. Virginia.
The Internment(and confiscation of property) of Japanese (and other asian) Americans during World War II was performed under Executive Orders (#9066 and 9095 respectively), issued by Franklin Roosevelt, President, Democrat.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964was passed with support of 82% of Republican Senators, and 80% of Republican Representatives. Only 69% of Democrat Senators, and 63% of Democrat Representatives voted for it.
After this, the Democrat party began to shift to more subtle forms or racism.
Entire Bureaucratic industries have risen up, ostensibly to help the poor, the economically disadvantaged, the immigrant. What they have done, is to ensure the failure of anyone that becomes entangled in their web. Welfare (and WIC) were instrumental in destroying the African-American nuclear family. Bi-Lingual education (and indeed, in many places, multi-lingual government services) have ensured that many immigrants are kept isolated in their cultural “ghettos”, and do not fully integrate into American society.
The crown jewel of todays Racism from the Left (which, there can be no argument, means the Democrat Party, for all intents and purposes), is the concept of Diversity. The very term “Diversity” is meant to be warm and fuzzy, inviting, even welcoming. In truth it’s basic underlying theme is DIFFERENCE and SPERATION, keeping every little Ethnic, Racial, and Religious groups in their own little space, separate, distinct (but EQUAL) to all others. It is the ultimate expression of Racism and Separatism.
The nemesis of the great evil of Diversity is a concept that reigned in America previously - the Melting Pot. It is in the melting pot, that all races, creeds, and colors combine, bringing along much of the good, less of the bad, and making a new and better whole. Diversity can never deliver an integrated society (look at Canada). It can only deliver an equal society, where all values, and morals, and ethics are equally valid, and therefore, equally invalid. Through Integration, and the Melting Pot, the many join to become one, not by forgetting who they were, but by adding that to the mix.
The ultimate expression of Diversity is the proposed menu requirements for the Democrat National Convention this year:
…caterers must provide foods in “at least three of the following five colors: red, green, yellow, blue/purple, and white,” garnishes not included, according to a Request for Proposals, or RFP, distributed last week.
I think I would rather have a good Stew…