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The new Republicans
Now that we have seen huge cuts proposed to many federal social programs that help millions of Americans, people may finally be ready to consider the fact that today’s Republican Party and especially the Republicans in Congress are different from those we remember in the 1950’s and 1960’s.
Having studied “Conservative” political thought for the past 40 years, it is my conclusion that a lot of “Conservatives” in 2017 USA (but not all) do not believe that the federal government should spend one cent on any social programs that help people, including Social Security.
It gives me no pleasure to say this. I just believe that people who have warm and caring hearts, who have compassion for others, who believe that government should try to help people who are struggling in life (in other words, “liberals” and “progressives”) need to be informed and accept the fact that this is so. This is what we are dealing with and will continue to deal with in the future.
STEW EPSTEIN
Changing parties
It has been 40-plus years that I have been a registered Republican. I have rarely voted outside the party line for political offices. Every presidential election from Richard Nixon’s second term through Mitt Romney, I voted for the Republican candidate.
In 2016 I voted, but not for Donald Trump. My stomach, like many others’, churned at the thought of this inexperienced, new politician becoming a “fake” president.
Even now, I am sick with the thought that Trump has the right to let his ego-sized portrait hang in the White House alongside legitimate presidents. Everything he has said or done, as the Republican candidate and now as the president, makes me regret I voted in 2016 as a registered Republican.
Since he became president, it has all been “Make Trump Great.” His attacks on the media, his refusal to acknowledge any Russian collusion, and so many more other unpresidential things make me want to see him impeached.
As an evangelical Christian, I don’t support my evangelical brethren’s giving their approval to the Trump presidency for any reason.
Trump’s party today seems to have forgotten the Republican role model of what a “real” president is suppose to act like. They have forgotten Abraham Lincoln.
My wife has always been a declared independent. She sees Donald Trump as I do. So, being thoroughly disgusted with the GOP, I am considering changing my party to one that has fully separated itself from Donald Trump and his “fake” presidency.
DOUGLAS W. ALLEN
The future of Parcel 5
This is Main Street. Why would you want to put a “dark box” on it? The theater proposal means that the location would be closed for nearly half the year when events aren’t occurring. We need something vibrant and active in that space. We don’t need another project to endlessly subsidize. This space is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in the heart of our city to change the dynamic. Let’s not rush into something in the dark.
KELLY CHEATLE
This article appears in Jul 19-25, 2017.
Did you see pictures of the Jazz Fest. There were so many people enjoying Parcel 5. A building on that site would act as crowd control.
Tom – Im unpersuaded. The jazz festival has been around for 15 years. I haven’t noticed that the absence of the building that occupied what is now Parcel 5 has had any impact on the number of attendees or on their enjoyment of the entertainment.
Douglas W. Adams made the decision I made more than 5 years ago. I certainly hope both of us represent a trend.
The status quo is the problem. Whether that refers to voters who repeatedly elect and re-elect the same politicians or whether that means the broader view of staying with the same party you’ve always belonged to.
Part of the problem can be remedied with term limits or voters willing to vote outside their party. The more difficult step to take is to change political party affiliation. Whether you’ve been active in your party or not, changing parties can be hard decision to make. You’ll be fighting history, tradition and personal convictions. You’ll be giving up a familiar sense of belonging.
However, leaving your political party will send a message that will be hard to deny. No organization wants to see membership dwindle. I would say that loss of members should force an organization to recognize and correct the issues causing people to leave, yet I do not believe that actually happens.
I am happy with my decision to leave the Democratic Party. If enough people get fed up with the two major political parties, maybe we the people can force the change that we the people so desperately need.