“Put on your old gray bonnet with the Hoover button upon it, for when the New Deal is over, we’ll be back in clover on inauguration day”. Those who regard the Republican party as an institution based upon a mythical past are mistaken. Despite certain serious flaws the GOP is a sophisticated party.
The Republican party has a deep understanding of how emerging international trade patterns affect the global economy, how wealth production is a byproduct of capitalism, and how international conditions today are not the same as they were in the late 1940s.
However, the GOP’s most serious flaw is an unwillingness to compromise. This is apparent in the issue of immigration. Both parties share blame on this matter, and I will leave it alone as it is an issue. It is not solvable, under present circumstances, due to emotions. American must realize that not all problems have solutions.
Republicans should compromise on gun control. I actually believe it is not such a big deal. There is no serious proposal to confiscate all the guns in America and end the Second Amendment. On the other side, homicides by guns have been declining for decades. Multiple shootings are newsworthy because they are rare.
I have a license, title, registration, and insurance for my car, so what if it had to be done for a gun. I have known Rindge Republicans who have supported a candidate in favor of complete gun control over a candidate in favor of limited gun control. Now that does not make any sense. They were just angry with one candidate and decided to punish her for not totally agreeing with them.
The last sentence of the recently adopted By-laws of the Jaffrey, Rindge, Fitzwilliam Republican party forbid public endorsement of a candidate not approved by the party. That is not supportive of the idea of freedom.
Abortion rights is another issue where Republicans should compromise. Public opinion polls over the years have indicated a wide-spread support for Roe vs. Wade and a general acceptance of Supreme Court interpretations of abortion limitations. This issue is so deep in emotion, religion, and matters of conscience that there is little likelihood of minds changing in the foreseeable future. Abortion is a losing issue for Republicans.
I always felt that Anne Kuster does not have to campaign because her Republican opponents, no matter how well-qualified, self-destruct over this issue. Republicans can’t win in New Hampshire congressional elections unless they gain more female voters.
It is totalitarian for Republicans to insist that every Republican maintain the same opinion on abortion rights. Nuances and shades of opinions should be acceptable, otherwise what is freedom for?
My personal opinion is close to but not exactly the same as the Orthodox Jewish one which opposes abortion except in cases involving the life or health of the mother. I favor abortion, based on personal knowledge as an inner-city teacher, also in cases of rape and incest.
Republicans should stick to what they know best: the economy, foreign affairs, the ill-effects of expanding state power, preserving federalism, the Constitution, and the role of individual responsibility in preserving society’s values and morals. They get into trouble when they draw a line in the sand on social issues.
Rick Sirvint lives in Rindge.