WHERE'D MY PARTY GO?
On the eve of the 203rd anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth, its interesting to ponder how he'd judge today's Republican Party he last presided over 147 years ago.
In a word, Lincoln would be horrified. The GOP is no longer the beacon of individual freedom he championed to his dying breath. The civil rights legislation of the 1960's motivated the Republican Party to tilt against strong support for civil rights. This mendacious but brilliant "Southern Strategy" overnight turned most white southern Democrats into Republicans. It may have spurred the GOP to win the Presidency in seven of the next ten elections, but it would have been vehemently opposed by the Great Emancipator, regardless of political consequences.
Lincoln would be equally appalled by the overt homophobia of today's GOP. Opposition to gay rights, marriage equality and disapproval of the gay lifestyle are practically commandments of any GOP candidate for high office. Even Republicans displaying a reprehensible marital history eagerly oppose full gay equality based on their hypocritical devotion to so called Republican family values.
Finally, Lincoln would be bewildered how his party lost its moral compass to turn away from helping the most needy to worship at the alter of billionaire wealth. Candidate Lincoln could never conceive of, much less utter the tone deaf "I am not concerned about the very poor". They would always be front and center on his governing radar.
This is, of course, merely conjecture. Honest Abe's spirit forever resides at Springfield's Oak Ridge Cemetery. If somehow he could come back, the last place he'd visit is GOP Headquarters. He'd prefer to dodge pepper spray and police batons at an Occupy Wall Street rally than lend his magnificent aura to the party that turned its back on every value he cherished.
Originally published at www.chicagotribune.com
In a word, Lincoln would be horrified. The GOP is no longer the beacon of individual freedom he championed to his dying breath. The civil rights legislation of the 1960's motivated the Republican Party to tilt against strong support for civil rights. This mendacious but brilliant "Southern Strategy" overnight turned most white southern Democrats into Republicans. It may have spurred the GOP to win the Presidency in seven of the next ten elections, but it would have been vehemently opposed by the Great Emancipator, regardless of political consequences.
Lincoln would be equally appalled by the overt homophobia of today's GOP. Opposition to gay rights, marriage equality and disapproval of the gay lifestyle are practically commandments of any GOP candidate for high office. Even Republicans displaying a reprehensible marital history eagerly oppose full gay equality based on their hypocritical devotion to so called Republican family values.
Finally, Lincoln would be bewildered how his party lost its moral compass to turn away from helping the most needy to worship at the alter of billionaire wealth. Candidate Lincoln could never conceive of, much less utter the tone deaf "I am not concerned about the very poor". They would always be front and center on his governing radar.
This is, of course, merely conjecture. Honest Abe's spirit forever resides at Springfield's Oak Ridge Cemetery. If somehow he could come back, the last place he'd visit is GOP Headquarters. He'd prefer to dodge pepper spray and police batons at an Occupy Wall Street rally than lend his magnificent aura to the party that turned its back on every value he cherished.
Originally published at www.chicagotribune.com
posted by Walt Zlotow at 2:31 PM
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