Political views kept private are no views at all, just mere thoughts. Until one takes action and speaks out, then you’re truly not doing yourself justice. I recently decided to take matters into my own hands, as it seems the Republican Party is going down in flames. The only true way progress can be made on strengthening a party that is so divided is by speaking the truth to those of the party who ruin it for the rest of us. What happened to the Republicans who ended the Vietnam War and started welfare programs across the country? They have vanished or switched parties. Now we are left with this moderate, pragmatic type of Conservative who really embodies no views of his or her own and will adapt to public opinion for votes. Or you have your run-of-the-mill extreme Conservative who takes cover under a Libertarian umbrella whenever accosted. Almost like how Jon Stewart can hide behind his comedic veil when ripping politicians to shreds.
I recently saw a friend post something about the Benghazi scandal on Facebook on September 11. The insensitivity was remarkable to me. This student attends a prestigious private university, yet he posts a photo of President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton with a huge red slogan saying, “NO ACCOUNTABILITY.” I was sickened and embarrassed. To post the lowest form of news and scandal on such a day of remembrance seemed disgusting to me.
This is a perfect example of why Republicans need to straighten out some members. This pure idiocy to send a message to divide people on the most influential day in our generation’s history is pure insensitivity. Usually I would hold back in such a situation and say to myself “It’s just Facebook, who cares,” but this struck a chord with me. Of course this person is permitted to say whatever he wishes and I agree with that; however, that doesn’t mean I can’t say what I want as well. I tore him to shreds, to say the least. And after my first real Facebook fight with someone, I realized the only way out of this is to remind those of your own party that they have an effect on the party as a whole. This behavior weakens the party and makes it look idiotic and ignorant of clear problems. This time what we are witnessing is similar to that of the transformation of the Democratic Party. During the ’60s it made its shift from a base of southern Democrats to pretty much saying anything that sounds good through a television. Those southern Democrats joined the Republican Party as they saw their party leaving them. Many people that I speak to feel the same way. They didn’t leave the party, rather the party left them.
I had the opportunity to speak to an OBGYN who was boarded in both surgery and the practice of OBGYN since 1978. His statements could not have been clearer and more in-tune with the point I’m trying to make here. He explained that women carry extra eggs after having children. They are then usually removed and thrown away in many conservative states as many extreme Republicans prefer. This is a complete civil liberty flaw in the Republican platform. Everyone should have personal responsibility and be able to take care of themselves, but not women? The eggs are the eventual gateway to stem-cell research. When it comes down to it, the argument between throwing something in the garbage and using it to scientifically help other people just seems brainless. This individual believed in smaller government, one where civil liberties are respected, as well as equality of human beings through their rights, which is definitely a great way to do things.
It’s time for Republicans to stop letting these extreme right-wing imitation Libertarians from having influence and time for them to be identified and questioned ethically and morally. Being on the wrong side of history is not where many people want to be. However, it seems this current cluster mess of a Republican Party needs to brush itself off and get back to the basics. When your party’s first presidential candidate was Abraham Lincoln, you most definitely have a responsibility to fulfill when you feel your own party has been taken from you. Might as well end with a quote, right? “The Republican Party would be really smart to absorb as much of the Tea Party movement as possible,” Sarah Palin said. If that doesn’t scare you, what will?
Jeff is a junior majoring in political science and history. This is his first column. How do you feel about Republicans? Please send all feedback to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
