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In Search of the Former GOP

by Dr. Philip R. Pryde, a REP member in San Diego, California
published in the San Diego Union-Tribune on October 15, 2006

In his column of Oct. 8 (“What happened to the Republican Party?” Opinion), Ruben Navarrette Jr. wonders what happened to the GOP, and especially to the traditional values that it used to embrace. Let me suggest one possible answer.

The problem is that the people currently running things in Washington are GOP in name only. Although these people are utilizing (some would say usurping) the name of the Republican Party, they are being increasingly referred to as “neocons” – neo, or “new” conservatives – to reflect the fact that their purportedly conservative values in fact represent a sharp divergence from the traditional values of the Republican Party.

As Navarrette suggests, there are numerous fundamental differences in both theory and practice between the traditional Republican Party and its neocon successor that blossomed into a congressional majority in 1994. Traditional Republicans trace their bloodline back to Abraham Lincoln, and claim as their philosophical mentors such respected Republican presidents as Theodore Roosevelt and Dwight Eisenhower.

Traditional Republicans still support all the long-standing conservative values, most notably balanced budgets, reduction of the national debt, and keeping giant corporations and the federal bureaucracy under control. The latter would include a high degree of governmental transparency, accountability of public officials, and support for concerned whistle-blowers. Most traditional Republicans would also support the elimination of corporate welfare, the protection of America's natural environment, and a courteous respect for the opinions of others, even if they disagree with them.

By contrast, under recent neocon management, budget deficits have mushroomed, the federal bureaucracy continues to expand, personal freedoms have been curtailed, and ethics and morality seem to have slipped badly. Alternate opinions are suppressed and whistle-blowers hounded, large corporations wield increasing control over governmental policy, and relentless fossil fuel and forest exploitation is taking a sad toll on America's landscape and natural resources.

Ironically, there are a great many traditional Republicans remaining among the American populace, but only a few in Congress, and virtually none in the executive branch. The small number of traditional Republicans left in the House and Senate attempt to uphold core conservative values but are numerically overwhelmed by the neocon delegation.

In response, various citizen groups have been formed by those who consider themselves traditional or moderate Republicans. These include Log Cabin Republicans, Republicans for Choice and Republicans for Environmental Protection. The latter, whose motto is “Conservation is Conservative” like to quote Theodore Roosevelt's observation that “conservation is a great patriotic duty.” And a core value of traditional Republicans.

Unfortunately, it is unlikely that traditional Republicans will be able to regain control of their own the party in the foreseeable future. The core constituency of the Neocon Party to date has been remarkably loyal, but is it still? Navarrette says he misses the old GOP. If enough American voters agree with him, the 2006 congressional elections could prove interesting.