How Far Right Is Too Far?-Editorial

Since the election last November, there have been confusing reports about the foundation of the Republican Party. For a while it seemed that both Democrats and Republicans were representing the same ideals. Even our best representative for the Republican Party, Sarah Palin, was under attack from her own party constituents for standing up to the beliefs of what the Republican Party represents: less government, strong family ties and military and lower taxes.
Then Sunday, Colin Powell was interviewed on Face the Nation and said, “The Republican Party needs to stop being controlled by the ‘right wing’ if it is going to expand and become a viable national party again.” I didn’t think the Republican Party was being controlled by the right wing. The Republican Party had ideals which were supported by what Colin Powell calls the “right wing” but not controlled. We need a Party that is in opposition to the Democrats so we all have an opportunity to align ourselves with our own ideals. Over all, Republicans certainly don’t want government controlling banks, the auto industry, health care and other facets of our private lives. Republicans don’t want enough debt to last past our grandchildren.

Enter Michael Steele, the new Chairman of the National Republican Committee. He was voted in last week and gave an excellent speech explaining all that should be accomplished by the Republicans to be a viable party for the future. His points are not too far to the right; they are not too far to the left. They are sensible ideals which all Americans should adopt and encourage their congressmen to adopt in their political views:
1. “You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.”
2. “You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.” 3. “You cannot help the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.” 4. “You cannot further the brotherhood of man by encouraging class hatred.” 5. “You cannot establish security by borrowing money.” 6. “You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.” 7. “You cannot build character and courage by taking away one’s initiative and incentive.” 8. “You cannot help individuals permanently by doing for them what they should do for themselves.”

These ideals are the basis for every American who lives in this country. Although it’s not perfect, the past 220 years since the Constitution has been adopted in 1789, has been successful for the most part in governing our lives to move in the right direction. Our freedoms to own property and business have kept this country going to the point of prosperity that it is. What is considered the far right is just an accusation to do it the Democrats’ way. We cannot give in to their criticisms. Michael Steele will make sure of that.