I feel sorry for Republicans.
It seems to me that in the last 10 to 20 years the national party has turned into a collection of mean-spirited, ethically challenged bullies. I personally have to wonder about the moral character of anyone who would align themselves with a party that only stands up for Big Oil, Big Insurance and other corporations dedicated to standing on the backs of the American people.
When I think of conservative Republicans, my thoughts go to the past. I think of Jack Kemp, Bob Dole, Barry Goldwater, Nelson Rockefeller, William F. Buckley, Richard Nixon and even Ronald Reagan. Those men had character and resolve.
Many of them came from humble origins. They knew what it was like to work for a living, to grow up poor. They cared for working people. Today, the best the Republicans can manage is Sarah Palin. Need I say more?
If I were a Republican, I would be ashamed to hear Palin and Grassley talk about “death panels.” I would be ashamed to be thrown into the same category as Dick Armey, who pays morons to interrupt congressional listening post sessions or, even worse, parade around with pictures of our president painted with a Hitler mustache.
Is this what these people consider funny? Is this truly the best they can do?
My parents were quiet, loyal Americans. They would have found no amusement in hearing the president compared to Hitler. They would have found Roy Blunt’s joking around with Joe Wilson in Springfield a few days ago to be shameful.
Today we are faced with a huge debate over health care. Will we be content to leave 30 million Americans uninsured? Will we keep on letting people with hospital bills be sued or forced into bankruptcy?
I hope Republicans, one day, will find the courage to repudiate the lunatic fringe. I am waiting for one brave conservative to look around at his colleagues and say, “Have you no shame?” I hope that will happen, but I am not holding my breath.
Stephen Smith
Carthage
Opinion
Voices: GOP not the same
- Opinion
-
-
Our View: Victims should come first
Millions of dollars in donations have poured in from around the world since the May 22, 2011, tornado. Those donations represent money from lemonade stands, charity auctions, corporate gifts and celebrity checks, just to name a few. In fact, one year later donations continue to come to Joplin.
-
Beth Meeker, guest columnist: Same-sex marriage battle a quest for equal rights
I would like to take a moment to reply to guest columnist Anson Burlingame’s, “The Marriage Debate” (Globe, May 13).
-
Sunday Forum: 2012 graduation speakers key on tornado, mall school and president’s visit
Editor’s note: In addition to speeches by President Barack Obama and Gov. Jay Nixon, Joplin High School’s top students addressed graduates, faculty, parents and other guests packed into the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center on the Missouri Southern State University campus. Following are the text of those speeches.
-
Geoff Caldwell, guest columnist: Pack mentality takes truth as a casualty
President Obama’s Joplin graduation speech Monday showed that while there’s the political “right,” there’s also a very active “rabid” political right.
-
Your View: ‘Study’ can mean anything
A few evenings ago, I watched a television program on the science of marriage.
-
Our View: Support for museum
How can you tell the story of Joplin without the accounts of its mining history?
-
Our View: Finding middle ground
The G-8 summit held last week in Camp David ended as expected.
-
Anson Burlingame, guest columnist: Class of 2012 upholds character, hope
My oldest granddaughter was part of the class of 2012 from Joplin High School, and I attended the ceremony on Monday night.
-
Scott Charton, guest columnist: 'Deadline in Disaster' film a story about storytellers
Local newspapers are at their best when they help their communities confront, understand, endure and overcome shared challenges.
-
Our View: Make voting easiser
This year’s ballot will not include a proposed constitutional amendment that photo identification be required at the polls in Missouri. Good.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
Our View: Victims should come first
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
