Nothing in The Constitution guarantees one-half of the political system belongs to forces of ignorance and hatred. The so-called Southern Strategy of parts of the GOP succeeded, and handed control of the party and half of our system to a minority.
We cannot both allow such forces to keep what they have taken (sometimes illegally) and vow to remove them from control. If we allow them to remain in control of the GOP, we have given up 50 yards before the kickoff.
In Indiana’s 5th Congressional District (INCD5), the contests for Governor and President of the two major political parties are done. There are 15 candidates in the June 2 GOP primary for U.S. Representative from INCD5.
Madison and Hamilton, 1787 Constitutional Convention delegates, opposed factions - their term for political parties - yet helped form the first two political parties: Federalist for and Republican against ratification of The Constitution.
Also, it seems clear The Framers believed that enough people would act in the best interest of the country that the checks and balances they built into a structure inherently geared to two parties would protect the country from a despot.
In over 230 years the greatest crisis for The Constitution was a result of an evil it memorialized. No variation of the word “slavery” appears in the original seven Articles. Deals were cut in 1787 as a price to secure Southern States in the Union. The Civil War was the result.
From 1840, political parties faded or were born and grew. One issue was dominant: slavery. When Lincoln won, Whigs had joined with what remained of the Know Nothings. Democrats split between pro-slavery and the not-so-extreme pro-slavery factions.
Today our Constitution again is in crisis. The modern GOP, formed in 1854, was a major force in Reconstruction. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries it opposed corporate consolidation of wealth and advocated for the environment.
In foreign policy - for decades - strong elements in the GOP counseled against US foreign involvements. On women’s rights, the decision in Roe v Wade was written by and had the support of 5-GOP nominated Justices.
Electors were created to ensure a person corrupt, incompetent or under the influence of a hostile foreign power was not elected POTUS. (Read Federalist 68.) In 2016 the system produced a loser - by 3 million - of the popular vote but a trifecta on what The Framers sought to avoid.
Forces of ignorance and bigotry will continue, despite being in the minority, to hold half of our political system. To oppose trump/them is as if he wore a ring: One ring to rule them all/One ring to find them/One ring to bring them all/And in the darkness bind them.
Congress is meant to be a check on, not a rubber stamp for, POTUS’s actions. My opponents in the GOP primary for Indiana’s 5th Congressional District (INCD5) have indicated they only will act as trump’s rubber stamp.
If you live in INCD5: 1) make sure you are registered to vote! 2) either vote early or be at the polls on June 2; 3) If you agree with me, please request a GOP ballot and vote for me; 4) If you disagree with me - vote for one of my opponents.
Let me be clear: if you agree with the ineptitude and prejudice of all that is trump: I DO NOT WANT YOUR VOTE.
And debates? I am sick of waiting for people who issue challenges to debate to get back with me about details. People like Beckwith - who favors a theocracy - and Abernathy were quick to challenge, and let it ride at that.
I shall issue a challenge to debate - to any one, some or all of the people who seek the GOP nomination. We can do this with an impartial moderator on-line. You can e-mail me. If you take a pass, attend St Francis University - STFU.
My name is Mark Small. I am a GOP candidate for Indiana’s 5th. I am pro-environment, pro-choice, anti-war and anti-dt. I believe in the traditional values of the GOP, not the bastardized values of dt and his minions. I approve of this blog. Hell, I wrote it.