If you are a voter in Indiana’s House of Representatives District 86 (IN86), please consider why you should request a Republican ballot for the primary election on May 3, especially if “GOP” or “Republican,” in these times, makes you angry or has an emetic effect. 1/9

1) Not long ago both major parties had progressive wings. Clean Air & Clean Water Acts were enacted & EPA created during a GOP administration. Roe v Wade: written by GOP-nominated Justice. @ 1 time Nixon & Dr King were friends. 2/9

2) Progressive policies, abolition of slavery & economic reforms, were core concepts of the GOP at its founding in 1854 & why, after Civil War, Democratic Party counted on the “solid South” as nearly guaranteed for Democratic candidates. GOP began to shift after 1964 election. 3/9

3) Sen Goldwater won five “solid South” States (LA, MS, AL, GA, SC), in part because he opposed Civil Rights Act of 1964 (though he voted for such laws in 1957 & 1960). To pander is “to gratify or indulge an immoral or distasteful desire...or a person w/such a desire.” 4/9

4) The GOP shifted to pander to racists, in the South & other States, but Indiana GOP’s Articles of Incorporation (10/21/05) do not mention an ideology. Interesting quote: “Mark my word, if and when these preachers get control of the [Republican] party... 5/9

it's going to be a terrible damn problem. Frankly, these people frighten me. Politics & governing demand compromise. () these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can't and won't compromise. I know, I've tried to deal with them.” -Sen. Barry Goldwater 6/9

At this writing, I am unopposed as a candidate in the GOP primary for IN86. If you are a voter in IN86 & agree that we can’t abandon the GOP, one half of our 2-party system, to bigotry & ignorance, please request a Republican ballot and vote for me. That will send a message. 7/9

otoh, if you think intolerance is spiffy, that your preacher’s particular interpretation of your holy book is fine & dandy, & that the individual who left the Oval Office on Jan 20, 2021, was good (in any way), please DO NOT vote for me. If you request a GOP ballot... 8/9

A blank for IN86 will register as someone who disagrees w/me. Groovy. I don’t want racists to vote for me. I’m Mark Small. I’m pro-choice, pro environment, pro-civil rts & anti-gun. I’m GOP candidate for Indiana House District 86. I approve of this blog. Hell, I wrote it. 9/9