What Is Wrong with the Republican Party?

Dear Editor,

What is wrong with the Republican Party?

Much has been written about the Republican Party lately. Many say we have
problems and need to change. I say no. I have been active in the party for
decades, and I can find very few problems with the party. We have a platform
that accurately reflects what most Republicans consider important. To highlight
a few important aspects, the platform says we believe in individual responsibility, lower taxes, States Rights, the Second Amendment, right to life, reasonable tax policy, right to work, and limited government policies that support strong traditional families. I say there is nothing fundamentally wrong
with the party.

The problem is with politicians who claim to represent our party, but do not
support what we stand for. We have too many politicians who claim to be
Republican but when they get to Columbia they walk lock step with the other
side. I recently read an article about the book, The Forgotten Man (by Shlaes).
The article talked about a politician who went to Washington and said no to a
lot of new government programs.

We need more politicians who are not afraid to say no. The article went on to say this politician was not very well liked in Washington, but was admired (and re elected) by the voters.

So, what can we do you ask? One thing the party can do better is to educate
politicians. Because, bless their heart, many just do not know what we expect of them. They seem to think we send them off to make friends in Columbia. We do not.

We send them off to represent us and our platform. And yes, they will
sometimes have to say no, even when their colleagues urge them to go along with the crowd, or offer to swap a vote for your new program if you will vote for my new program. It all ends up the same; more government.

One of our primary objectives of the party should be to elect conservative
officials. But just as important, we need to hold them accountable once elected.

Lord Acton, a 19th century British historian said, “power tends to corrupt, and
absolute power corrupts absolutely”. Sadly, we have a lot of politicians who
claim to represent our values and platform, that have become corrupted by the
power yielded to them as our elected representatives.

It is the duty of the local party to hold politicians accountable for what we
believe. If you want to help promote the Republican platform and hold officials
accountable, now is the time to get involved.

Precinct organizations will occur this Thursday at 7:00 pm at the Rosewood Center in Liberty. This is our opportunity to get involved with the party and educate, elect, and hold officials accountable for what we believe.


Phillip Bowers
Chairman, Pickens GOP