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[This is an op-ed submitted to a Staten Island, NY newspaper by Ronald T. Wilson. His points are well made I think.]
The eminently unqualified and dangerously impetuous Mr. Trump is not the underlying problem with the Republican Party. He is the product of the anti-government, anti-Obama, anti-progressive rants of the Tea Party, Fox “News”, and right-wing radio. Along with the anxiety produced by the loss of American jobs due to automation and globalization, they are responsible for the frightening prospect of a Trump presidency. No, the underlying problem is what Speaker Ryan proudly calls “Republican principles”. What are “Republican principles? Remember the wristbands people once wore that said “What would Jesus do”? Well, “Republican principles” are what Jesus would have opposed. They include:
* Privatization-for-profit of everything from health care and Social Security to what some Republicans are now calling “government schools”.* “Supply-side” or “trickle-down” economics that only partially, and very inefficiently, work in a closed system, not one in which the rich invest in multi-national corporations and benefits “trickle down” to managers and workers in other countries.* Opposition to all unions and a fair minimum wage; i.e., suppression of wages to increase competitiveness and profits. (Through food stamps to current minimum-wage earners, taxpayers subsidize their employers.)* Corporate welfare and massive tax loopholes available only to big business and the rich, such as to GE and Mr. Trump, who has paid zero federal taxes in multiple years. OK, lower the too-high 35% corporate tax rate; but know that half of U.S. corporations don’t pay any federal income tax at all. We don’t need higher tax rates; we need to close loopholes and collect the taxes owed. But, of course, Republicans oppose hiring more IRS agents to do so, all the while crying about the national debt.* Increasing the size of, by far, the most expensive military in the world, no matter the cost to taxpayers.* “States’ rights” to allow states to discriminate as they did for two centuries before federal laws aimed at stopping the most egregious injustices.* Deregulation of businesses, which will put in jeopardy our health, safety and environment.
Immediately after President Obama’s election in 2008, Republican leaders met to vow a treasonous opposition to anything he might propose as president. They then did just that, no matter the merits of the proposals. That was, and is, a major betrayal to our country that the communications media have, for the most part, ignored.
So the old saw is still true: Republicans are for the rich; the poor be damned. It’s back to President Reagan’s hero Calvin Coolidge, who said “The business of government is business”.