By Gregory Thayer
Recently, I read a social media exchange between a mother and her teenage daughter. The mother asked the girl, “What’s wrong?” and the girl responded, “I don’t want people to think I’m a Republican.” That made me stop in my tracks, and I thought, “What is wrong with being a Republican?”
Most Republicans I know are good, moral, and upstanding citizens. When I was in high school, I enjoyed Civics and Public Policy class at the Academy. My parents owned a small grocery store, and after 9:00 PM, my dad and local politicians and residents would gather there and settle all of Rutland City’s problems. I learned about local issues and debate procedures, and how to do research. I learned the difference between Democrat and Republican ideologies and values. Most of all, I learned how to listen to other people’s points of view.
Because of all that exposure to Republican principles, falling in line with the Grand Old Party (GOP) felt natural to me. The ten major principles of the GOP, as our Founding Fathers prescribed, are pretty simple. You’d think every American would support them.
1. Personal responsibility is paramount.
2. Less government regulation is better. It should be only adopted to fit the intent of the law.
3. Preserve free-market capitalism and competition in the marketplace.
4. There is a role for government, albeit limited in nature.
5. Support growth and opportunity, no entitlements.
6. Government must be effective and efficient and work for the people.
7. Taxes should be levied based on essential public services
8. Government employees should be held accountable for their job performance.
9. Laws must be enforced not flouted.
10. Laws should protect the people, including the unborn from the moment of conception.
Since the inception of the GOP in 1854, Republicans have supported power and control by “We the People,” not “We the Government.” In 1860, with the election of Abraham Lincoln, we adopted the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to protect indentured people. Lincoln ended slavery. President Dwight Eisenhower established the federal highway system connecting all corners of America and founded NASA. In 1972, Richard Nixon opened up China and established the Environmental Protection Agency in 1970.
GOP presidents fought for the desegregation of schools in the South; President Eisenhower started the Civil Rights discussions. President Reagan ended the Cold War without one bullet being fired. Many Republican presidents cut taxes and reduced over-regulation of American businesses.
GOP presidents established the following government programs and agencies for all Americans:
Department of Agriculture: 1862 under Lincoln (Republican)
Department of Commerce (National Parks Commission): 1903 under T. Roosevelt (Republican)
Food and Drug Administration: 1906 under T. Roosevelt (Republican)
Federal Power Commission: 1920 under William Harding (Republican)
Commodities Exchange Authority: 1922 under William Harding (Republican)
Federal Communications Commission: 1927 under Calvin Coolidge (Republican)
Food and Drug Administration: 1931 under Hoover (Republican)
Department of Health, Education and Welfare (later to split into Education / Health and Human Services): 1953 under Eisenhower (Republican)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration: 1970 under Nixon (Republican)
Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms Agency: 1972 under Nixon (Republican)
Federal Energy Administration: 1973 under Nixon (Republican)
Drug Enforcement Agency: 1973 under Nixon (Republican).
Atomic Energy Commission: 1973 under Nixon (Republican)
Pension and Welfare Administration: 1974 under Nixon (Republican)
Veterans Employment and Training Service: 1981 under Reagan (Republican)
Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration: 1981 under Reagan (Republican)
First US Supreme Court Female Associate Justice: Appointed by Reagan (Republican)
Department of Veterans Affairs: 1989 under George H.W. Bush (Republican)
In 1870 the first black US Senator was a Republican. The first woman to serve in the US House of Representatives was a Republican in 1916, Susan B. Anthony, a Republican wrote the text of the 16th Amendment. The Democrat Party gave us slavery, KKK thugs, Jim Crow laws, and government dependency.
Compare and contrast between Democrats and Republicans:
Public Safety & Crime: Democrats believe crimes aren’t violent, want to defund police and no jail time for criminals. Republicans want to enforce our criminal laws, prosecute offenders, and fund the police.
Education: Democrats want Common Core, Critical Race Theory, and equity. Republicans want to support parent involvement, provide family choice in education, and let the money follow the student.
Health Care: Democrats support single payer healthcare, which means big government being in control. Republicans support free-market solutions.
Tax Policy: Democrats support high taxation and demand to “tax the rich.” Republicans support low taxation for everyone to pay for essentials and to stimulate the economy.
Social Issues: Democrats want “social justice”; they teach that white Americans are oppressors and black Americans are oppressed. Republicans want to teach real US history and believe that all people are created equal in God’s imagine.
Gun Control: Democrats want to take your firearms. Republicans support the 2nd and 16th Amendments and want to teach firearm safety and maintenance.
Global Warming Solutions Act and Climate: Democrats want to make us believe that the world will end if we don’t stop using fossil fuels, they also support a One-World Order agenda. Republicans believe that we’ve made great strides in protecting the environment. Especially here in Vermont, we have clean water and air, and our CO2 emissions are under control.
Democrats have given us welfare and other social programs that are aimed at making Americans dependent on the government and cost taxpayers their hard-earned money. Republicans want all of us to keep as much of our money as possible, so we’ll be able to save and build a nest egg for ourselves.
So, people, do not be afraid to be a Republican; be proud because for 168 years Republicans have protected mankind!
Greg Thayer is a Rutland resident and former candidate for lieutenant governor.