What does The GOP Stand For?

“What do I stand for? What do I stand for? Most nights I don’t know anymore…”
FUN – From the album “Some Nights”


I don’t know about you but when I go to the polls I vote for the candidates that I feel best represent my beliefs in how government should work. With the primary season in full swing and the mid-terms fast approaching voters are beginning to ask candidates to explain where they stand on the issues. When it comes to members of the Republican Party, the answer to that question is oft times elusive.

What exactly does the Republican Party stand for? This is the question that is being asked not only by independents and outsiders like me but by moderates within the party as well. Republicans have made it quite clear that they are against anything proposed by what they see as an “illegitimate” “imperialist” president. But what exactly do Republicans stand for?

Republicans say they are for creating jobs. But they have yet to pass one jobs bill and have rejected several infrastructure bills offered by the president.

Republicans say they are for raising up the middle class. Yet they have opposed raising the minimum wage and equal pay for equal work while working tirelessly to eliminate unions and cut social safety net programs on which the middle class depends.

Republicans say they oppose government handouts like unemployment and food stamp programs “and the nanny state theses programs create.” Yet they support tax loopholes for millionaires and billionaires and billion dollar subsidies for big oil and agriculture.

Republicans say they are for freedom and individual liberty. Yet they oppose same sex marriage and women’s access to legally provided health services.

Republicans say they are for reducing our long term debt and deficit and leaving a “better world for our children.” But the CBO says that the few economic programs that Republicans have proposed will add $1 trillion dollars to our national debt over the next decade.

So I ask again…what do Republicans stand for?

Acclaimed Republican strategist Mike Murphy says that since Barak Obama took office the GOP strategy has been to engaged in a “grievance campaign” while holding investigative hearings on Benghazi, the IRS, NSA wiretaps etc. Murphy fears that this limited strategy may hold the party in good stead in the upcoming mid-terms but fears that it will prove to be the party’s “kryptonite” in the 2016 general.

Translation...you can’t win the White House by just saying “NO.”

What do Republicans stand for? Most nights they don’t seem to know.