In July 1952, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, World War II hero, delivered the keynote address at the Republican National Convention. At the beginning of his speech, he took pride in his political beliefs and emphasized to the audience that he was a lifelong Republican.
“I speak with a sense of pride that all of my long life I have been a member of the Republican Party, as was before me my father, an ardent supporter of Abraham Lincoln,” MacArthur proudly stated. It’s a statement that some of today’s Republicans should take to heart. It’s this sense of pride that is missing among many of them today.
Today’s political climate is rife with apathy and disdain, and it’s quite problematic. As the 2022 midterm elections approach, Republicans have an opportunity to right the wrongs of the Biden administration. Yet, rather than take on Democrats, many would rather tear down each other. This scorn and indifference are detrimental to their objectives and the country’s welfare. Instead, they should present a united front espousing pride in their membership in one of the greatest political parties the world has ever known.
Republicans have a long history of doing more good for the nation than Democrats ever have. However, Republican politicians, pundits, and leaders are often silent when criticized for being anti-labor, racist, or sexist. History shows these claims not to be valid. Republicans need to stand on the greatness of their political party, not just react to what Democrats say about them.
Perhaps the most common slur against Republicans is that of racism. Indeed, even President George W. Bush, who should have known better, once repeated a Democratic slander that the party of Lincoln did not always carry the mantle of Lincoln. Shame on him. Like many Republicans, he forgot the party’s history.
Republicans ended slavery and passed the first civil rights legislation in this country. Our nation’s first black American politicians were Republicans who were elected in the 19th century. Leading the charge for racial equality carried well into the 20th century, when President Eisenhower desegregated schools in the 1950s — an action necessary because Democrats violently opposed racial integration.
It was Eisenhower who created and signed the Civil Rights Act of 1957 over the vehement objections of Democrats. President Nixon implemented the Philadelphia Plan to eliminate racism in the building trades. Reagan appointed the first black national security adviser. President George W. Bush appointed the first black secretary of state, the first black woman national security adviser, and the first black woman secretary of state.
Yet Bush was vehemently called a racist during his time in office. Why? Because Republicans did not have enough courage to challenge these frivolous claims in the court of public opinion.
Additionally, many have bought into the categories of Republicans the Democrats have promulgated: moderate Republicans, conservative Republicans, liberal Republicans, and now, a new appellation — “MAGA” Republicans. As Ronald Reagan said, Republicans who accept these silly labels should call themselves “sucker Republicans.”
“Leave off the adjective and the hyphen in front of the word Republican. Leave off the label and just discuss the issues. Just discuss where you stand. And I think you’ll be surprised to find out how much unites Republicans and how much we have in common,” Reagan said in 1965. “If we continue to use those adjectives and those hyphens in front of the word: moderate, liberal, conservative Republican, whatever it might be, the only adjective or word we should use in front of the hyphen is sucker Republican! Our opponents gave us those labels. Give them back!”
Moreover, consider the many other accomplishments throughout the history of the Republican Party.
Unlike Democrats and their radical environmentalist agenda, Republicans do not destroy lives and property with their environmental policies. It was Republicans who passed the first environmental legislation in the country’s history in 1891. This environmentalism continued with Theodore Roosevelt establishing the national park system and advocating conservation. President Richard Nixon created the Environmental Protection Agency. Furthermore, the Conservation Reserve Program occurred during the Reagan administration.
Yet, by acquiescing to left-wing propaganda and not supporting the Democrats’ (repeatedly) failed environmentalist policies, they are not considered environmentally friendly. They let Democrats commandeer the environmentalist messaging.
Moreover, this revisionist history extends to many other areas that Democrats have appropriated.
When Republicans are accused of neglecting poor American youths, remind people that it was a Republican Congress that passed the Child Labor Act of 1927, signed into law by a Republican president.
When Republicans are accused of neglecting healthcare, remind them that the Department of Health Education and Welfare, now known as the Department of Health and Human Services, was established under the Eisenhower administration in 1953. Also, the Committee on the Costs of Medical Care was established by Herbert Hoover, and President Nixon signed the HMO Act of 1973.
When Republicans are accused of opposing consumers, remind people that the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 dissolved monopolies, and the 1906 Pure Food and Drug Act was a Republican law.
When Republicans are accused of neglecting the elderly, remind people that the Republicans passed the Dependent and Disability Pension Act of 1890. Additionally, the Civil Service Retirement System and Workers Compensation for federal employees were created by a Republican Congress and president.
Furthermore, Republicans’ memories should not be limited merely to Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, or Ronald Reagan. Many great Republicans have helped influence the country. Think about the leadership, the innovations, the standards, and the accomplishments that exemplify Republicans.
From presidents Ulysses S. Grant and Dwight D. Eisenhower to humanitarians like Herbert Hoover, Republicans shaped the country at pivotal points in history. Black Republicans like Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, and Edward Brooke helped pioneer the civil rights movement. There were slavery abolitionists and civil rights leaders Thaddeus Stevens and Charles Sumner. And we should never forget Civil War hero turned politician and academician Joshua Chamberlain.
As the famous 19th-century newspaper publisher and editor Horace Greely once remarked, the Republican Party is for those who believe the true mission of the United States is to be the “champion and promulgator of Liberty rather than propagandist of slavery.”
And, as MacArthur said during that 1952 speech, Republicans need to remain “true to its great traditions.” So forget the apathy, Republicans. As the German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe wrote more than 200 years ago, “He only earns his freedom and existence, Who daily conquers them anew.”
The future of the country is depending on it.
