Editor, Times-Union:
Sixty years ago America had two strong, functioning political parties that pretty much worked together - Democrats and Republicans. The country was still reeling from the horrific assassination of a president, racial tensions were boiling over, and an extremely unpopular war was violently dividing the loyalties of its citizens. To add to the divisiveness was the fact that 1964 was also a presidential election year. Lyndon Johnson had assumed the presidency after John Kennedy was killed and overwhelmingly became the Democrat party’s chosen candidate.
A man named Barry Goldwater became the Republican candidate.
This conservative candidate had been a major general in the Air Force Reserves and had served as a U.S. Senator from Arizona for thirty years. Goldwater, well respected, is said to have ignited his party’s ultra-conservative wing for decades to come. His opposition to social welfare, regulation, and unnecessary taxation, along with his anti-union views and hawkish leanings on military issues fell easily onto the Republican platform. At times, some of his rhetoric was even compared to Hitler (remind you of anyone?). However, unlike the Republican rhetoric today, Goldwater pledged to “redress Constitutional interpretation in favor of the public” by appointing judges who prioritized individual rights.”
Barry Goldwater was known for speaking his mind freely and often. His policy views lined up well with the views of the Republican party at the time. Until recent years, he might have fit quite nicely into the “side show” of today’s “Republican party.” His cultural views, however, would probably cause today’s MAGA Republicans like Marjorie Taylor Greene, Jim Jordan, Mike Johnson, Donald Trump and others, to cast him from the party quickly and without debate. Here are some prophetic Barry Goldwater quotes that would immediately propel his expulsion from the party today:
-You don’t have to be straight to be in the military; you just have to be able to shoot straight.
-Everyone knows that gays have served honorably in the military since at least the time of Julius Caesar.
-A woman has a right to an abortion. That’s a decision that’s up to the pregnant woman … not some do-gooders or the Religious Right.
-Government can, instead of extending freedom, restrict freedom. And note … that the “can” quickly becomes “will” the moment the holders of government power are left to their own devices. This is because of the corrupting influence of power, the natural tendency of men who possess power to take unto themselves more power. The tendency leads eventually to the acquisition of all power — whether in the hands of one or many makes little difference to the freedom of those left on the outside.
-Government should stay the hell out of people’s business.
-Small men, seeking great wealth or power, have too often and too long turned even the highest levels of public service into mere personal opportunity.
-The Republicans have a positive talent for self-destruction.
Ah, yes, I remember real Republicans and those “good old days.” ‘Nuff said.
Jeanne Schutz
Winona Lake, via email