Reagan's courageous act in '87 is worth noting by today's GOP

San Jose Mercury News ^ | 15 June 2008 | Star Parker

[CounterCounterCulture]

Reagan's courageous act in '87 is worth noting by today's GOP

For conservatives and Republicans who are wondering what in the world happened to their party, we should recall June 12, 1987.

On that day 21 years ago, President Ronald Reagan stood before the wall dividing East and West Berlin and directed his famous appeal to the leader of the then Soviet Union: "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall."

Two and half years later, the wall was down and a new chapter had begun.

It's always worth recalling Reagan's courageous act and words of that time. But we particularly should consider it now in light of today's Republican conundrums.

The story of Reagan's Berlin speech, as recounted by former Reagan speechwriter Peter Robinson, is about change and fighting the Washington establishment. Exactly the themes we're hearing almost every day now from our current presidential aspirants.

Robinson wrote the speech for Reagan, including the famous "tear down this wall" line, and submitted it for review. Opposition to it from the administration's entire foreign policy establishment was uniform and adamant.

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

For instance: A political party needs 50% plus one to have a majority in either a House or Senate. Once that threshold has been achieved that political party puts into place the Committee chairs, etc. These people have the power to control what legislation is acted upon. It's that simple. It's also very simple to know that it's highly unlikely that almost no legislative body can get to the required number without some they would just rather not have to work with.

Look at the puke RINOS in the US Senate but we're still better of with them than without them. Oh, for a few more RINOS right now. Let's just call them "useful idiots".

[dsc]

“Let’s just call them “useful idiots”

They are not useful. They are maliciously harmful.

We all know that nothing is perfect, so there is no justification for leveling that charge against those who think the R party is not merely imperfect, but awful.

A bore is a person who can’t shut up and won’t change the subject. Similarly, the R party occupies the political space belonging to an opposition to the demonrats, without actually performing the duties of such an opposition.

That being the case, it also is worse than useless. It prevents the formation of an opposition without being an opposition itself.

The R party must die. Decent people must form a real opposition, and push it forward at all costs. Decent people should ensure the defeat of **every** R candidate for every position, from president to dog catcher. Leave the demonrats in full control of everything. Only then can a real opposition be formed.