I never claimed the GOP was the perfect party. There WAS a time however, that the GOP believed in the sanctity of human life, a reduction in the federal bloat (AND elimination of the Dept of Education), and a commitment to limiting government power.
The GOP now is a merely dim reflection of the democrats - and its cowardly knack for compromising on EVERY principle has shown me that it is just a slower road to hell.
The GOP believed in the elimination of the Dept. of Education? It was created in the Carter administration. I don't recall a majority of Republicans ever being in favor of its elimination.
I'm not sure why you see that as so critical compared to say, missile defense.