Bernie Sanders, Ted Cruz, and others continue to claim that ‘the establishment’ is bad for America. They seem to forget that they are members of ‘the establishment.’ Ted Cruz is one of its leaders. His TEA Party is the reason ‘the establishment’ is broken today.

I remember a time when a discussion about Washington and politicians was heated but worthwhile because eventually the two sides came together and found enough common ground to reach a compromise. The establishment wasn’t perfect; but it worked.

I am fed up with semantics from politicians. And let’s get to the truth of the matter. Words used by those who seek our vote mean far more than their definitions.

For example; ‘conservative’ no longer fits its definition: “Tending to ​emphasize the ​importance of ​personal ​responsibility and ​traditional ​values and to ​oppose ​depending on ​government for ​social ​services.” Today it describes the extremists and obstructionists in the Republican Party. ‘Not being conservative enough’ is slang for not being far enough to the right where no deliberation or compromise can be accomplished.

The establishment is important if our government is to work. Cruz criticizes Trump for claiming that he knows how to ‘make a deal.’ That is the only way anything can be accomplished in Washington. Just saying ‘no’ is never an answer. Cruz has promised to always say ‘no.’

I truly believe that we do not have an ‘establishment’ today. Thanks to the implosion of one of our major parties, our government does not exist as a functioning body. Ronald Reagan’s daughter said that she believes that her father would be ashamed of all of today’s presidential wannabees. I am positive that other great Republicans would feel the same way.

Lincoln would be disgusted with his party. They have no interest in, or respect for minorities. They believe that only a few should be free and possess all of the rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

Teddy Roosevelt would call them lazy and uncaring. They refuse to work hard for the American people, and have little concern for the majority. He labored continously across party lines to accomplish the goals of his administration which benefitted all of our nation’s citizens.

Eisenhower was a leader; the Republican Party desperately needs one today. He often stated what he believed to be the futility of war. Today’s Republicans seek another unwinnable war in the Middle East which would cost our nation thousands of lives and trillions of dollars.

These men were the leaders of the establishment; Washington was far from perfect, but it worked.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

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Photo Courtesy of DonkeyHotey

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