Marco Rubio claims that President Obama wants to ‘change America.’ Not that he would know anything about our nation, its history, or the real Republican Party, but he is correct. The President has attempted to return our nation to its once great position in the world. He is also attempting to help our people move forward into the 21^st century, instead of moving backwards while the rest of the world advances. He is making efforts to restore our nation from the damage caused by the Bush Administration, and seven years of fighting the ‘party of no.’

What the majority of our nation’s people are not aware of is the voting record of Republicans thanks to a corrupt mainstream media.

In June of 2012, Republicans blocked a bill which would have guaranteed equal pay for women in the workplace. I would have closed loopholes created by the 1963 Equal Pay Act.

In May of 2012, Republicans blocked a bill which would have frozen student loan rates, before they doubled in July.

Also in May of 2012, Colorado Republicans blocked an effort by Governor John Hickenlooper to allow civil unions. This would have allowed same-sex couples to make medical decisions for each other and protect parental and inheritance rights. Republicans ignored the fact that 72 percent of Colorado’s citizens approved of the measure.

Again in May of 2012, Republican Senators blocked a bill to add sanctions on Iran’s oil production. It was an obvious effort to harm the upcoming nuclear agreement talks.

Protecting the one-percent, Republicans blocked President Obama’s $447 billion works package, also in October of 2011. It would have reduced payroll taxes for the working class and their employers; extended unemployment insurance; funds would be used for education, transportation projects and public workers, including police officers.

To pay for it, a tax increase would have been levied on the wealthy and corporations.

There have been many more of these situations; these are simply the ‘lowlights.’

The GOP talks a lot about jobs and the economy, but fails to take any positive action. This was not the situation 20 years ago. True Republicans negotiated and compromised with the Democratic brothers to pass legislation which would be beneficial to the majority of our nation’s people.

Rubio and his ‘Uncle Rush’ are right; the President does want to change our nation; he wants to restore its greatness and serve the majority and not only special interests.

The wage gap must be reduced if the middle class is to survive. Our nation must recognize the rights of all Americans to love who they chose and share the same benefits as heterosexuals. Women must finally have complete equality with men. Education must be THE priority if our nation is to move forward. Racism and bigotry must be erased from our nation. Freedom of religion, as guaranteed by our founding fathers must once again be the focus of government; no party should be aligned with a single religion and deny the rights of others.

Real Republicans believed in all of the above. Sadly, most of them are in their graves, and turning over as these pretenders use their once respected name.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

Source

Photo Courtesy of Barbara Ann Spengler

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