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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (June 24, 1999)
The Republican civil war Division amongst Republican factions may spell disaster in 2000 TnnnTn a i.u a a a tat • • i i « « . «... r us u senior English and philos ophy major. It’s becoming quite clear, in this election cycle, that there is a rift in the Republican Party. What is not so clear is just where, exactly, the rift is. Some would argue the abortion debate is tearing the GOP apart. Some would argue that the “Religious Right” will be responsible for the demise of the Republican Party struc ture. Others contend that it’s the move away from true conservatism and giv ing into socially irresponsible demands. Basically what we have is a divi sion between fiscal conservatives and social conservatives. Fiscal conservatives - well, they’ll tell you they’re for lower taxes, less government. Lower taxes essentially means they don’t want to part with uicu muucy. way suuuiu uiey: They earned it. Either that or it’s fami ly money and they’ve had it all their lives In any case, nobody else earned it. It’s the common sense idea Americans have of reaping the rewards of labor. Less government essentially means freedom to make more money without being told how to spend it, which makes sense and is fair, as long as they’re not exploiting the already downtrodden to accom plish their goals. Social issues are more complicat ed. If you pay attention to the nationa media, a very negative portrait of social conservatives is being painted. When it comes to traditional val ues, Charlton Heston said it best, “Heaven help the God-fearing, law abiding, Caucasian, middle class, V* Protestant or even worse evangelical Christian, Midwest or Southern or even worse nmu, apparently siraignt - or even worse admitted ‘heterosexu al,’ gun-owning or even worse NRA card-carrying, average working stiff, or even worst of all, male working stiff. Because not only don’t you count, you’re a downright obstacle to social progress.” If you believe everything you’re told, you believe social conservatives are really just a bunch of borderline cult evangelical Christians who spend their evenings and weekends at tent revivals handling snakes. And if you are a media consumer, you are also l deathly afraid of the “Religious Right” because they are going to march into your home with their guns (to protect themselves from the Anti Christ) and shove a Bible up your butt. That’s what I’ve gathered at least, and believe you me - it put the fear of God in me. Come on people. We’re [The Moose s Tooth! - V====ar* outdoor sports & travel HIKING An/S Ar%Ar\ cumbing 489 4849 1=35- 40th &*0* _,_; BACKPACKING MOVING August 1st, 1999: _ 27th ft VINE CAMPING Everything you need fei the great outdoors. ;| 66 Come on people. We’re Americans. We all have an agenda. This is supposed to be a representative democracy. Its OK, in a democracy, to elect individuals who will enact the legislative policies you believe are correct Americans'We all have an agenda. This is supposed to be a representative democracy. It’s OK, in a democracy, to elect individuals who will enact the legislative policies you believe are correct. Religious people have a right to be involved in policymaking and can’t be expected to check their convictions at the metal detectors. Many people’s beliefs are grounded in religious con viction, and they organize themselves to work diligently for the good of this nation as they see it. Do you really want to crucify them for that? But maybe you won’t have to; Republican presidential candidates may beat you to it. I don’t know if the Party will sur vive another crowded primary. You’ve got Candidate A in the red checked shirt calling himself the true conserv ative, implying that the others are squishes and don’t stand for anything, the Money Man who just aims to run everyone else through the ringer because he can, Potato Head celebrat ing the previous attacks on popular TV personalities and not making a point and then there’s Junior who insinuates that Republicans in general are a bunch of heartless jerks. Great, just great. Instead of every one punching the other guy (or gal) in the face, just this once couldn’t the , guy (or gal) with the best ideas win? Can somebody just say what they believe and why? Republicans must be wary of lib erals nancying around and mas querading as Republicans. Republicans are conservative and Democrats are liberal. If they’re trying to change that and expand the defini tion, then they’re not really Republicans. Where were you in Civics class? Now this is not to say that Republicans can’t note die times when change is needed, for example granti ng equal (but not special) rights to minorities, but they don’t greet change with open arms. Change seek ers should be a red alert. So what does all this mean? It means the Republicans better shape up fast. They better figure out what they stand for and hold their candidates to it. They better have a united ideology. After all, “united we stand - divided we fall.” .. Backwoods Territory OUTDOOR OUTFITTERS 420-2244 Tent Sale 10-15% OFF • ■ '■ '4,