Republicans on ABC (au)

A while ago I was contacted by the ABC, the Australian national broadcaster and asked to do an opinion piece on why I though the Republicans are the best for the US and bringing into it some ideas on the financial crisis.

It is now up on the ABC News Online website, (naturally I recommend it.)

Republicans: best for America

Anti-slavery activists and western land settlement advocates formed the Republican Party in 1854. In 1860 Abraham Lincoln was elected the first Republican President.

During the Civil War, Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation that freed slaves. The Republicans outlawed slavery, guaranteed equal protection under the laws, and helped secure voting rights for African-Americans. They have been at the forefront of every major civil rights act over the years. The principles of the Republican Party are based on individuality and personal freedom, responsibility, equal rights, and free enterprise.

Fiscal responsibility and keeping as much of the activity of government at the local or state level are strong points. These principles are generally found more at grassroot level than higher up in the party. Grassroots supporters need to push more of the Jeff Flake, John Shadegg, Dana Rohrabacher, and Sarah Palin, style libertarian Republicans into government to redress the balance.

The formation of the US constitution was unique. A group of colonies that had banded together to secure their independence were charged with establishing a federal government acceptable not only to the states themselves, but to an independently minded well armed population. …..