Today's Dems are essentially the GOP of the '50s, middle-of-the-road*. I'd like to see the disenchanted Dems break off and form a Progressive Party and what's left of the GOP can represent the radical right.
*Here are some planks from the GOP platform in 1956. It's hard to believe that they were once so responsible:
Our Government was created by the people for all the people, and it must serve no less a purpose.
The legitimate object of Government is to do for a community of people whatever they need to have done but cannot do at all, or cannot so well do, for themselves in their separate and individual capacities.
In all those things which deal with people, be liberal, be human.
Establish and maintain a peaceful world and build at home a dynamic prosperity in which every citizen fairly shares.
We are proud of and shall continue our far-reaching and sound advances in matters of basic human needs—expansion of social security—broadened coverage in unemployment insurance —improved housing—and better health protection for all our people. We are determined that our government remain warmly responsive to the urgent social and economic problems of our people.
We firmly believe in the right of peoples everywhere to determine their form of government, their leaders, their destiny, in peace.
We shall continue vigorously to support the United Nations.
That men are created equal needs no affirmation, but they must have equality of opportunity and protection of their civil rights under the law.
America does not prosper unless all Americans prosper.
Government must have a heart as well as a head.
Courage in principle, cooperation in practice make freedom positive.
Assure equal pay for equal work regardless of Sex.
Revise and improve the Taft-Hartley Act so as to protect more effectively the rights of labor unions, management, the individual worker, and the public.
Republican action created the Department of Health, Education and Welfare as the first new Federal department in 40 years, to raise the continuing consideration of these problems for the first time to the highest council of Government, the President's Cabinet.
We demand once again, despite the reluctance of the Democrat 84th Congress, Federal assistance to help build facilities to train more physicians and scientists.
We have supported measures that have made more housing available than ever before in history, reduced urban slums in local-federal partnership, stimulated record home ownership, and authorized additional low-rent public housing.
To safeguard our precious soil and water resources for generations yet unborn.
To continue and expand the Republican-sponsored school milk program, to encourage further use of the school lunch program now benefiting 11 million children, and to foster improved nutritional levels.
We favor self-government, national suffrage and representation in the Congress of the United States for residents of the District of Columbia.
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These are American values and the GOP used to own them on the national political stage. They threw them away and the Democrats moved in to fill the void where the GOP had abandoned its principles. That's why I, and so many others, ended up Democrats, in order to preserve them.
It wasn't I who lost my focus on what is important, it was the Republican Party, and it's learning only now that it's impossible to turn back the clock. It has forfeited the high ground and swirling down the drain.