To the Editor:
The Decline and Pending Downfall of Our American Republic: Barry Goldwater
The steps taken by the Republican Party that have resulted in its devolution into a Trumpista cult and becoming the most dangerous political organization in the world are legion and have been ongoing since World War II. Its longtime reliance on Big Lies has finally consumed it: Believing that Donald Trump actually won the Election of 2020 is practically a prerequisite to being a member of the party. Its use of McCarthyism, or guilt by association, has led it to reject the concept of a loyal opposition: Its rejection of the Democratic Party's emphasis on social programs intended to improve the quality of everyone's life has led it to demonize the Dems as being socialists or Communists.
Now, add to those steps the presidential candidacy of Arizona's senator Barry Goldwater in 1964. The senator introduced two major tactics that have come to dominate the G.O.P.: Being anti-government and implementing a Southern Strategy to win elections. It's true that Richard Nixon is the one who is usually associated with initiating these ploys, but he merely followed Goldwater's lead.
As I have written before (March 6, 2020), there was a severe right-wing backlash to the Supreme Court's unanimous decision in 1954's Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas. Led by economist James McGill Buchanan and the Koch brothers, the anti-government fossil fuel tycoons Charles and David, a decision was reached to re-educate the American people. They feared that appearing racist would not be wise, so they wanted to get voters to oppose "government overreach."
Goldwater was a loyal supporter of their cause. He opposed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that was supported by JFK and signed by LBJ. Much of his presidential campaign was centered in the South. Asked about that, he explained, "If you want to go duck hunting, you go where the ducks are." He was looking for anti-government, white supremacist votes and the largest concentration of those – at that time – was in the South. Southern Democrats, who dominated southern politics, systematically began leaving the party and becoming Republicans. Democrats in Arkansas survived until the national party nominated Barack Obama for president in 2008.
Goldwater's campaign slogan was "In your heart, you know he's right." Sixty percent of the voters agreed that he was too far to the right, and LBJ won in a landslide. Richard Nixon, who had narrowly lost in 1960, campaigned around the country for Goldwater, chalking up IOUs that he cashed in during his successful run in 1968. His adopted southern strategy was largely successful, terminating his commendable civil rights record of the 1950s.
He lost much of his Republican congressional support because he supported some hugely popular government programs (the Clean Air Act and Environmental Protection Agency) and because of his successful visits to the Soviet Union and China (communist nations). However, Nixon's presidency ended because of Watergate, which succeeded in making people have less trust in their government.
David Offutt
El Dorado
To the Editor:
Today," We the People" are facing a "Cold Hard Truth"! We are losing nearly 250 years of freedom and prosperity to socialism/progressivism and perversion, as our Constitution and freedoms are stolen from us! When a Nation turns from Gods' ordained moral tenants and embraces, ungodly values, what we see happening in our society today will always be the result.
Lies and manufactured deceptions are being perpetuated and forced on us by the National media, while Government leadership is using fear and coercion to enact ungodly and illegal acts of aggression against 'We the People'. Our Government leaders no longer choose to represent the Citizens of America!
Chaos ensues; as deprivation of Human life and property, exercise of our freedoms of speech, the right of free assembly and worship; to live peaceably with all men, is being denied, replaced with tyranny and violence! The right to bear arms and be secure in our properties and homes with the guarantee of being innocent until proven guilty by a jury of our peers has been struck down! Our Justice System, intelligence organizations, government leaders and Courts routinely promote ungodly ideology and support perverse lifestyles, preferring convenience over the "Rule of Law".
If January 6th, 2021, was truly an insurrection and an attempt to subvert the Constitution and over throw our Government, as we are being told by the National Media, Democrats, many Republicans [rinos], and Progressive/Socialist tyrants; I have to ask: 'Now, that Pro-abortion antagonists are violently going after the Supreme Court Justices, demanding they not rule against Roe V. Wade or they will face violence in the streets, even storming of the Supreme Court Building, up to and including assassinations', Will these same powers that be, investigate and hold these people responsible in the same way they are Trump and His supporters?
I fail to understand how any Christian or Moral individual can support a Government that turns against the people they represent! They vote for leaders who have perverted the moral laws of God, and support the very things they claim to be against.
Paul wrote: For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the Truth in unrighteousness.
Thank you,
Royce Purifoy
El Dorado
To the Editor:
This past weekend was a tragic weekend in Buffalo, New York and out in California. Shooting done in the name of hate. What are we going to have to do. It's a good thing that they caught the shooter in Buffalo, because he was planning to do more than just the Supermarket. He had it all planned and plotted. Making racial slurs and having it on his gun. It's not going to bring back the ones, who were killed, but they need to make an example of him. They can't give him the death penalty in which he deserves. I hope they send him to a hard military style maximum security prison, where he will have a Correction Officers, tough as mean as Marine drill Sergeants, barking orders at him right and left. Give him hard labor. The same for the one in California. Now this one was over an Asian's. Well it doesn't matter whether African Americans or African Americans, God made us all. As Joel Osteen says, we are all one of a kind. Put an end to hate groups. The police should have their SWAT teams out, whenever they're plotting a hate crime. Both Shooters were caught and may they get the punishments they deserve.
Donald Putman
El Dorado
To the Editor:
The recant Buffalo NY supermarket shooting is totally unacceptable.Racism is still alive and well in the 21st century and needs curbing.We need to shut down all social media with sexist,racist,and subversive overtones and messages.This young punk who killed and injured all those innocent peoplle should face federal hate crimes charges and be given the death penalty.As a teacher ,with the rash of school shootings of the past few decades,I strongly favor gun control laws.Innocent people should have the right to shop,get and education,teach school,and go to a public function without being at the mercy of a wild eyed thug.That young punk could use a healthy taste of my late paternal grandfather's razor strap.He is just another spolied brat aho had the rod spared with him too much.NRA and these other gun rights advaocates really preturb me.Personal safety is more important than some infantile person's right to brandish a gun.
Leslie Putman
El Dorado