Holy Koch brothers, share the wealth?
— by Jim Hightower
Here’s some unexpected news.
It comes from what purports to be an official document of the National Republican Party. And — wow — the policy positions it contains show that party leaders really are serious about coming to their senses and rejecting the far-right wackiness that has stained their recent electoral campaigns.
Right at the top, this 18-page manifesto proclaims that, “Our government was created by the people for all the people, and it must serve no less a purpose.”
All the people? Forget last year’s ridiculous pontifications by Mitt Romney and others dividing America into virtuous “creators” and worthless “moochers” — this document abounds with commitments to the common good.
“America does not prosper,” it proudly proclaims on page three, “unless all Americans prosper.” Shazam — that’s downright democratic!
And how’s this for a complete turnaround? “Labor is the United States. The men and women, who with their minds, their hearts and hands, create the wealth that is shared in this country — they are America.” Holy Koch brothers, share the wealth?
Yes, and how about this: “The protection of the right of workers to organize into unions and to bargain collectively is [our party’s] firm and permanent policy.”
Eat your heart out, Scott Walker, and you other labor-bashing GOP governors.
The document also supports the Postal Service, the United Nations, equal rights for women, the expansion of our national parks, “vigorous enforcement of anti-trust laws,” and raising the minimum wage. There’s some kind of new enlightenment afoot in the Grand Old Party. Hallelujah!
Can all this be true? Well, it’s real, but not new.
This document is the Republican Party Platform…of 1956.
OtherWords columnist Jim Hightower is a radio commentator, writer, and public speaker. He’s also editor of the populist newsletter, The Hightower Lowdown. OtherWords.org