By Linda Schmitt, Corvallis
I read Rachel B’s letter with incredulity. I don’t who she’s been talking to, but obviously not any Democrats. Her litany of allegations is a fantasy. I’ve been a Democrat for over 50 years and I don’t recognize anything true in her statement. Let me make two points. (I’ll ignore most of her points because to address them gives them more substance than they warrant).
First, the Democratic Party is the “big tent” party. We welcome all patriots, all colors and creeds. We seek to reconcile disparate views in the process. It’s a big job. As the Democratic Party gets bigger and more inclusive, the Republican Party simply gets smaller, less welcoming and more self-serving. This is unfortunate. As a society, we benefit from a healthy clash of two vibrant parties. It’s sad to see what the Republican Party has become. Anymore, all it stands for is tax cuts for the rich, a distinctly un-Christian version of Christianity, attacks on the integrity of women’s bodies and adoration before that altar of mammon, the stock market. (It’s a mild curiosity to me that people earning humble wages declare themselves Republicans, as if that party did one good thing for them. I suspect they want to be seen as Republicans so others will think they have more than they do).
My second point pertains to the ridiculous allegation of “socialistic communism.” Anyone who remembers the Cold War, the threat of nuclear war, and the Cuban Missile Crisis will be outraged that this young lady presumes to know beans about the threat of communism, socialism and all we have done to protect America from those excesses. We have Social Security, Medicare, and minimum wages because they either deter poverty or enable people to work productively. We support health care and workplace protections so we can maintain a healthy population. Who needs a society crippled by pandemics, diseases or dangerous environments?
Finally, let me assure readers that the young lady’s allegations in no way resemble Margaret Gorski or the Democratic Party. I just wonder what planet Rachel inhabits, so I can be sure not to go there.