Holy Koch brothers, share the
wealth?
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.
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
