Beyond the obvious endangered, odd-toed, horned, herbivore, the term RINO is being used to criticize members of the Republican Party who aren’t “Republican enough?” To recognize who might be failing to be republican enough, we need to start by clarifying what a Republican is supposed to be. Normally Reagan, Eisenhower, and Grant make the list of great Republicans when examples are needed, but the embodiment and arguably the first Republican was Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln was pro-business, pro-labor, pro-immigration, and pro-conservation.
More recently the Republican Party has stood for small government, balanced budgets, a reduced national debt, been pro-military, pro law enforcement, and claimed the title of the “law and order party.” The Republican Party also claims to be a “big tent” party. So it is a little strange to see extremists in the party turning on traditional Republicans and working to discredit them in the eyes of their constituents.
Anyone claiming to be a Republican and adhering to historically republican ideals should be welcome in the party. Nowhere is it written that Republicans must be Trump lapdogs, or even Trump loyalists. In fact, Lincoln, Eisenhower, and Reagan are probably turning over in their graves. Trump is a self-promoter, believes in no God but himself, and does not represent the working American. Donald Trump stands for none of our values and is a Republican In Name Only.
Reading and Resource Recommendations:
Avlon, John P. Lincoln and the Fight for Peace. Simon & Schuster, 2022.
Chernow, Ron. Grant. Waterville, ME: Thorndike Press, 2018.
Guelzo, Allen C. Mr. Lincoln: The Life of Abraham Lincoln. Chantilly, VA: Published by the Great Courses, 2005.
https://www.facebook.com/savetherhinointernational/
https://www.thetoptens.com/leaders/greatest-republican-presidents/
https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/abraham-lincoln/
