An Open Letter to Congressman Hultgren: Where Have All The “Republicans” Gone?

 Dear Congressman Hultgren,

We’ve been reading a lot about your activities in Washington lately and it’s kind of gotten us thinking about what it used to mean to be a Republican. Because at one point in many of our lives, that’s how we were registered.

We’re nostalgic for the Republican Party that existed before Tom Delay made being a Republican synonymous with not taking any prisoners – ever.  Before Newt Gingrich made holding the entire country hostage over differences in political philosophy a behavior tolerated in a polite society. Before GOP politicians pledged allegiance to Grover Norquist to never to vote for new taxes.  Before Paul Ryan thought it was certainly preferable to cut a senior’s Social Security or Medicare benefits rather than make General Electric pay a tax rate somewhere near where the law sets it.  And, before Randy Hultgren enjoyed gushing support from the Tea Party.

Republicans stood for smaller government, fiscal responsibility, strong defense, family values, and clear-eyed patriotism, but probably most of all for good old-fashioned common sense.  They were supporters of business, but they were just as focused on helping out the corner bank or lumber yard as they were on Wall Street.  They were patriotic, but remembered people of many countries and backgrounds came together to build this country.  While you might not always agree with them, you respected their principles and their willingness to do what was best for everyday Americans.  How times have changed.

Here’s what seems to define Republicans today:  We have just come through a government shutdown in which roughly 10% of the members of the House of Representatives, all Republican, decided that all of us would have to suffer because they disliked a law passed by Congress, signed by the President and upheld by the Supreme Court.  And according to their vocal leadership, they are ready and willing to do it all over again in a couple of months if they don’t get what they want. 

Cut spending is their mantra, ignoring who that money is spent to help.  No more taxes ever, ignoring whether the businesses that benefit from our government and society help to pay their share of its costs.  Drill, baby, drill.  Save the unborn at all costs, while ignoring the health and safety of the pregnant women.  Define who the law will let you love or marry.  Build walls and check the papers of people who look like they don’t belong.  Make it hard for people who won’t vote for them to vote at all. 

And you, Congressman Hultgren, released a statement that said in part “There are no winners if the federal government shuts down….” Then, you were the only Illinois Congressional Representative or Senator from either party who voted against ending it.

Makes you kind of nostalgic, doesn’t it?