Letters
My political convictions

I have sent the following letter to the Republican National Committee in Washington, D.C., and thought Dispatch Record readers might be interested in these remarks.

Dale DeShazo

Re: Your survey and request for contribution

I am not completing and returning your survey, because I feel the questions are designed in such a way as to obtain only a desired answer that almost all conservatives would agree to. There seem to be a lot of other questions that should be asked if the Republican Party really wants to regain control. Please permit me to expand a bit.

The Contract With America was an excellent starting point in correcting what has been wrong with American politics, in my opinion. The Republican Party's elected ones all too soon abandoned the principles it contained and could not resist politics as usual. I am becoming more frustrated as a conservative, given the senseless earmarks, special-interest influence, corruption of some (both parties) elected officials without sufficient penalty, and I could elaborate further.

For a time I have wondered if it is time for a major third political party. It seems we have gone to extremes of both the conservative and liberal thinkers, yet a significant number of Americans are somewhere in the middle. Though I consider myself a conservative, I believe I also have a strong conviction that America is too wealthy a nation to ignore the poor of both our nation and those of other nations. However, I feel there is too much waste in government spending, inadequate accountability of those responsible for enforcement of the programs guidelines. I feel the World Bank does not lend but gives and requires no accountability, and certainly does not want to investigate fraud and misuse of its own programs. I feel the U.N. is not in our best interests, and directly conflicts with our purported efforts in humanitarian aid and our system of values, though we are assessed a very large share of its budget.

I can't but wonder how a candidate can expect and accept often very large but structured contributions, yet not be expected to influence legislation. Surely those contributors expect something in return for their significant amounts.

While I have voted for Republican nominees for a lot of years, I really consider myself an independent conservative. I regret that I often feel I vote not for the candidate I really think is a well-qualified one who will vote and serve the interests of America, but the one who is just different than the opposing candidate. It seems a poor choice many times.

The parties have become too quick to condemn the other, usually with mean-spirited rebuttals, some that are even venomous in nature. Is it unreasonable to expect that these elected ones work together for balanced legislation and programs? The atmosphere is one of total animosity for any who don't agree, from both sides. This serves only to further alienate the voters, causing increased division and hatred among Americans.

I don't know if you really want to hear these comments or not. Nor do I know whether this letter will be trashed and ignored by the Republican Party, but I fear it may well be. And, I recognize that I may even be wrong in my thinking. However, I believe many, many Americans might feel much the same. Please consider that my thoughts are submitted humbly and with the best of intentions for our wonderful country and my countrymen.