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Buchanan’s 1992 GOP Address

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Pat Buchanan’s “Not Houston, Dan: Perot and the Economy” (Column Right, May 10) shows a lack of understanding of election-year politics on a par with his actual convention speech. Of course Republicans publicly stated that his speech was great! What were they supposed to do before an election? State in front of the cameras that he divided the constituency and lost the election for the Republicans? No, the best they could do was damage control.

As my generation slowly becomes the dominating voting force in America (I’m 30), I can see why the standard Republican agenda is failing and why the GOP is out of touch with America. Buchanan has missed out on one of the fundamental changes in America--people still value the family, but no longer require a traditional definition of family. Furthermore, people are insulted when told what their family should look like.

Buchanan claims that the Clinton & Clinton agenda was “not the kind of change we can tolerate in a nation we still call God’s country.” Bill & Hill were not proposing a change to the country’s social activities, but merely a governmental tolerance of what was already accepted in mainstream America. Furthermore, it’s somewhat sickening (although unfortunately not that uncommon) that Buchanan veils his dogmatism under the guise of promoting Christianity. True Christianity is about tolerance, not moral enforcement.

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The Republican Party is still the only viable political vehicle to promote economic common sense and validation of the work ethic in America. Buchanan’s drive to impose his definition of family values will continue to divide the GOP, keeping the liberal economic agenda in place until our taxes hit the roof and there is no more hope to give incentive to growth and prosperity.

MARK F. KARMELICH

Rancho Palos Verdes

I am dismayed that Buchanan still defends his 1992 Houston GOP convention speech and doesn’t retract one word. As a lifelong, fiscally conservative Republican, I vividly recall watching Buchanan deliver that chilling, threatening diatribe against decent Americans who disagree with him. I remember going to bed that night saddened and disappointed and fearful for the future of our party. It was a shameful and hateful performance which significantly contributed to the defeat of President Bush.

Republicans must realize and rejoice in the fact that Buchanan’s opinions are held by a shrinking number of thoughtful Americans.

JAMES ZIEGLER

San Diego

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