The Manhattan Times

Dressing as a Republican on Halloween

by Luis Miranda

Two weeks ago I received an “official” letter from the Republican Party naming me an official party representative in the 15th Congressional District. The letter, which was accompanied by a questionnaire, congratulated me for my political activism and my work with the Republicans. Since I have been so busy lately, I put the questionnaire aside and just recently got around to reading it. For a second a contemplated throwing it in the trash; but instead I chose, as an “official” representative of the party, to complete it and return it.

As I read the questionnaire I became convinced that I don’t have anything in common with the Republican Party. First the questionnaire asked if I was worried that the Democrats have total control of Washington, I answered that I “was elated.” Later, when asked to choose which party could best handle issues ranging from the war in Iraq to Social Security to protecting “traditional values,” I responded that the Democratic Party was best suited to handle these challenges. Finally, I wrote that both President Obama and the Congress were doing good jobs.

What most convinced me that the Republican Party’s concerns aren’t the same as mine was the section where I had to write if I was “in favor” or “against” particular policies. In terms of the six policy issues listed – prayer in schools, flag-burning, human cloning, religion, making abortion illegal, and gay marriage – my position on each is diametrically opposed to that of the GOP. I’m opposed to prayer in our public schools. I support a woman’s right to choose to have an abortion. And I support the right of gays and lesbians to marry.

There are times when the Democrats make my blood boil. Every time they water down the public option in the health care reform plans being debated in Washington, I get angry. But folks, it could be much worse if the Republicans take charge. The questionnaire asked if I thought that Republicans should do, WHATEVER IT TAKES, to scuttle the public option.

Every time the Democrats delay having a meaningful debate on immigration and more and more families end up living in the shadows, I call them cowards. But this is different from the Republicans view which is to blame immigrants for the nation’s ills. The questionnaire stooped to ask if I thought that the Obama administration could detain the flow of undocumented immigrants into the country.

Finally, Michael Steele, the Chairman of the National Republican Party, asked me in his letter to send the party a donation. Never! Instead I wrote a check for a fundraiser in support of the Association to Benefit Children to which a friend had invited me. It’s better to help the kids who were hurt by the Republican policies of Bush than to send a dime to those who were in power for eight years and nearly bankrupted the country.