THE CHAIRMAN'S CORNER

The Grand Old Party ... the party of Lincoln.

As Republicans, in times like these, we must turn to the sage words of Abraham Lincoln -- the first Republican president -- and honor his legacy by reminding Republicans and Democrats alike that Lincoln was in fact a Republican with strong Republican ideals and values. Lincoln was not a Democrat, contrary to statements made by the President and other Democrat leaders improperly seeking to appropriate the legacy Lincoln for their own political gain.

As a matter of fact, Lincoln would be appalled by the assault the Democrats have made on our free markets that have taken the form of bank bailouts, nationalization of the domestic auto industry and staggering debts that will inevitably lead to a debased currency. To the bailouts of banking and industrial concerns, Lincoln might say what he had said about capitalism: it is “the just and generous and prosperous system, which opens the way for all -- gives hope to all, and energy and progress and improvement of condition to all.” More germane to the bailouts, he would probably add: to those who fail “it is not the fault of the system, but because of either a dependent nature which prefers it, or improvidence, folly, or singular misfortune.” In other words, Lincoln surely would say that capitalism and free markets are not to blame for bad business decisions. Bad business decisions are generally to blame!

We must not let the Democrats misappropriate Lincoln. Rather, we must reaffirm what we all know: Lincoln was a Republican in the 1860’s and he would be a Republican today. They can have Arlen Specter, but we’ll keep Lincoln.

Justin R. Clark
Chairman

VOTE NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS. VOTE LOW TAXES. VOTE REPUBLICAN.