The Party of JFK, Reagan and Bill Clinton

If GOP’s small government era ends tonight, or in Cleveland, the dream will go on.

I’m ideologically descended from those, like Reagan, whom the Democratic party left a few decades ago. But the Dems have moved even further away, so we can’t return there if the GOP leaves us too. I’d like the new party to be the party of JFK, Reagan, and Bill Clinton. One that believes that the era of big government is over and that we have been endowed by our Creator with the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I’d like to see big tent or moderation on the following:

• 1st trimester abortion as safe, legal and rare, with restrictions after that.

• Low taxes, but without spending all our political capital on tax cuts for the wealthy.

• Better safety net focused on helping people support themselves and make their own choices. School choice. Earned income tax credits. Universal catastrophic care.

• Entitlement reform.

• Deficit reduction.

• Free trade, while helping those Americans hurt by it.

• Free speech, even on campuses, and even for Trump.

• An end to using the bully pulpit to mock Christianity, or sacrificing religious liberty for progressive crusades.

• Recognize SSM but respect the respectful dissenters.

I’d like to see many of the current GOP office holders, and some of the Dems, move to this new party. Especially Ben Sasse, Paul Ryan, Rand Paul, Rubio, Jindal, and Cruz. I haven’t given up on the presidential election. We’d need a presidential ticket that can win enough states to prevent Hillary and Trump from reaching 270, and which can then get support from Republicans in the House. Wouldn’t add legitimacy to the office, but neither would Hillary or Trump. Maybe Condoleezza Rice with Michael Bloomberg as her running mate. This is all if we lose the party to Trump. Those are my thoughts. What are yours?