REPUBLICAN | ME
I am a republican and using George W. Bush’s nomenclature a compassionate conservative. So what? Nothing noteworthy except 90% of Indian-American diaspora is democratic. So being a republican either I stand out or be a sore thumb. Indians, Israelis, Italian and Palestinians are passionate about their politics. Discussing a disputed political subject always results in verbal fist fights. So being a minority republican in majority democratic Indian-American diaspora, I have escaped verbal injuries.
I am watching a paradigm shift in our politics. New words – the radical left, the white extremist, the liberals, the greens and so on have displaced conservative, liberal, hawk and dove. So, I thought I express my views on certain key matters.
VOTING RIGHTS
I firmly believe every US Citizen who is legally entitled to vote, should be allowed to vote. The process of voting has evolved from paper ballots to electronic machines. Casting a vote has long migrated from standing in line to other alternatives. I suggest voting should be allowed by mail, secured vote collection stations should be in as many places as possible and in-person voting locations must stay open longer hours to accommodate as many voters as possible. The technology is available to ensure proper identification for all modes of voting. As we learn more about the cyber security, we can strengthen our systems. The process to vote should be easier and convenient to increase the vote count. In this democratic society of ours, any rules which disenfranchise a single voter through restrictions is criminal. In last election almost 160 million Americans voted. Let push that number to 200 million in the next election.
VOTING RECORD
In past 4 general elections, I voted mostly for republicans. Each of my vote was given to the candidate who was most qualified rather than which party he or she belonged to. In spite of my party affiliation, I feel it is essential the noble profession of politics is carried out by those who care about this country, its democracy and constituents they represent. To my delight all my votes have gone to legit candidates. None of them are involved in scandals, mostly taken policy positions which are party affiliation independent and protected our democracy at every juncture. So, voting for a right and suitable candidate in my case worked.
GUN RIGHTS
I support Second Amendment. I am a gun owner. I own several high-end hand guns and a long gun for trap shooting. My guns are registered and always kept in safe place. I go to shooting range frequently and take shooting lessons to ensure I handle guns correctly. Fortunately, in past 35 years when I have owned the guns, I never had an occasion to display or use to protect me or my property. In past 5 years, however the gun violence has become prominent with countless lives lost. Criminals in major cities carry out indiscriminate shootings and deranged individuals have conducted countless mass shootings. There are two underlying causes – AR 15 types of assault weapons and weapon ownership that may be unwarranted. I would suggest implementation of special need-based AR 15 type of assault weapons procurement by individuals and proper background check for all gun purchases. We need a drivers license to operate a car, so why not one for owning a AR 15? We require driving test for getting a driver’s permit, why not a background check that can eliminate felons, family violence perpetrators and mental patients. These measures may not solve the problem 100% but it sure to reduce the shameful violence we are experiencing.
IMMIGRATION
I am an immigrant, arrived in this country almost 50 years ago. I became a naturalized citizen shortly thereafter and have been a tax paying citizen ever since. I assimilated in American culture without losing my identity. In the early days when I received my graduate degree, I had 3 job offers before I graduated. Looking back, I was offered opportunities and it was up to me to succeed or fail. The good old days.
So, I am an immigrant and must be inclined to support immigration and open boarders - shockingly NO. Our situation in terms of accommodating all Americans for employment, social needs and healthcare is falling apart. With COVID-19 pandemic the fear of future is more prevalent. We lack necessary resources to cater and provide cover for our current population.
Let me ask a question? If you have two children but do not have enough resources to feed them; would you bring another child in your family. Heartless as it sounds, we need to close the boarders until such time when we have established employment, income security and healthcare services for our current resident population including resolving the issue of undocumented immigrant presently in the country. In the meantime, do provide work permits to skilled workers – engineers, doctors, farm workers and other essential workforce to come and work. This income earning group will improve productivity and income base without over-burdening our social safety net. We need to protect this country from an implosion of our social fabric as we have come to expect with unchecked immigration.
SHADES OF REPUBLICAN
30 years ago, when you asked for your party affiliation and if you said I am a republican; you had to say no more. To-day there are multiple shades of republicans. I call my self a Compassionate Conservative Republican [CCR]. I belong to the party of Ronald Regan, George H.W. Bush, Dick Cheney, George Bush, John McCain, Mitt Romney, Ben Sasse and Liz Cheney. This group placed welfare of America ahead of their own self promotion and mega phone. The current party is infiltrated by turn coats, opportunists and always object without any merit crowd. This is shame for the party of Lincoln. We are losing our heritage and class created by Ronald Regan. Hopefully for the country’s sake and party’s sake – these splinter shades will fade.