Republicans should look to Goldwater for inspiration

By MATT PAUL

The ’60s were a tumultuous time for America.

Just the mention of that decade brings visions of civil rights marches, Vietnam War protests and Woodstock.

However, it was also the time when the religious right began to take over the Republican Party. Since that decade, some Republicans have claimed to do God’s work by promoting “intelligent design” and keeping Harry Potter out of schools.

“I think some of the Republicans should be less religious in their views because of separation of church and state,” said Jon Hansen, a junior undecided major.

Many find it hard to envision a Republican Party that does not take advantage of religion or one that believes that less government is better government. In a way, this is a testament to how well the religious right made people forget the old Republican ideas. If I were to say that there was once a politician who had no problem with gays in the military, was a harsh critic of Jerry Falwell and supported the legalization of medicinal marijuana, you’d probably assume I was speaking of a Democrat. But that person was actually called “Mr. Conservative” in the ’60s.

“It sounds like an oxymoron. Those aren’t usually positions you associate with conservatives these days,” said Brian Ward, sophomore business administration major.

It may be surprising, but it’s true. Those beliefs were all held by former Arizona Sen. Barry Goldwater. He was the last of a dying breed of Republicans rendered extinct by a party influenced by evangelical Christians.

Goldwater predicted that the Republicans would be hurt if they allowed the religious right to get a foothold in the Republican Party. That prediction seems to be true now that satirists like Stephen Colbert make a living lampooning modern Republican beliefs. However, I am sensing a change.

A moderate Republican such as John McCain has beaten opponents such as Mike Huckabee, and people are growing tired of Pat Robertson making outrageous claims like Hurricane Katrina was a punishment from God. Perhaps now the GOP can make a small shift back toward the Goldwater era.

If the Republicans combined current economic policy with a Goldwater social policy, it would be refreshing for me, since I hardly agree with the Democrats on anything.

The Republicans could stand for keeping minimal government in the boardroom and the bedroom, and I could finally have a party to rally behind.