Did you read John Eisenhower criticism of today's Republican party?

[Lefty48197]

John Eisenhower, son of the late President, Dwight D. Eisenhower, wrote a letter to the editor of the Manchester, NH Union-Leader last year about two months prior to the Presidential election, explaining why he was going to vote for John Kerry.

http://www.theunionleader.com/Articles_show.html?article=44657&archive=1

"As son of a Republican President, Dwight D. Eisenhower, it is automatically expected by many that I am a Republican. For 50 years, through the election of 2000, I was. With the current administration’s decision to invade Iraq unilaterally, however, I changed my voter registration to independent, and barring some utterly unforeseen development, I intend to vote for the Democratic Presidential candidate, Sen. John Kerry."

"...To me, the word “Republican” has always been synonymous with the word “responsibility,” which has meant limiting our governmental obligations to those we can afford in human and financial terms. Today’s whopping budget deficit of some $440 billion does not meet that criterion."

"...Recent developments indicate that the current Republican Party leadership has confused confident leadership with hubris and arrogance."

"...In 1960, President Eisenhower told the Republican convention, “If ever we put any other value above (our) liberty, and above principle, we shall lose both.” I would appreciate hearing such warnings from the Republican Party of today."

"The Republican Party I used to know placed heavy emphasis on fiscal responsibility, which included balancing the budget whenever the state of the economy allowed it to do so. The Eisenhower administration accomplished that difficult task three times during its eight years in office. It did not attain that remarkable achievement by cutting taxes for the rich..."

"The Republicans used to be deeply concerned for the middle class and small business. Today’s Republican leadership, while not solely accountable for the loss of American jobs, encourages it with its tax code and heads us in the direction of a society of very rich and very poor."

"Sen. Kerry, in whom I am willing to place my trust, has demonstrated that he is courageous, sober, competent, and concerned with fighting the dangers associated with the widening socio-economic gap in this country. I will vote for him enthusiastically."

[Captain Hilts]

1. That got a lot of press play when he wrote it. nt

[TerdlowSmedley]

2. Yeah, why is this the first time I'm seeing this?

[SteppingRazor]

3. I recall reading it at the time it was published n/t

[Lowell]

4. The Republican Party is not what it used to be

there were actually people in it who had the best interest of the country at heart. Today this is sadly not the case. First Ron Reagan jr, now John Eisenhower. It is interesting how those historical figures so often held up as examples by the present administration thinkins was so at odds with what is happening today. I am sure Lincoln is rolling over in his grave.

[LoKnLoD]

5. Senator Kerry

..has demonstrated that he is...sober.

Pretty prescient Mr Eisenhower.