GOP must forget present, look back

As a life-long Republican, I agree with everything said in your editorials of March 11 and 13 as to why Republicans are on the run in the suburbs.

You're right. It will be forward-thinking Republicans who will learn from the mistakes and make the radical but necessary changes needed to get this country back on a strong and respected two-party system.

At the risk of stating the obvious, I'd like to offer a little guidance in this area.

I recommend looking to the past and taking a lesson from the way things used to be.

I realize we're in a different world, but I remember when basic tenets of human civility a la Henry Hyde and Paul Simon seemed to always be a high priority.

For the most part, politicians were very respectful and civil toward each other.

Many learned their trade by arguing as gentlemen do and working their way up the ranks to earn their positions on public ballots.

The good politician's byword was "compromise" and they respected the power of the democratic process.

Yes there was skullduggery, but in public, they tried to be very careful how they spoke, knowing anything said would be in the public domain for all to scrutinize.

Of course there were exceptions who selfishly played the angles for political and personal gain, but even they seemed to be aware of the unwritten rules that trumped unsportsmanlike and ungentlemanly behavior.

They appeared respectful of their opposition and mostly used the checks and balance process appropriately.

They worked hard at couching their criticisms, thus paving the way for constructive compromise that would get hammered out for the overall good.

No, it didn't always work as planned, but I think we must keep in mind that compared to the rest of the world, we are still a neophyte country that is still experiencing growing pains.

Our progress can be characterized as taking two steps forward with the invariable one back, but I believe we are slowly gaining ground at all levels of government.

There always is a price paid for wisdom, and I think it's time the Republican party realizes it has paid enough.

My sincerest hope is the GOP sees the dawn of a new day and look toward discarding insulting robo-calling, excessive mailings and scorched-earth tactics and returning to the much longed for civility and sincere respectability.

These are the hallmarks of true class and will go a long way in returning my pride in being a Republican.

Richard "Dick" Rehwaldt

Algonquin