I once liked Republicans.  That was before they lost their minds and went batshit crazy.  Where’s the fiscal responsibility, belief in small government, premise that the law should stay out of people’s personal lives, advocacy of individual responsibility and honesty, strength on national security and the military, love of the US Constitution, support of enforcing the law on all citizens regardless of position or stature, inherent practice of open government, defense of the separation of powers, or basic common sense?  I don’t even recognize that party anymore.

And let me say this: Derek was a dyed-in-the-wool Republican.  He believed in the party.  He saw the promise of what they had to offer.  He disagreed with some of their policies, but his political leanings and personal beliefs led him to the assumption that no other party was able to accomplish what he deemed to be our top priorities.

Now, he’s rolling in his grave.  He would be so alienated by what the RNC has become.  On September 11, 2001, as he and I sat and watched the travesties unfold hour by hour, he felt in his heart that the right party was in charge of our government and would responsibly act in the best interests of the people and of the world.  Too bad the opposite happened.