Dear Editor:
THE WIZARD OF OZ stood looking at today’s Republicans, as they made their pleas:
The Republican Lion said, “We have no more Courage. Please, can you help us?”
“It’s not that you have no courage, you’re just under a spell. You simply need to remember, you’re capable of greatness. One of the greatest acts of courage was made by your fellow Republican, Abraham Lincoln. Against bitter opposition, he did the right thing for the nation, honoring our founders’ declaration that ‘all men are created equal,’ and he freed the slaves with his brilliant Emancipation Proclamation. I’m awarding you with this Top Hat, Lincoln’s trademark object, to help you discover the courage within you.”
The Lion’s eyes opened wide, he put on the hat, and he said, “Yes, black lives REALLY DO matter!” The Wizard smiled, and said, “See? You’re on your way!”
The Tin Republican said, “What about ME? I have no HEART!”
The Wizard said, “It’s not that you have no heart, it’s that you’ve been mesmerized by greed and fear. You’ve forgotten your proud roots. Think back to 1986, when one of your great Republicans, Ronald Reagan, recognized our obligation to our fellow citizens, and he signed into law EMTALA, the law that instructs hospitals that they MUST treat all patients who come to them with serious problems, regardless of their ability to pay. Not only did Reagan see health care as a right due all citizens, but he also said, “I believe in the idea of amnesty for those who have put down roots and lived here, even though sometime back they may have entered illegally.” So, Reagan granted immunity … AMNESTY … to MILLIONS of immigrants within our borders, knowing they were productive members of our society. Tin Republican, I’m awarding you this Reagan Cowboy Hat, so you might remember the HEART that once defined Republicans!”
The Tin Republican put on the hat, and said, “They are NOT eating our dogs! They are NOT eating our cats! They are our neighbors and friends!” The Wizard said, “There. Don’t you feel better?”
Then the Republican Scarecrow spoke up. “But I have no BRAIN! What can be done?”
The Wizard said, “It’s not that you have no brain. It’s that you’ve been led to believe in things that are not in your best interest by people who profit from your blind support. Think back to 1970, when one of your great Republicans CREATED the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Republicans back then recognized that human activity can create disastrous environmental problems, and that government has the obligation to protect our citizens. The EPA employed lots of great brains to address the many problems of environmental decline, and our air and water almost immediately became cleaner! Richard Nixon was that great Republican who applied his brain to address this serious national problem, and all citizens benefitted tremendously. I’m awarding you this PEN that Nixon used to sign the EPA into law.”
The Republican Scarecrow grasped the PEN, and said, “Global Climate Change is REAL! We NEED the EPA, and should absolutely NOT defund it!” The Wizard said, “That’s right. Don’t be fooled into complacency, embrace the knowledge and foresight of your great Republican predecessors. Reject those who would tell your brains and knowledge are BAD.”
Republican Dorothy said, “This new place we find ourselves is not good. We really should go HOME. There’s no place like it!”
The Wizard said, “AMEN!”
Jeff Harrison
Buffalo TX 75831
