America's two-party system needs two 21st Century parties

The following commentary is written by my good friend George Miller, who is retired from a career as an American Foreign Service Officer.

A View

This is a brief review of the dilemma of the Republican Party as seen through the eyes of a card carrying member of the Democratic Party.

The dilemma is that control of the Party rests largely with aging Anglo-Saxon males, steeped in the mores of the past, trying to formulate programs that will appeal to a younger, multi-cultural society in which women play an ever more important role.

Their old hearts are not in the effort so the Party's messages are conflicting, garbled and uncertain. It claims to have a concern for the working poor and disadvantaged but gives debt reduction top priority, opposes minimum wage hikes and chooses a candidate for President who writes off 47% of Americans as free loaders destined to vote Democratic.

Writing off half the voters in the country proved not to be a recipe  for success in 2012.

The Party claims to have an interest in solving the illegal immigration problem but blocks legislation to address the problem and any path to eventual citizenship for illegal emigrants. Its solution so far, more security at our southern border. It harps on the problems of the Affordable Care Act but offers no acceptable alternatives to it. It constantly criticizes the Obama Administration's foreign policy initiatives designed, through diplomacy, to end bloodshed and turmoil in troubled areas of the world. Unlike its great leader of the past it now offers only a big stick solution to world problems leaving no room for speaking softly. 

The GOP, as presently constituted, sounds discordant notes on its political trumpets and wonders why so many voters don't respond to its calls for action. Voters are asking--what action? Why? And, in a divided Party, under whose leadership?

Is a turn around possible? Yes, with new leadership in tune with the 21st century and America's rapidly changing profile. I am a firm believer in a viable two party system and wish the Grand Old Party well in its efforts to put its house in order.