Mark Small

We can’t both allow such forces to keep what they have taken (sometimes illegally) and vow to remove them from control. Allow them to remain in control of the GOP? We give up 50 yards before the kickoff. 2/17

In Indiana’s 5th Congressional District (INCD5), the contests for Governor and President of the two major political parties are done. 14 other candidates in June 2 GOP primary for U.S. Representative from INCD5 are running against me. 3/17

Madison and Hamilton, 1787 Constitutional Convention delegates, opposed factions - their term for political parties - yet helped form the first two political parties: Federalist for and Republican against ratification of The Constitution. 4/17

Also, it seems clear The Framers believed that enough people would act in the best interest of the country that the checks and balances they built into a structure inherently geared to two parties would protect the country from a despot. 5/17

In > 230 yrs, greatest crisis for Constitution was result of evil it memorialized. No variation of word “slavery” appears in original seven Articles. Deals were cut in 1787 as a price 2 keep Southern States in the Union. The Civil War was the result. 6/17

Fr 1840 political parties faded or were born/grew. One issue was dominant: slavery. When Lincoln won, Whigs had joined with what remained of the Know Nothings. Democrats split between pro-slavery and the not-so-extreme pro-slavery factions. 7/17

Today our Constitution again is in crisis. The modern GOP, formed in 1854, was a major force in Reconstruction. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries it opposed corporate consolidation of wealth and advocated for the environment. 8/17

In foreign policy - for decades - strong elements in the GOP counseled against US foreign involvements. On women’s rights, the decision in Roe v Wade was written by and had the support of 5-GOP nominated Justices. 9/17