In local and state politics, it is often a friendly handshake or timely visit by a smiling candidate to a church, school, or social function that wins over voters. This personal campaigning has often served our communities and country well in the past. It established a simple but meaningful bond between officials and the electorate. It brought the process of democracy home. It lessened the effects of partisan ideology and reassured the voters that they were backing the most accessible (or most visible) candidate- and not a strict party label.

The times have unfortunately changed. No matter the personal charms of the individual candidate, there is an overdue bill on the account of the "Grand Old Party". Someone must be held accountable for the disaster that is our Republican-run federal government and state legislature. The guilt for the assault on the United States Constitution, human rights conventions, international relations, social and economic justice, campaign finance law, open and competent government, and underage Congressional pages (not to mention reason, common sense, and sanity) cannot be avoided by running away from the miserable Bush record- claiming “I’m not that kind of Republican”.

Anyone who campaigns under the Republican banner in this election shares in the blame for foreign and domestic policies that threaten our long term security and our timeless Constitution. They can run but they cannot hide- despite all their scurrying to distance themselves from the label.

In 1973, former Michigan Congressman (later Senator) Donald Riegle had the wise foresight and moral sense to leave the Republican Party in the midst of the Watergate scandal. Yet, that misuse of power by Republican President Richard Nixon was petty compared to the sweeping abuses perpetrated by the current GOP administration. It leaves one to wonder- where is the shame or remorse among today’s Republicans?

In this critical Year of Decision, there is a question citizens should ask of all candidates- Are you a member of the Republican Party? If the answer is yes, they have a lot of explaining to do.