Recently, I was nominated chairman of the Freebom County Republican Party. I must confess that I have always been a Republican, mostly because in the early years, my parents were strong Republicans, but then in later years, I understood and agreed with their basic beliefs.

Those basic beliefs are for a limited but strong government that tries to build responsibility in an individual; a government that tries to keep as much of a person’s wealth in his own hands rather than redistributing it to others who may not have earned it; a government that promotes and encourages traditional family values.

Does prayer promote violence, selfishness and mistreatment of others? Of course not, but still today, we are trying to restrict all reference to Christian values. Could this be one of the problems that leads to more crime and violence to others?

I haven’t been a good Republican because I have not been involved. What made me change my mind at my age? Can I complain without getting involved? That is being a hypocrite. What really turned the corner for me is when Minnesota had a close Senate race, when I did not think it should be close at all.

We are on the verge of sending a person to Washington who has not had a residence here for years. He comes from the Hollywood culture, which debases civility and values. He comes from the ultra-left side of politics, which believes government can solve all of our problems. He has one of the most foul mouths using language that we don’t even want in the dictionary, least of all having our children using it. This man uses foul language openly in public. And it is publicly known he has been dishonest in paying his taxes.

Do the Republicans disappoint me and often stumble? Absolutely, but so do I. It is my hope that the Freebom County Republicans will find candidates who will support limited government, believe in values, especially family values, and who will be honorable by setting examples for all of us to follow.

This person must believe that education is very important, but that the education system must be efficient. Our candidate should not cater to every educational whim of the teachers’ union, but keep the child at the center of what is important. It is essential that the candidate be concerned about our environment, but that the action taken to preserve our air and water quality be weighed against what is economically feasible with a balance between the two being definitely established.

He must be fiscally responsible and believe that every generation must pay its own way. Passing huge debts to our children for our entitlements is unacceptable. No one is ever too big to fail, and if we continue to bail out failed institutions, the debt we pass on to our children will be one that will cause our country to fail.

Last, we must have Congressmen and -women who believe in a strong national defense. We live in a dangerous world with nuclear and chemical weapons that can destroy thousands of people. The old adage of Teddy Roosevelt, “Speak softly, but carry a big stick,” has served us well. We must get our house in order, never turning our back on our friends, and then seek to help other struggling countries.

Will I be disappointed in some of the positions taken by my party or those a candidate may take? Sure I will. But in the long run, I believe the Republican philosophy is much stronger than that taken by the opposition party.

Al Arends is the chairman of the Freeborn County Republican Party.