The following is a paraphrased excerpt from a political party’s Presidential Platform. The challenge to you is – name the party in question.
It is the belief of this Party that the current President has failed America. Years of futile war have worn down our once great nation. The civil liberties and constitutional rights of our fellow citizens have been down trodden. Our economy and material welfare are declining. Immediate efforts must be made to end hostilities and restore peace at the earliest practical moment…This administration has directly interfered with recent elections, suppressed the freedom of speech, and has had shameful disregard for the suffering of those who are prisoners of war…The sympathy of this Party is earnestly extended to those members of our armed forces and, upon attaining power, we will bestow on them the care, protection, and regard they have so nobly earned.
So, what do you think? The Libertarian Party? Socialist Workers’ Party? Communist Party?
Think you know the answer?
This Party Platform belongs to the Democratic Party…of 1864! How ironic. I changed the wording to sound contemporary, but the themes of the message remained the same. Incidentally, the Democratic nominee for that year, Gen. George B. McClellan, didn’t hold the opinion of peace at all costs. In his acceptance letter he wrote, ”The reestablishment of the Union, in all its integrity, is and must continue to be the indispensable condition in any settlement. The Union is the one condition of peace. We ask no more.” You can read the original platform here.
