Have Republicans changed, or just their party?

To my friends who still call themselves members of the Republican Party, let me point a few things out.

1. 20 years ago, I heard you applaud the GOP's support for the freedom of choice, the right to self-determination and the human right to control one's destiny. Have you changed? The current Republican Party is controlled by politicians who are openly promoting the cessation of support for Ukraine. Internationally recognized borders have been shattered by Russia. Continued support of the party will only bolster this.

2. 20 years ago, I heard you applaud the GOP's policy of free trade and market-based economic policies. Have you changed? The current Republican Party pursues a policy of tariff-based economic aims, based on flawed economic information. Peter Navarro was Donald Trump's Director of Trade and Manufacturing Policy, and is now a convicted criminal. You obviously have changed since I knew you.

3. 20 years ago, I heard you applaud and promote the GOP's small-government approach to individual's pocket books, education, family-planning and personal rights. Have you changed? The GOP is now banning books, pushing “Judeo-Christian" values on a multicultural society, openly banning a woman's right to choose and condemning individual's sexual preferences. Sounds like the opposite of small government to me.

Have you changed? Or are you a member of a political party that has changed?

Peter Wendler

Cedar Rapids