Matthew Haile, a 17-year-old for all Republicans

Thank you, Matthew Haile, for a 'maturity beyond your years” column that needs to be permanently seared into the minds of so many of your political teammates. ('I'm 17 and Republican. Let me explain,” Dec. 2)

You are a 17-year-old 'lifelong” Republican, and I am a white male, 72 and a lifelong Democrat … both considered minorities in our demographic.

I read your column with much interest, and encourage you to never let go of what I think Bush 43 Republicans originally coined as Compassionate Conservatism. Your support of choice, fundamental human rights, gun control, Black Lives Matter and truly compassionate immigration policies tells me so much about who you are and how conflicting this must be.

If I may, let me also encourage you to keep an open mind about where your heart and your intelligence may take you. If you find that the Trump and tea party scales continue to tip away from your conscience, we have lots of spots for bright, caring and economically aware young people.

Thank you again for the strength to swim upstream against the current political climate. I sincerely hope many of the older folks in your party see your column and at least pause, think, and think again.

Ted Wernimont

Coralville