human weaknesses have remained the same. Everyone, Democrats and

human weaknesses have remained the same. Everyone, Democrats and Republicans too, is willing to benefit from the increased knowledge of the material world; even if not as specific or concrete, why should anyone be unwilling to use the similar understanding of human nature?

While both parties seem ambivalent about this at times, Democrats are readier to ignore the lessons of the past, readier to jump into some unproven, always expensive, nostrum. Name one? Think of the situation in Nicaragua: the Contras were abandoned by the United States at House Speaker James Wright’s (DTexas) insistence, only to see the Sandinistas, i.e., Communists, forget their promised democratization once the pressure was removed. Any student of Marxism-Leninism could have predicted it.

The reader may well ask: What does all this have to do with November’s election? A fair question deserves a response: leaders’ underlying beliefs and understanding of the causes of recent events inevitably determine whether their solutions for current problems are to have a reasonable chance of success.

Neither American major party is perfect, but I am certain that the Republican comes closer to an understanding of America’s current needs and how they can best be met. Think about it; read the Party Platforms; listen to the speeches and debates; make up your minds after considering what all these tell you.

Election Day 1988 approaches. Republicans stand for political and economic freedoms, exercised with responsibility, and recognize that a sound country demands a healthy society. Armed with these beliefs and an understanding of history’s lessons, Republican candidates deserve your support. Please give it to them.

John Marocchi is a retired Navy admiral and former chairman of the Rappahannock County Republican Committee. He is a longtime Republican activist.