No time for status quo

My dictionary defines a conservative as an “old-line reactionary,” a “middle-of-the-roader” and, among other things, a “champion of the status quo.” For many years, I was pleased and proud to share my party’s definition of ourselves. I am a 95-year-old Republican who has voted for our party’s nominee most of my adult years, but I have watched our country and the world change dramatically in those years. We have terrorists knocking on our door. We are in debt for trillions of dollars. We have thousands of illegal immigrants who enjoy all of the privileges the country offers, and so many more problems that conservative measures will never solve. It is obvious to me that we need to change our conservative outlook and adapt to these dire circumstances, or we will cease to be a viable force in the future of our children, our grandchildren and our party.

This story was originally published April 12, 2016 at 2:08 PM with the headline "No time for status quo."