So, who is a RINO?

I hear the term RINO thrown around among Republicans, and I am not sure what it really means. I know the term means “Republican In Name Only.” However, what positions does one have to hold to be a RINO?

Is a RINO someone who holds to the traditions of supporting business, free markets, fiscal conservatism, a strong defense, while defending the Constitution and freedom? It was the GOP that was anti-slavery, voted for the Civil Rights Act, had the last balanced budget not counting a Social Security surplus (Eisenhower), and rebuilt America’s military following Vietnam (which was a big factor in the dissolution of the Soviet Union).

Is a RINO someone who does not support free enterprise, does not support fiscal conservatism, does not support all areas of defense, and does not support the Constitution or the rule of law? If you support free enterprise, you don’t support targeted tariffs and you don’t support limiting who can be in a business. (Note: The GOP-dominated Arkansas Legislature only initially allowed five permits to grow medical marijuana, when there were 70 other applicants who met their standards). If you support fiscal conservatism, you don’t support running trillion-dollar deficits in a “good economy” before the pandemic. If you support a strong defense, you don’t neglect or even hinder the willingness and the ability to fight a pandemic that could (and in some ways did) bring America to its knees. If you support the Constitution and the rule of law, you don’t support attacking the rights of minorities, violating privacy, violating unreasonable search and seizure, nor support overturning an election outside the courtroom.

Who is a RINO is probably in the eyes of the beholder. Maybe it has already happened, but I won’t be surprised when two Republicans start accusing each other of being a RINO. It has long been my opinion that name-calling is the refuge of someone without a strong logical argument. Think about this next time you see someone being accused of being a RINO and take a deep look at the accuser.

WILLIAM BARGER Little Rock