A recent editorial to the AJC prompts this question.

 Atlanta Journal 2/25/10--"Readers Write"
http://www.ajc.com/opinion/readers-write-02-25-327248.html

 
POLITICS--This Republican says president is a moderate

 
I am a Republican elected official, but I cannot stomach the growing criticism of the president. It is disturbing that many in the Tea Party movement and the Republican Party seem to question his commitment and patriotism in a time of war and economic crisis. This president has governed from the middle, not the left.

 
We still have troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is committed to supporting them, even if it takes more money and time to do it. His policy seems to be the same as the Republican before him, right or wrong.

 
On health care, he did not advocate for what would have been, and still is, the liberal solution: single-payer insurance. He has instead stated repeatedly that he wants bipartisanship. He has generally shown that he means it through his actions. He has instead advocated relatively minor increases for wealthy people.

 
You can agree or disagree with him, but he is no socialist.

 
Jack Bernard, Commissioner, Jasper County Board of Commissioners

 Other editorials and opinions sent to various papers by Republican Jack Bernard

 
Forum: How the GOP will lose on health care

By Jack Bernard  |  Athens Banner-Herald  |  Story updated at 9:16 pm on 9/15/2009

http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/091609/opi_493544843.shtml#mdw-comments

Originally published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Wednesday, September 16, 2009

 
“The American public will again say that major reform is needed, and that the Democrats are the only party with any viable ideas, and that we should be more radical in approaching the issue.”   (Read entire article at link above)

 
Jack Bernard: Selfish people block health reform

http://onlineathens.com/stories/091809/let_494284993.shtml#mdw-comments

Originally published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Friday, September 18, 2009

 
“Yes, selfish. That is the only way to describe the current resistance to reforms, especially among our seniors. At a recent meeting on health care reform, I sat with my congressman and a very vocal elderly man who was a retired vet. This man said national health care insurance was unconstitutional and violated the "right to free commerce" (his words, not mine). He went on to say government could not operate anything effectively and therefore could not run health care. He also stated he did not object to the truly needy getting health care so long as it did not affect his Medicare or his taxes.  This veteran served his country. At some point he was a patriot. But is he now?”  (Read entire article at link above)

 Jack Bernard: Beware health-industrial complex

http://www.pnhp.org/news/2009/august/beware-health-industrial-complex

Opinion - Voices
Ledger-Inquirer (Columbus, Ga.)
Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009

 
“I am a Republican, former chairman of the Republican Party in Jasper County, Ga., and chair of that county commission. Under our two-party system, it is easy to see why we Republicans oppose Democratic Party reform proposals. We are the opposition party and do not want them to get the political credit for solving a nasty problem.”  (Read entire article at link above)

 Or do we have a RINO -Republican in Name Only?