"Are you now or have you ever been…a member of the Democratic Party?”

Richard Wall’s column last Tuesday created visions of Joe McCarthy. Wheeling, West Virginia. 1950. “I have here in my hand a list of 205 names…a list of names made known to the Secretary of State as being members of the Communist Party and who nevertheless are still working and shaping policy in the State Department.”

Richard Wall has in his hand a list of names made known to him by the Secretary of State of people known as being members of the Democratic Party and who nevertheless are still running for office and seeking to become public servants.

McCarthy warned America. “Today we are engaged in a final, all-out battle between communistic atheism and Christianity.  The modern champions of communism have selected this as the time. And, ladies and gentlemen, the chips are down.”

Wall warned Wyoming, in effect, “We in Laramie County are engaged in a final, all-out battle between liberal atheism and conservatism. The modern champions of full-spectrum conservatism and their gods have selected this as the time. The chips are down.” The crusades have begun. All who are now or have ever been members of the Democratic Party must be smitten.

He carefully, though erroneously, traced every ill in the nation to office holders with a “D” behind their names. Like the patriot Paul Revere, he’s riding through the countryside sounding the alarm. “The Democrats are running, the Democrats are running.” And he knows who you are.

If only they’d repented of Barack Obama they might have been saved from the wrath to come. They didn’t and must therefore be repudiated.  

He doesn’t offer Democrats re-education camps as the CROWS do for RINOs and even Mao did for his adversaries. All dreaded-Democrats must go, even those seeking non-partisan offices. The purge, according to Mr. Wall, “particularly means voting against Democrats running without party labels.” He identifies those who seek seats on the city council, the school board, or the community college board as an especially sinister part of the conspiracy. Wall fears they’ll get elected under that non-partisan label hiding a surreptitious goal of springing their Democratic leanings on the public in higher office.

Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Democratic Party? Party membership automatically disqualifies you regardless of your qualifications in Richard Wall’s world.

What about you the voter? Is that how Wyoming people decide elections? We’ll find out Tuesday.

Many of those “outed” as “Democrats” have been endorsed by this newspaper. Several previously served in public office with distinction. All have served the community in a variety of ways. But Wall asks you to punish them because they have chosen to be members of the opposition party. Fidel Castro does the same thing.

Wall’s list could be turned on him and used as a list of who to vote for.

The list includes good, decent, qualified candidates worthy of your consideration; legislative incumbents who have demonstrated ability: Floyd and Ken Esquibel, Mary Throne, James Byrd; successful educator Gary Datus, dedicated first-responder Joe Fender, one-time Peace Corp member Kathleen Petersen, and a youthful, energetic public servant Lee Filer; for county commission consider former school board leader and legislator Jim Applegate, Marguerite Herman who dedicated her life to better government and Kim Cox; city council candidates Robert Aylward with a long history of significant contributions to the community, Jan Nelson-Schroll, a lifetime resident who understands Cheyenne as well as anyone, and Annette Williams. Nate Breen, a candidate for school board who mentored hundreds of students into successful careers and lives; and a new, Misty Heil who wants to provide a new, youthful voice on LCCC’s board.

Voters should be less concerned about the failure of local Democrats to repudiate the president and more concerned about local Republican candidates who haven’t repudiated an extremists like Richard Wall. Send a message. In Wyoming we vote for the best-qualified person, not as instructed by an ill-informed extremist.