The early Republican Party was established at the time of Thomas Jefferson to battle the imposition of a monarchy; yet our current state party leaders seem intent on concentrating power in the hands of a few "true" Republicans.

Today's parties have a long history, with platforms and positions changing over time. Much has been made in several races this year about the importance of party loyalty. It seems that is the reverse of the ideal of the past. The party should serve the citizens, not the citizens serve the party.

Depending on current issues and situations, I have changed parties to pursue my political beliefs. When the Republican Party represented the fiscally conservative approach to government, that was my party of choice. When the Democratic Party stood up for the underdogs in our society, that was my party of choice. Unfortunately, in today's political atmosphere, the chant of party loyalty has taken hold. Devotion to party has become more important to some than devotion to core values or a commitment to country and community.

While I am currently registered as a Republican, I sense a change coming as the Republicans seem more concerned about solidifying power than serving the citizens.

Parties and governments are a creation of our society to serve the needs of the people. Today, some politicians seem to expect the citizens to serve the party above all else. To speak against the party or its leaders has become the equivalent of treason against country. It is time to turn the tide and return to the time when a party was an organization for like-minded people to band together for a common end.

Today, people are expected to turn to the party to be told what they should believe and how to think, blindly supporting the positions of the anointed few. I choose to think for myself and to adjust my thinking to current problems in our society and proposed solutions, wherever they may come from.

For right now, I choose to remain a Republican. The time may be coming when I will lose the fight to bring moderation and tolerance to that party and will choose to look elsewhere.

Rather than change my views to those of a party platform, I will first look to speak for my views within that party. If that fails, I will begin the search for a platform and a party that fits my beliefs.

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* PATRICK RILEY has served as a state delegate in both the Republican and Democratic parties. He lives in Centerville.