Eisenhower Republican Party vs. Today’s Tea Party Republicans

Bernie SandersVerified account ‏@SenSanders

From the page: "The Eisenhower Republican Party vs. Today's Tea Party Republicans:

• In 1956, the Republican Party boasted that under Eisenhower the Federal minimum wage has been raised for more than 2 million workers. Today, the Texas Republican Party wants to repeal the minimum wage."

• In 1956, the Republican Party promised to "extend the protection of the Federal minimum wage laws to as many more workers as is possible and practicable."  Today, the lead Republican in the Senate on labor issues wants to abolish the minimum wage.

• In 1956, the Republican Party proudly stated that under Eisenhower "Social Security has been extended to an additional 10 million workers and the benefits raised for 6 1/2 million."  Today, the Texas Republican Party wants to abolish Social Security.

• In 1956, the Republican Party platform pledged that it would work to "assure equal pay for equal work regardless of Sex."  Last year, every Republican in the Senate voted against the Paycheck Fairness Act to assure equal pay for equal work.

• In 1956, the Republican Party boasted that under Eisenhower "the protection of unemployment insurance has been brought to 4 million additional workers."  Today, the Republican Party wants to end unemployment benefits for hundreds of thousands of Americans who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.

• In 1956, the Republican Party  was proud that under Eisenhower, "unions have grown in strength and responsibility, and have increased their membership by 2 million."  Today, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said that abolishing the National Labor Relations Board, the federal agency in charge of protecting the rights of workers, would be considered "progress."

• In 1956, the Republican Party said "the protection of the right of workers to organize into unions and to bargain collectively is the firm and permanent policy of the Eisenhower Administration."  Today, Republican Governors and legislators have undermined collective bargaining rights in Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio and other states.

• In 1956, the Republican Party pledged to "maintain and continue the vigorous administration of the Federal prevailing minimum wage law for public supply contracts."  Today, the Republican Party wants to repeal prevailing wage laws and significantly cut the pay of millions of workers.

• In 1956, the Republican Party platform stated "Republican action created the Department of Health, Education and Welfare as the first new Federal department in 40 years."  Today, the Texas Republican Party wants to abolish the U.S. Department of Education.