Though I believe in many old-fashioned conservative values (family, financial rectitude, hard work), I’m also a big fan of compassion and critical reasoning, two qualities this year’s Maine Republican platform lacks.

For example, the platform states that we must have “eternal vigilance” against the government gathering power over the lives of its citizens. Amen, brothers and sisters. However, the same document states that marriage must be between a man and a woman only. Question: How on earth can those vigilant against government intrusion also believe that the government should boss around who gay people marry?

Another example: The platform calls climate change a “myth” and says the nation should achieve energy independence through development of its own gas, oil, coal and nuclear power.

OK, let’s set aside the baffling denial of climate change. What I’d love to know is the game plan for when the oil, gas and coal run out. The document is either astoundingly short-sighted in this regard or its authors believe we’ll all heat our homes with nuclear waste.

Which brings me to health care. The document calls it a service, not a right. This puts the authors at odds with a little memo called The Declaration of Independence in which citizens are guaranteed three rights, one of which is life. How strange to defend a baby in the womb and then demand cash if she wants her heart defect fixed.

Critical-thinking conservatives need to speak up. Their party needs them.

Michael Hayashida, Auburn