The 2010 Republican Platform says that the tea party is reminiscent of the revolt that formed the Republican Party in 1854. The 1854 Republican Party revolt demanded the federal government take action to limit the expansion of slavery, protect civil rights in the states and begin a program of public works by building a central transcontinental railroad and improve the navigation of rivers and harbors.

The 1956 Republican Party was very similar — supporting civil rights, integration, and the Dwight D. Eisenhower national system of interstate and defense highways.

The 2010 Maine Republican Party supports states’ sovereignty, secession, prohibition of government intervention in the economy, and noncooperation with foreign governments and organizations. Jefferson Davis came to Maine in 1858 to speak in support of many of these same principles.

The tea party is reminiscent of the 1948’s Dixiecrat Party revolt. The tea party is the new confederates.

Jonathan Albrecht, Dixfield