The Republican Party was formed by Whigs, Democrats and other politicians who broke free from their party affiliation, and was defined by the North; anti-slavery, for industry and big business and for civil rights.

The founders of the GOP were Fremont and later Lincoln. The driving issue was the settlement of frontier. They favored the homestead model to the plantation model. The homestead model created hundreds of thousands of small farms. The plantation model sought the creation of a small number of large ranches.

You are correct that the GoP establishment gave in to big business.

I agree completely that the Republican Party is killing itself by selling out to the establishment.

!BEER