Harry Parker, A Humble Farmer from Missouri

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I'll try not to abandon this timeline.

Prelude:

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Harry Parker calls for Richard Nixon to resign from office
July 18, 1973

US Senator Harry Parker (R-Missouri) has called on President Richard Nixon to resign from office during a press conference in his home town of Springfield, Missouri.

"I used to trust the President and think he had America's best interest at heart. But apparently, he doesn't. He puts himself first, and America second. Mr. Nixon, if you're hearing this, please resign from office and let this national nightmare end."

Parker, a moderate Republican and close ally of Nixon, has publicly distanced himself from the President following the investigations into the Watergate break-in and the revelation of a taping system in the White House.

This strong condemnation of the President has proved controversial; some have called Parker traitorous and erratic, while others have defended him for standing up for his belief in honesty and integrity.

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Harry Parker reacts to yesterday's dismissals: "Pathetic"
October 21, 1973

US Senator Harry Parker (R-Missouri), a moderate Republican, has given a press conference in downtown Springfield, Missouri, where he described President Richard Nixon's attempts to fire Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox, which resulted in the resignations of Attorney General Elliot Richardson and Deputy Attorney General William Ruckelshaus, and were ultimately successful, as "pathetic"

"The President's actions in relentlessly trying to fire Archibald Cox were pathetic and obsessive, and an attempt to deal with the consequences of his criminal actions. I used to like him and think he actually stood for America and our values. Now, little of this admiration is left."

The Senator's reversals have been somewhat shocking, as Parker was a staunch ally of Nixon since his 1960 gubernatorial campaign, and was one of the first elected officeholders to publicly endorse the President in 1968. However, some have praised Parker due to his honesty in condemning Nixon's actions.

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Harry Parker praises grand jury's indictments, hopes Nixon is "held accountable"
March 2, 1974

US Senator Harry Parker (R-Missouri), a former ally turned staunch opponent of Richard Nixon, has praised the indictments of several of the president's aides by a grand jury in Washington, D.C

"I congratulate the grand jury in America's capital for indicting seven crooks who conspired with the President to commit a litany of crimes. It's amazing justice was done, and I hope Nixon is held accountable."

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Harry Parker calls Richard Nixon tapes "simply nauseating", defends impeachment
May 2, 1974

Senator for Missouri Harry Parker (R-Missouri) has called for Richard Nixon to be impeached following the release of tapes of Nixon's conversations, which Parker referred to as "simply nauseating" in the US Senate floor.

"The conversations the President had with his aides one year ago were simply nauseating, period, and horribly unpresidential. Knowing what I know now, I would never have trusted this corrupt, Machiavellian man."

Most Senators have called Parker excessively harsh in his criticism of Nixon.

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Harry Parker urges Richard Nixon to resign
May 17, 1974

US Senator Harry Parker (R-Missouri), a staunch opponent of Richard Nixon, has called for the President to resign.

"Mr. President, you have to resign from office as soon as possible due to the gargantuan scandal your administration is involved with. Let America's nightmare end as quickly as possible."

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Harry Parker says he'll vote to impeach Richard Nixon
August 6, 1974

US Senator Harry Parker (R-MO) has announced today he'll vote to impeach Richard Nixon, after the House of Representatives set articles of impeachment against the President.

"The House of Representatives did the right thing today, as they should. When impeachment comes to the Senate, I'll vote to take the madman (Nixon) out of office following his horrible crimes."

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Harry Parker seen rejoicing Nixon resignation
August 9, 1974

US Senator for Missouri Harry Parker, a moderate Republican who faces a battle for reelection this year, was seen in downtown Springfield, Missouri celebrating the resignation of Richard Nixon.

Observers recall seeing the Senator with a large smile in his face, raising his two hands above his head. "He was thriving in happiness" an anonymous inhabitant of Springfield said.

After the release of this headline, Parker said "Good riddance! I hope Gerald Ford governs honestly!" during  press conference.

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Harry Parker promises to write legislation on welfare reform, middle-class tax cuts, offshore drilling
August 10, 1964

Senator for Missouri Harry Parker, who faces a battle for reelection against Democrat Pat O'Brien, has outlined priorities for his second term in the Senate.

"As Governor of our state, I constructed 65 trade schools in rural and suburban areas, created MissouriCare (which inspired Medicare), laid 15 miles of highways, lowered the ridiculous vehicle registration tax, implemented a negative tax for small businesses, and stood for the average citizen of Missouri. I have always stood for my beliefs, including honesty and integrity, and doubt O'Brien could say the same."

Parker was a close ally of Richard Nixon, but became a staunch opponent during Watergate, calling for Nixon's resignation numerous times. O'Brien attacks the Senator for "flip-flopping", a charge Parker denies.

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Fun fact: Medicaid expansion was enacted nationwide in 1973, with the Medicaid Expansion Act being written by Parker.

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Harry Parker reelected to the US Senate
November 6, 1974

US Senator for Missouri Harry Parker, a moderate Republican and early opponent of Richard Nixon, has been reelected to the US Senate in a landslide against Democrat Pat O'Brien.  

With all ballots counted, Parker won 740,466 votes, with O'Brien earning 460,158, 61.42% and 38.17% of the ballots cast, respectively.

Parker's swift condemnation of Richard Nixon's actions during Watergate and popularity among rural voters contributed to Parker's victory, with a significant crossover vote supporting the Senator.

In 1964, Parker was also reelected as Governor of Missouri with 53% of the vote as the state voted for Lyndon Johnson by 29 points. Parker was an opponent of Barry Goldwater, saying "Privatizing the TVA? Making Social Security voluntary? This guy must be jokin' ".

Parker promised to focus "heavily" on legislation during his second term.

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Harry Parker submits bill lowering tax rates on middle class
January 7, 1975

US Senator Harry Parker (R-Missouri) has written a bill lowering income taxes on the middle and working classes.

The law (titled Fair Taxation Act) reduces the lowest bracket to 8%, the second lowest bracket to 12%, and the third lowest bracket to 15%.

"Gas prices are soaring right now, and the federal government is taking the American worker's money for nothing. That's why I wrote this bill."

The FTA has been granted a hearing by Russell B. Long.

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Fair Taxation Act passes the US Senate
January 13, 1975

The Fair Taxation Act, a bill by Senator Harry Parker (R-Missouri) lowering income taxes on the middle and working classes, has passed the US Senate with 59 aye and 40 nay votes.

Among the senators who voted Aye were former Vice President Hubert Humphrey (D-Minnesota), who defended the bill by saying: "The working people are taxed too much right now. Amidst a recession, this legislation will help the American people." And Charles Mathias (R-Maryland), who said of the legislation: "With the federal government taking money from the average American and doing nothing with it, this bill will have a positive effect".

Among the Senators who voted Nay were Ted Kennedy (D-Massachusetts) who said "Lowering taxes during an economic crisis cannot possibly be a good idea. I urge my fellow colleagues to oppose this legislation". Harry F. Byrd Jr (I-Virginia) also excoriated the bill: "Tax rates on high-earners should also be reduced. If the poor become rich, this law will have no effect".

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Harry Parker writes Fracking Act of 1975
January 21, 1975

US Senator Harry Parker (R-Missouri) has just submitted a bill expanding hydraulic fracturing (also known as fracking). Titled the Fracking Act of 1975, the bill provides grants to operations of the procedure and expands tax breaks for companies producing fracking equipment, while banning it up to 10 kilometers near densely populated areas.

The bill will receive a Senate hearing tomorrow, the same day Parker's Fair Taxation Act will be voted on the US House of Representatives.

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Fair Taxation Act passes the US House
January 22, 1975

The Fair Taxation Act, a bill reducing income tax rates on middle and working-class Americans, has just passed the US House of Representatives by a 298-135 margin (two Representatives abstained).

One of the bill's supporters was Speaker of the House Carl Albert (D-Oklahoma), who urged the House to support this legislation, saying: "Millions of Americans are struggling to make ends meet during this oil shock. Lowering taxes on the middle class will recover their purchasing power and reduce the cost of living"

An opponent was Representative John Schmitz (R-California), who criticized the bill as "incomplete": "This legislation has good intentions, but is clearly incomplete. Taxes are too high right now, and should be lowered across the board."

The FTA has been sent to President Gerald Ford's desk, and waits signing.

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Gerald Ford signs bill lowering middle-class taxes
January 24, 1975

President Gerald Ford has signed a bill titled the Fair Taxation Act into law this morning, in a public ceremony in the White House lawn.

The FTA reduces income tax rates for the middle and lower classes: The lowest bracket was reduced to 8%, the second lowest bracket to 12%, and the third lowest bracket to 15%.

The bill was originally written by Senator Harry Parker (R-Missouri), passed the US Senate with 59 votes in favor, and the House of Representatives with 298 votes in favor.

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US Senate passes Fracking Act of 1975

A bill named the Fracking Act of 1975 has passed today in the US Senate by 76-33.

The legislation, written by Senator Harry Parker (R-Missouri), expands grants for companies performing hydraulic fracturing (also known as fracking), and tax breaks for companies producing fracking equipment. To sate enviromentalists, the bill bans fracking near populated areas.

Parker, who originally wrote the bill, defended it by saying: "We need to take any and all steps to achieve energy independence in this country. With gas prices soaring, this legislation is going to help American families"

One of the bill's opponents was Parker's political rival Ted Kennedy, who criticized it by saying: "Freaking needs more research into its effects, and can be harmful to the environment. However, I support reducing our consumption, negotiating peace deals and developing renewable energy"

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I'm getting bored with this timeline.

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I am skipping to the Carter Administration, when things get interesting.

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Harry Parker promises to work with President-Elect Carter
November 27, 1976

Senator Harry Parker (R-Missouri) has announced his intention to work with President-Elect and former Governor of Georgia Jimmy Carter on issues they can both "agree" on.

"Y'know, Jimmy shouldn't have given that interview. But, it's pretty unimportant, and there's plenty of issues we agree on. I hope to work with Mr. Carter on these."

Parker refused to endorse any candidate during the presidential primaries and election, and was one of the very first Republicans to oppose Richard Nixon during the Watergate scandal.

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The Fracking Act of 1975 passed the House with 304 aye votes and was signed by Gerald Ford on February 1, 1975

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Harry Parker proposes Welfare Modernization Act
January 20, 1977

US Senator Harry Parker (R-Missouri) has written a bill titled the Welfare Modernization Act, reforming the welfare system.

The WMA expands the Earned Income and Child Tax Credits while reforming three New Deal-era welfare programs (I cannot think of any – Parker strongly supported social security) to, according to Parker, actually help the poor instead of having them rely on the government.

Parker defended the bill by giving a speech in the Senate floor, saying "These 1930s programs haven't been changed for decades, and we're in 1974. I agree with the federal government helping poor Americans, but we have to be pragmatic"

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Harry Parker says America should not "abandon" Panama Canal
February 24, 1977

US Senator Harry Parker (R-Missouri) has today declared his opposition to negotiations with the intent of giving the Panama Canal to Panama, saying it was "abandonment"

"America built the Panama Canal, an integral part of world trade since its opening. A weak, militarist, communist dictatorship like Panama should NOT be in control of such an important zone – I hope President Carter does the right thing and changes his mind on this issue."

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US Senate passes Welfare Modernization Act by two votes
February 25, 1977

The Welfare Modernization Act, a bill written by Senator Harry Parker (R-MO) which posteriorly received amendments, was passed by the US Senate by a 48-46 margin (six Senate Democrats abstained)

The bill reforms several welfare programs which had been untouched since the New Deal era. It also expands the earned income and child tax credits and pell grants, while slightly raising benefits for Social Security.

A supporter of WMA was Senate Minority Leader Howard Baker, who defended the legislation: "Having several government programs with little change for four decades is a bit embarrassing and has cumbersome effects. This bill is a good solution"

An opponent was William Proxmire (D-Wisconsin), who said it would hurt poor Americans while making the rich richer: "This legislation is going to damage low-income Americans while increasing the wealthy's average income. The increases in benefits are also clearly insufficient"

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Harry Parker says Jimmy Carter's budget proposal is "too liberal."
February 26, 1977

US Senator Harry Parker (R-Missouri), widely thought to a moderate Republican, said the proposed budget by President Jimmy Carter, a Democrat, is "too liberal".

While Parker said the $900 million tax cuts were "acceptable", the Senator said a $50 tax rebate for every American would "hurt the budget" and that he supported expanded credit for small businesses.

"Aight, cutting taxes by nine hundred million dollars is acceptable. But giving a fifty dollar tax rebate for every American is too much, it will hurt the budget, y'know? And I am disappointed the President does not want expanded credit for American and Missourian small businesses"