Two philosophies cherished most by Republicans are free trade and getting the government off the backs of business. One might say these are the two most important cornerstones of the Republican Party. And now along comes Donald Trump intervening in a business decision by Carrier and threatening U.S. manufacturers with sanctions if they leave the country. 

I have a mental image of Mr. Trump riding piggyback on U.S. businesses and hitting them with a sanctions whip. My gosh, even Sarah Palin objected to Mr. Trump’s intervention! Sad!

JEFFREY R. HOLST
Murrysville

First Published: December 7, 2016, 5:00 a.m.