Poll after poll shows that Latino opinion closely follows mainstream values, from patriotism, the importance of immigrants learning English quickly, and the need for strong immigration and border control. Latinos resent being singled out as a problem, as some English-only and anti-immigration Republicans do. George W. Bush talked differently and won 49 percent of the Latino vote in Texas. Jeb Bush won 58 percent in Florida.

There are signs that the culture of little boxes is breaking down, partly because of growing tolerance and the high rate of intermarriage. Republicans should take the high ground: Insist that we are one people, not a balkanized set of boxholders and protected classes. Identity politicians say to immigrants and minorities, "You are different. Here is your protective box." Republicans should say, "You are like us. Welcome to the mainstream."

Much disability law and litigation is out of control. Here in New York, most renovations of a bathroom or a kitchen must make the facilities wheelchair-accessible, even if it's a private dwelling with no known wheelchair users anywhere in the family or neighborhood. (The idea is that a wheelchair user might buy the place someday, so owners must spend a small fortune to prepare now. Good news: Owners are not required to remove their high shelves, even though a short person might buy the place in 2025.) Micromanaging people's lives in their own home is supposed to be something Republicans oppose, isn't it?

The obvious corollary to this is that Republicans should be reluctant to legislate views that majorities do not accept. There should be room on Republican tickets for people who have moral objections to abortion but who are unwilling to impose those objections on others. The sheer political fact is that there will be no constitutional amendment banning abortion, and professional politicians must work within that reality. The fight against the abortion culture is a properly a campaign of moral persuasion now, not one of bringing opponents to heel through intimidation or the force of law. Again, take the high ground.