The Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Reince Priebus, stated in an interview that if the GOP does not win the 2016 election, it may fade away for many years. He may be correct; the party is in flux and it has leadership in name only. It has allowed the extremists to control the majority, and the result has been not only the demise of the GOP, but also to the destruction of our government. Whether they call themselves the ‘TEA Party,’ or the ‘Freedom Caucus,’ they are unqualified and uneducated men and women whose entire focus is the destruction of the American way of life for everyone but the wealthy.

As an Independent, I would love nothing more than to see the GOP become great again. I have had the right to vote for 48 years, and for most of those years I had the privilege of choosing the best candidate for either major party, and occasionally from a third party. That situation doesn’t exist today. I cannot vote for a party which would destroy the advancements made for the working class over a 60 year period. I cannot vote for a member of a party which is racist, bigoted, misogynistic and homophobic. I cannot vote for anyone who would destroy the Constitutional rights of others.

So, how can it be fixed? How can the GOP become true Republicans once again? It’s not as complicated as one might think.

The very first thing the GOP must do is take the action they vowed to back in 2012. They must court voters other than rich, white families. Priebus talked about ‘finding a way to appeal to Hispanic and women voters’ after the debacle which was the last general election. If there has been any change, it has moved in the opposite direction. The party’s leader, Donald Trump, has proven that the GOP is even more racist and misogynistic than they were three years ago.

Secondly, voters must elect Republican candidates who are not extremists. The focus for both parties must be the working class and not special interests. A more centrist GOP would result in deliberation, compromise and a much better and far more effective government.

Lastly, Rush Limbaugh, Laura Ingram, and the entire freak show which is FOX Noise must cease to be recognized by true Republicans as journalists. Propaganda is not truth. Propaganda is composed of lies which are intended to evoke emotion; and the former continue to secure votes through fear, anger, distrust and even hatred. They control voters and maneuver them into casting their ballots for unqualified and extremist candidates. They have divided our nation and created the disastrous situation of ‘red and blue’ states.

If John Boehner does resign, the man or woman elected as the new Speaker of the House will foretell the future of the GOP. Will it bow to less than 40 men and women who would lead our country in a backwards direction; will it bow to the billionaires who created the TEA Party?

For my sake, and for all of the American people, please bring back the Republican Party; we need them. A ‘no’ party is not working.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

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Photo Courtesy of Jane Wyman