For decades the GOP has been considered the party of older, white, rich men. It has refused to change as our nation’s people are evolving. The United States is slower than most developed nations, but our young people are forcing the entire country to reconsider its views on multiple issues. Women compose 51 percent of the population. The GOP doesn’t appear to notice that not only do they outnumber men, they are voting. Single women are more politically active each year. More women than men are receiving diplomas from a university, and forgo marriage until their late 20’s or early 30’s if at all.

The stigma once attached to homosexuals is diminishing. Prejudice and bigotry are rampant in the south and a few other states, but the overall situation is improving. Oh, by the way my conservative friends, they vote.

The demographics of America are changing, and quickly.  Non-Hispanic whites make up 63 percent of the U.S.; Hispanics, 17 percent; blacks, 12.3 percent; Asians, 5 percent; and multiracial Americans, 2.4 percent. Before 2050, indicators reveal that the population of Caucasians will drop below 50 percent.

America’s views on religion have changed radically. The Pew Research Center discovered changes in all categories, but the most revealing was that young Americans are choosing not to become Christians, and many have decided to remove religion from their lives. This fact is among all demographics.

Between 2007 and 2014, the number of Catholics and Protestants dropped from 78.4 percent to 70.6. Unaffiliated Christians rose from 16.1 percent to 22.8 percent. Those who follow non-Christian faiths rose from 4.7 percent to 5.9. The Christian religious right is losing its influence.

After the 2012 election, Reince Priebus, Chairman of the RNC, stated that the GOP must reach out to a much wider constituency. Here in 2015, they are moving deeper into a very limited base. The GOP has no leadership, and all 14 presidential candidates offer more of the same with no new ideas to offer. To increase the woes of conservatives, an openly bigoted, racist, and totally unqualified candidate continues to lead in the polls.

I will have to give credit where credit is due. Reince Priebus and FOX Noise attempted to derail Donald Trump in the first GOP debate. It not only failed, it resulted in a spike in Trump’s numbers. Not a single vital issue was discussed thanks to extremely unqualified moderators who pretended to be journalists.

There are multiple factors why the GOP is imploding. There has not been effective leadership in the party for a decade. It has failed to move into the 21^st century and professes ideas from the mid-twentieth. In addition the destructive force of the TEA Party, or Freedom Caucus cannot be over-emphasized. Refusing to compromise and say ‘no’ to all proposals other than those most extreme does not work for the American people or its government.

The American people are changing. They want to hear progressive ideas, not regressive. They demand leaders, not followers of past failed policies. It is very likely that 2016 will experience a large voter turnout, at least by Democrats. This is not good news for the GOP which is divided, and may experience a lethargic electorate.

America needs a three party system, but we fail to have two today. Empty rhetoric will no longer win elections. Mythical economic plans, unreal positions on immigration and LGBT rights will not convince the average voter to elect a member of the TEA Party or a true Republican.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

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