The 80^th Congress which served during Harry Truman’s third and fourth year in office was labeled the ‘do nothing’ Congress. It passed 906 bills. The records are out, and the 112^th Congress passed 283 pieces of legislation; the 113^th 300. It is important to take note that only a few of these were significant. More importantly the Senate passed 153 bills which were introduced by the House; the House passed only 57 which were written in the Senate. The House has a significantly higher percentage of TEA Party extremists.

What does all of this mean? This is why we are forced to endure Donald Trump and Ben Carson. Republican voters are disgusted with those they elected, and want drastic change. The electorate has not been presented with viable candidates who would be effective leaders.

The GOP has no one to blame but itself. For seven years they have refused to deliberate and compromise with the President and Democrats. They chose to dismantle our government. Republicans, Democrats, and Independents are all extremely disappointed in our representatives in Washington.

If voters believe that GOP leader’s ridiculous ideas to deport over 11 million people, wage an open war against all Muslims, and the offering of tax plans which would result in an economy worse than in 2008 are unacceptable, why do they continue to lead in the polls?

When did the Republican Party begin to unravel? Political experts believe it began during the George W. Bush Administration. His own party joined those on the left side of the aisle during his final years denouncing two costly wars, and a $700 billion package to bailout Wall Street bankers.

These actions inspired the birth of the TEA Party with the aid of the Koch brothers and other billionaires. These unqualified and ambitious legislators joined forces and promised never to negotiate their extremist views; their tactic was to simply say ‘no.’ In reality, they destroyed our two-party system, and sought rule by dictatorial means. They created the animosity now directed at President Obama by failing to negotiate and offer compromise to his stimulus package, the bailout of General Motors and Chrysler, and the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Eventually the GOP reached the inevitable; a party divided with little hope of repair.

While Trump and Carson continue to receive support, candidates expected to be in the forefront of the party are fading away. Jeb Bush receives just 5.8 percent, and Rand Paul 2.8 percent in recent polls. Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz are experiencing a surge in their numbers; 12.6 percent for Rubio, and 11.4 percent for Cruz, thanks to the support of Evangelicals and TEA Party supporters. This leaves them well behind Trump who received 35.1 percent, with Ben Carson at 13.9 percent.

Only four of the 14 candidates have federal experience, and only one of them has the qualifications to be our nation’s leader. However, Lindsey Graham has virtually disqualified himself when he told voters, “don’t vote for me if you don’t want to go to war.” Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, and Rand Paul are the other three. None of them have the credentials to allow them to live in the White House. All three are TEA Party darlings, and do not share a single accomplishment for the betterment of our nation in their resumes.

If the GOP candidate is soundly defeated in 2016, expect a major change within the party. It has no effective leadership. Will the party divide into two separate entities? It is highly possible that the Republicans will distance themselves from the extremists in the TEA Party, or Freedom Caucus. This would force the TEA Party to stand on its own.

Will the party of Lincoln return to power and stand for issues important to all Americans, or will it continue to offer nothing which would enhance the future of our nation?

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

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Photo Courtesy of Richard Vetter

Author’s Page http://www.amazon.com/By-James-turnage/e/B00LOCJ2Z2