Republicans are required to support their owners. All of their decisions on the most important issues facing America are the result of a consultation with the ultra-rich and the Christian religious right. There is no interest in discussions about the issues, it is mandatory that no compromise occurs in Washington. This is why they are always on the wrong side; why they oppose the will of the American people.

They’re wrong about same-sex marriage. The majority of the American people approve and accept the right of the LGBT community to receive equal treatment under the Constitution. Why does the Republican Party oppose it? One of their owners, the Christian religious right, has re-written the Bible and has demanded that they denounce the law and reject the 14^th amendment.

Republicans are wrong about immigration reform. The people of our nation were pleased with a proposal originated in the Senate in 2013. The vast majority of our citizens approve of a path to citizenship for over 11 million men, women, and children. Why does the right wing oppose it? They’re supporting the greed of their owners. No longer could business pay workers less than minimum wage. In addition they would be forced to contribute to unemployment, health care, social security, and Medicare. Oh, and one more thing; Hispanics are more likely to vote for Democrats.

Women have a Constitutional right to be treated as equals, and they have a right to make decisions about their own bodies. Republicans don’t see it that way. They continue to believe that men should be paid more than women for the same jobs. In support of the Christian religious right, they want to control women’s health. They are so wrong, and they forget that women vote.

When a Republican lives in the White House, there is a far greater chance that our nation will rush into war. After the attacks in Paris and most recently in San Bernardino, the hawks are out and Republicans want to send our soldiers back to the Middle East to die in another unwinnable war. Fourteen years of mistakes are being ignored by the right wing. Why? War is good business. Many Republicans in Washington are heavily invested in the military industrial complex.

Republicans are wrong about raising the minimum wage. Big business has created a situation of income inequality never previously experienced in our nation. Although many of our nation’s people work two or even three jobs to support their families, they continue to move towards the poverty level. It is criminal that Republicans who are supposed to serve the American people live lives of luxury and privilege while those who voted them into office struggle to exist.

Our elected officials have health care and retirement benefits equal to CEOs of major corporations. They are employed by the American people, but they vote against our right to have any form of universal health care, and they want to reduce our social security benefits. Can you understand why millions of Americans hate our government, especially Republicans who continue efforts to repeal social programs?

Finally, they are drastically wrong about changing our gun laws. Their claim regarding violations of the second amendment are egregiously mistaken. They are simply bowing to the NRA gun lobby. Comprehensive background checks for all gun purchases, banning assault rifles and high-output magazines, and insuring that suspected terrorists living in our nation are not allowed to purchase weapons of mass destruction are simply reasonable and have no effect on their precious second amendment. The changes would help in the protection of millions of men, women, and children who have the right to feel safe in their daily lives. Republicans are nothing less than hypocrites.

Why do any members of the working class vote for Republicans? I really can’t completely answer my own question. I am aware that they continue to use fear tactics and emotional warfare to control the weak-minded, but there can’t be that many people who actually fall for this crap; am I wrong?

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

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