Okay, once again I admit that I’m an old man. Maybe that’s a good thing. I remember when Democrats and Republicans did not hate each other; some were actually close friends away from the Capitol. During the State of the Union Address, the opposition party might not wildly applaud every statement made by the president, but they would courteously applaud. There was a comradery between the parties at the end of heated deliberation and eventual compromise.

President Obama has made great strides in repairing the damage done to our nation between 2001 and 2009. In the past, Republicans would have acknowledged those which positively affected the majority of our nation’s people. Today every negative situation in America is the fault of the President or Hillary Clinton. This is not American politics at its finest; it is a travesty.

Attack mode is the only tactic today’s GOP understands.

But they don’t reserve their attacks for the opposition for the other party alone; they vehemently assault each other and use lies and half-truths to damage their targets.

Although Trump continues to lead decisively in the polls, the battle for second place is very close; a virtual tie. This fact has created a division between TEA Party darlings Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio. It’s more than a division, their ambitions have created a vile relationship between the rivals.

Cruz’ latest attack against Rubio is directed at a supposed relationship between the President and Rubio. Why that would be a bad thing, given the fact that Rubio is a United States Senator, and is expected to work across the aisle, I do not understand; but then I am once again remembering the real Republican Party which fails to exist today.

Cruz claims that Rubio actually negotiated with Democrats and the President to accomplish a trade agreement. I don’t know if that’s true; I actually doubt it. But for a GOP candidate to talk to a Democrat is unforgivable to the extremists in today’s GOP.

Cruz team has released a new attack ad; it apparently shows Rubio reaching out to shake the President’s hand, and has the caption: “The Rubio-Obama Trade Pact.”

It continues: “Rubio,” it reads, “cast the deciding vote to fast-track three highly secretive trade deals negotiated by Obama.”

Of course Rubio’s campaign team denies the allegation.

Todd Harris is a Rubio Advisor. He claims that the trade deal in question was approve by Cruz and Rubio originally, but rejected by Cruz during a second vote.

“This is not Marco Rubio,” Mr. Harris said, pointing to the image of Mr. Rubio’s face, which appears to have been somewhat sloppily superimposed over another man’s body.

“This person, we don’t know who this is — they Photoshopped Marco’s face onto this body,” Mr. Harris said.

Frankly I don’t know who is telling the truth, and I don’t care. Both of them are missing the point. They hate America, and completely deny history and the legacy of the Republican Party. They are ambitious men who remain unqualified and are shameful in their efforts to secure their personal goals at the expense of the American people.

The government of the United States cannot work, and our nation cannot return to greatness, without cooperation between the two major parties.

Politicians must deny the influence of special interests and once again serve the American people. Sadly, those on the right wing care little about America and a great deal about themselves.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

Source

Photo Courtesy of Gage Skidmore

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