If I were the most loyal Republican in the land, I would disavow my party. I would become an Independent immediately. There is no way that I could vote for Donald Trump or Ted Cruz. If I did, I would be violating my moral standards, and voting for a failed party instead of someone who could actually lead our nation into the future.

When did the Republican Party; a party I once admired and respected disappear from the American political scene? None of the 2016 GOP candidates believe in the principles and ideals of the great Republicans of the past.

The answer is sadly very obvious. Its roots are in the George W. Bush campaigns. Attacking other Republicans became the norm. In 2000, Bush’s election team spread false rumors about John McCain which eventually won the nomination for “Alfred E. Newman.” Bush was awarded the presidency when a conservative Supreme Court denied the rights of Al Gore and crowned Bush as the leader of the free world. In 2004 his cronies denigrated the war record of an American patriot, and once again made fools of the electorate.

For eight long years our country was forced to accept the deceptive and divisive tactics of the Bush Administration. Fear became the normal way of American life, and hatred for many Americans became acceptable. Lies about WMD’s allowed the invasion of a sovereign nation, and our country moved towards bankruptcy.

When Barrack Obama became our nation’s first black president, Republicans refused to accept the will of the majority of the American people. Immediately after the President’s inauguration, Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell openly stated that his party would do nothing with the exception of guaranteeing that Mr. Obama would be a one-term president. Our government was broken before the President made a single proposal to end the great recession, end two wars we were losing, and reduce unemployment. Racism was alive and well within the GOP.

Move ahead to 2016. For more than seven years the Republican Party has said ‘no’ to any legislation which would be beneficial to the majority of the American people. It has denied the successes of President Obama, falsely claiming that his presidency is a failure. Republican leadership obviously believed that their supporters were stupid. We now know that they are angry; the proof is the success of a non-political candidate who is unqualified to be our nation’s president; Donald Trump.

Trump’s defiance, directed at the Republican establishment, is defensible. From the first debate in August of 2015 it was obvious that its goal was to derail his candidacy. Support of other candidates, not favored by voters, only increased Trump’s popularity. Denial and a refusal to face the facts doomed the GOP.

The “debates” became an embarrassment not only to the Republican Party, but to our nation. Issues were ignored as attacks and vile rhetoric became the standard. The party was in shambles; Trump had revealed the truth; the GOP was composed of racists, bigots, misogynists, and homophobes. In a continued attempt at denial, the establishment doubled down on their attempts to derail Trump. They failed once again.

When the Iowa caucus was held, the leaders saw a glimmer of hope. Thanks to evangelists, Ted Cruz was successful in what they believed was a defeat for Trump. They continued to be in a state of denial. New Hampshire and Super Tuesday cemented Trump’s lead as the party’s front runner. Voters continued to display their anger at the Republican establishment.

Here we are today. The GOP is broken beyond repair as the establishment has reached a new low; they are supporting the man they hate most, and are fully aware would be the second worst president in our nation’s history. Desperation to defeat Trump has forced them into endorsing Cruz for the Republican nomination. Although he has proven to be an outcast for both parties, an extremist, a homophobe, and the ultimate Islamophobe, the GOP would support him if he could defeat Trump.

Is this a level of politics the American people are willing to accept? If it is, I don’t wish to be included. I grew up loving my country for what made it great. I admired Eisenhower. I revered JFK. I voted for Reagan in his first term. I knew that George H.W. Bush loved or country and attempted to be the best president he could be.

The Republican Party today has none of the admirable qualities of Lincoln or Teddy Roosevelt. They are a disgusting group of men and women who value their own ambitions over the needs of the American people.

As an Independent I reject party affiliation. I am ashamed and sad that a once great party is now defunct. The future of our nation cannot be in the hands of radicals and unqualified men who would destroy the America in which I was raised.

Please, I beg of all my fellow patriots; take our country back. We have nothing but our votes to insure that the majority once again rules our previously great nation.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

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