If you listen long enough to Donald Trump or Ted Cruz, you know that they do not believe in my America. Then when I listen to other Republicans who say that they will support the Republican candidate regardless of who it is, I know that the party comes first, and America second. The American people are valued for a single purpose; they want our votes.

Both Trump and Cruz believe in a fascist state. Fascism: “A political system based on a very powerful leader, state control of social and economic life, and extreme pride in country and race, with no expression of political disagreement allowed.” If that’s not the Republican Party’s candidates ‘in a nutshell,’ I don’t know what is.

Not one issue important to the majority of the American people has been discussed. Both of their tax plans would greatly benefit the wealthy, increase the national debt and widen income inequality. They preach patriotism, but do not believe in the principles of our founding fathers. Neither believe in the first or 14^th amendments, and are racist, bigoted, homophobic, and misogynistic.

If someone disagrees with Trump, he has them forcibly removed. If Cruz is questioned, he attacks the character of that person or persons. Cruz has proven by his actions in the Senate that he despises our system of government; he does not believe in deliberation, compromise, and rejects everyone’s opinion with the exception of his own. He led the fight to shut down our government as a freshman senator in 2013.

It is actually fairer to call Trump an ‘autocrat;’ “a ruler with unlimited power, or someone who demands that people completely obey them.” Like Cruz, he rejects all other’s opinions. He would govern from ego and use emotion to control the American people. His knowledge of how to operate a democracy is nil.

Neither Trump nor Cruz believe in equality, freedom of religion, or equal protection under the law. Neither Trump nor Cruz would represent more than 300 million people. Neither Trump nor Cruz understand how government should work in America.

Conservatives seek to alter or eliminate much of our Constitution. Their loyalty to special interests denies the rights of most Americans. The only section of the Bill of Rights they defend is the second amendment, and that is to protect the NRA gun lobby, not the American people.

My America is not a country which exists in fear, or inspires anger and hatred for our fellow man. My America is a literal patchwork of all races, colors and creeds from countries around the world. We were proud that tolerance, compassion, liberty and justice for all were our core beliefs. Respect for each other’s differences made our nation great.

America is not a great nation today. The greatest nations are measured by the quality of life experience for the majority; the United States ranks 14^th.

For more than seven years the Republican Party has sought to force the working class into virtual servitude. It has destroyed a once effective government, and seeks the control of all three branches of government to create a plutocracy.

Through 13 faux-debates, I never heard a single discussion of income inequality, women’s rights, tax reform or education. I heard a lot about ISIS, but not a single viable solution; it was nothing more than bravado. Trump spoke of sending 20,000 troops to Iraq, and Cruz suggested carpet bombing, both of which have been debunked by military officials past and present.

The Republican Party wants to end the American way of life I knew and replace it with fascism.

It’s your choice; it’s your vote.

(By the way, the picture I used is a perfect example of what the once Grand Old Party has become).

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

Photo Courtesy of Fibonacci Blue

Read James Turnage at http://www.amazon.com/By-James-turnage/e/B00LOCJ2Z2