A very long time ago, being a Republican meant that you believed in smaller government, personal freedoms, and personal responsibility. That’s was the Republican Party of Roosevelt, Eisenhower, Reagan, and George H.W. Bush.
Today’s Republicans are required to adhere to certain requirements; requirements which would have been denounced by real members of the GOP.
First and foremost, the party has priority over all else, including the nation and its people. Winning elections is everything. It matters little if a candidate is immoral, or is totally unqualified; if he or she represents the Republican Party, he or she must have your full support.
Secondly, the only issues of importance are those which effect the party’s owners. There must be no tax increases for the wealthiest Americans, and no regulations which would force business to operate honestly and insure that their employees receive fair wages and benefits. Also important is the Christian religious right; they are the party’s largest voting bloc. If you are not a Christian, you cannot be a Republican.
The third also involves elections, but it is more about how to run a campaign. Lies and fear tactics are important; discussion of the issues and how to solve problems is unnecessary and a waste of campaign funds.
Lastly; science is “bunk.” Climate change by man has not been proven as fact. Evolution is a lie. People choose to be homosexuals; they have a choice.
If you believe in all of these precepts, you are a “new” Republican. Your heroes are Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Bill O’Reilly, Ann Coulter, Sarah Palin, and Dick Cheney.
Limbaugh recently claimed that he was ‘baffled’ about the “theory” of evolution.
“Don’t doubt me on this. A lot of people think that all of us used to be gorillas. And they’re looking for the missing link out there. The evolution crowd. They think we were originally apes. I’ve always — if we were the original apes, then how come Harambe is still an ape, and how come he didn’t become one of us?” Rush Limbaugh.
If this is not absurd enough, think about former presidential candidate and retired Neurosurgeon Ben Carson. He stated that a lot of men become homosexuals in prison; they were not when they began their period of incarceration, and this is proof that homosexuality is a choice.
When I read statements such as these I question the intellect and education of those involved. Science is not speculation. It is not based on lies and efforts to mislead the public. These tactics belong to right wing extremists.
When did Republicans move so far to the right that they lost their collective mind? Government cannot function when extremists control our nation. Moderates are credited with all of the major legislation positively effecting the people of our nation throughout its history. Men with the ability to deliberate and compromise accomplish great things; just saying “no” is destructive.
In November vote for men and women who will be active and work for the future of all Americans, not those who are ambitious and seek election for their own benefit.
Op-Ed
By James Turnage
Photo Courtesy of DonkeyHotey
The Truth With No Restrictions 