As the Republican convention begins today, much of what will be said is already known. The speakers will continue to lie and claim that the problems within our government are the fault of President Obama’s failed administration. The truth is that history will reveal that Mr. Obama performed brilliantly considering what he had to work with.
Let’s expose the Republican leadership, or lack of, over the last eight years. This will explain how our nation arrived at the most disgraceful presidential election in our nation’s history. I will also include the dumbing down of our media, and how legitimate news networks followed the example of FOX Noise to grow ratings.
The travesty which is now American politics began in 2008. At that time, John McCain was still a respected Senator from Arizona. His young challenger possessed enormous charisma, and eloquent speech. His popularity began to grow around the world.
McCain’s goal of winning what would be his final presidential campaign was in danger. In desperation he selected the Governor of Alaska to be his running mate. She had no experience, and no knowledge of how Washington worked. Sarah Palin’s “cutesy” speeches attracted some Republican loyalists, but offended others. Soon she was exposed for her lack of intellect and her hateful rhetoric. McCain’s gamble cost him dearly. Barrack Obama became our nation’s 44th president.
Immediately after his inauguration, Republican leadership displayed their racism, and refused to perform the jobs for which they were elected. The fracturing of our government and our nation had begun.
Mitch McConnell, then the Minority Leader of the Senate, openly stated that his party would do nothing for the next four years. They had but a single goal; prevent President Obama from receiving a second term. And nothing they did.
In 2010 the TEA Party entered the picture. Unqualified candidates, whose elections were paid for by the Koch brothers, came to Washington with a single goal; destroy our nation’s democracy by dismantling our political system. Although small in number, their obstructionism was not challenged by John Boehner in the House of Representatives. They took control of the GOP.
The TEA Party was not only instrumental in fracturing our government, they began to dismantle the Republican Party. Rifts within the GOP grew into a broken party where many refused to have dialogue with other legislators, and shunned Democrats entirely.
The plans of the Republican Party became evident; stop President Obama from achieving any of his goals, and undo any of his accomplishments, in addition to preventing his reelection.
With the exception of the beginnings of universal healthcare, which Republican members of the House attempted to repeal over 50 times, nothing of importance was accomplished thanks to the party of ‘no.’
American voters were becoming angry. Uninformed Americans, and those who listened to FOX Noise or Rush Limbaugh, blamed both parties for their governments failures. Congress’ favorability rating dropped below 10 percent.
President Obama was elected to a second term in 2012. Although Mr. Obama made overtures to Republican leadership in an attempt to repair the government, they refused and their obstructionism grew.
Then the worst happened; the midterms of 2014 gave control of both houses of Congress to Republicans. Although Mitch McConnell and John Boehner stood before a press conference and claimed that ‘now government would get to work,’ Congress accomplished even less.
The anger of the American voter grew. The media refused to offer the truth about what was happening in Washington, and Republicans were allowed to continue their destructive action without condemnation from the press, radio, or television.
Republican National Committee Chairman, Reince Priebus, himself a tool of the Koch brothers, promised change within the party; change which would add more demographics to the party faithful. He lied.
Throughout all of President Obama’s years in office, Republicans failed to do anything with the exception of lie about his accomplishments. In addition, knowing that Hillary Clinton would seek the presidency in 2016, Republicans began to attack her incessantly, while wasting time and taxpayer money.
Politicians displayed the fact that they believed the American people were ignorant. They underestimated the growing anger aimed at Congress and the President.
The Republican establishment had been in the process of creating “Trumpenstein” since 2009. When the 2016 campaign season began in March of 2015 with the declaration of Ted Cruz, the earliest in history, voters were not impressed. When real estate investor and failed businessman Donald Trump declared his candidacy, it was accepted as nothing more than a publicity stunt. As his poll numbers among Republican Voters grew, Republican leadership began to panic.
The fact that the voting public was rebelling against the Republican establishment was proven after the first “debate” in August of 2015. There was no debate. It was obvious to everyone but the media that FOX Noise and Republican leadership had conspired to derail Donald Trump’s campaign. Personal attacks replaced any discussion of the issues. Much to the dismay of leadership, the day after the “debate” saw Trump’s numbers grow.
There would be 12 more “debates,” all a virtual repeat of the first with the exception of the final gathering of the candidates who remained in late 2015. Civility returned.
The primaries began in February. As expected, Ted Cruz won the Iowa Caucuses, thanks to evangelicals. After that event, Trump began to accumulate a far greater number of delegates than any of the other 16 passengers in the clown car.
Now the Republican establishment was in a state of panic. They supported Marco Rubio, but when he lost to Trump in his home state of Florida by 20 points, he was forced to suspend his campaign. Next in line was Ted Cruz. He was soundly defeated, and “Trumpenstein” became the presumptive nominee.
Throughout the campaign season, political “experts” were stumped to explain how an unqualified racist and bigot had won the Republican nomination. Most promised their viewers that he would eventually lose; they were very wrong.
And here we are today; the first day of the GOP convention. Most notable Republicans are not attending, forcing Trump to beg for supporters who would take the microphone and praise his “virtues?”
Among those scheduled to speak are family members, members of the cast of “Duck Dynasty,” “Chachi” from “Happy Days,” a cage-fighting champion, survivors of the Benghazi attack, (of course), and two Republican failures and philanderers, Rudy Giuliani and Newt Gingrich.
The most frightening truth is that United States politics will never return to normal. Since 2000 Republicans have based their campaigns on fear, hatred and attacks; issues have been ignored.
The success of Donald Trump has revealed that the Republican Party has been destroyed, and will likely split into at least two factions after the election. The party has done this to themselves, but they fail to admit the truth.
Trump is a manifestation of the anger of Republican voters, and no more. No one could convince me that his supporters believe that he would make an adequate president.
At no other time in history all of our nation’s people must be begging: “God Bless America.” We desperately need all the help we can get.
Op-Ed
By James Turnage
The Truth With No Restrictions 