The Republican Convention begins today in Cleveland, Ohio. Those who will attend are celebrating, and I’m not sure why? Most true Republicans have declined to speak or even attend the convention. Speakers will include such notable personalities as the cast of ‘Duck Dynasty,’ Scott Baio, better known as ‘Chachi’ from “Happy Days,” and the Trump family, always a hoot.
Most of those asked to speak have declined. The only “Republicans” who will speak are disrespected individuals such as Newt Gingrich and Rudy Giuliani.
What are they celebrating? It can’t be the nomination of the most unqualified candidate in our nation’s history. They cannot be happy that Donald Trump represents them with racism, bigotry, and misogyny. His chosen running mate, Mike Pence, is a homophobe and a religious extremist who admits that his priorities, in order, are his religion, conservatism, the Republican Party, and finally the United States of America.
The once Grand Old Party has nothing which offers them a chance to be proud of their leaders or their beliefs. This is Trump’s convention, and will reflect his personality and lack of dignity and class.
As an observer, I can only hope that the anti-Trump forces among the expected 50,000 attendees will be loud and volatile. Will Trump incite violence against them as he did during his rallies?
The Secret Service voided a petition by more than 50,000 Republicans to openly carry guns inside of Quicken Loans Arena. However, outside of the convention, there will be guns. Ohio has an open carry law, and with the exception of the area immediately adjacent to the arena, guns will be allowed.
Expectations of violence have resulted in hundreds of law enforcement officers from other cities and states arriving to support 500 from the Cleveland Police Department. There will be few ‘supporters’ outside; the level of anger will grow as the convention continues.
Efforts by Republican leadership to unite the party behind Trump have failed miserably. Conventions offer an opportunity for candidates to tell the American people what they plan to do for them. It is not very likely that this will be the case in Cleveland. All that will be heard by the American people are attacks aimed at President Obama and Hillary Clinton.
Trump has no solutions and fails to recognize the issues most important to the people of our nation. He has ignored income inequality, education, women’s rights, and increasing gun violence within our nation. For Trump, these are not problems.
As an Independent I often vote for Republican candidates when I believe they are the best choice for me and my country. I am ashamed of what will be seen this week. This is not the Republican Party which worked for individual freedoms and found compromise with their Democratic counterparts for the betterment of all Americans.
I cannot celebrate this convention which will only unveil the worst of America and the dregs of the Republican Party.
Op-Ed
By James Turnage
The Truth With No Restrictions 