Although it’s easy to vilify Donald Trump, it is unnecessary. A vote for any man or woman who campaigns under the label of Republican must be defeated. Groups who support the GOP are enough reason to vote for Democrats. Only greedy and ambitious organizations favor Republicans.

The petroleum industry will destroy our environment if they are allowed to continue their unrestricted drilling in pristine lands and off of our dramatic shores. Because they donate millions of dollars to Republicans, the party has included in its platform proposals to deregulate the industry. Fracking will prove to be the most destructive act by man for the future of our land, water, and air.

The Ku Klux Klan, our nation’s homegrown terrorists, have endorsed Trump. The KKK is a hate-motivated group which has long infested our nation. The Republican Party has failed to denounce their actions for decades. They support Trump for his racism and bigotry.

Lobbyists are lowlifes who represent big business in their efforts to increase profits at the expense of the working class. Every one of them is a disgrace to our political system, but the worst is likely the NRA. The American people have been brainwashed into believing that they are a gun rights advocate; nothing could be further from the truth. The NRA has convinced some of the American people that their second amendment rights are in danger; another blatant lie. They support the Republican Party for the sole purpose of ensuring that gun manufacturers and gun sellers experience increased profits.

Those of you who believe in organized religion will not like my criticism of the next group; but I always tell the truth.

The Christian religious right is a large voting bloc which supports GOP candidates. I have several problems with this organization. First of all, the first amendment to the Constitution forbids the establishment of a single religion for our nation. The majority of our founding fathers were not religious, and believed that they should have no influence over our government. I am one of more than 65 million Americans who refuse to be told what to think and what to believe and shun all organized religion. Religions have been the driving force behind much of the world’s suffering throughout history.

My biggest complaint is that this group is not truly ‘Christian.’ No one can use that label if they refuse to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. They are judgmental and promote hatred and violence against those who challenge their beliefs. Christ forbade his followers to judge one another. He commanded them to love one another without reservation. Issues including abortion rights and same sex marriage would not be in our politics if this self-serving group did not control the votes of Republicans. In direct violation of the Constitution, the GOP has included in its platform the intent to establish Christianity as our nation’ one, true religion.

These and other groups who support Republicans oppose the rights of the many and seek control over our nation’s working people.

If you choose to vote for anyone with an “R” next to his or her name, you are voting against your own future. This is not the party of Lincoln; this is the party of special interests.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

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