Donald Trump is not only a danger to the United States of America, he is also endangering the future of the Republican Party. It is completely divided in three ways; Trump supporters; Trump detractors; and extremists who promise to do nothing. But possibly more importantly, Trump is costing the GOP millions of dollars.
Fewer large donations have resulted in a total of $34.5 million in the RNC war chest; only $15 million of that number is usable at present. This is the total for all Republican candidates in all races, and less than half of the amount donated four years ago at this time.
Why Reince Priebus has not been fired, I fail to understand. Along with Mitch McConnell, they have destroyed any credibility the party once had. This is a party some claim is broken; I believe that it is in chaos.
While Trump continues to waste the RNC’s funds, he has taken advantage of the situation for his personal gain. His campaign headquarters are in the Trump Tower. In May, he began receiving funds from the RNC. He immediately raised the rent for his offices five-times higher than when he was funding his own campaign. He has also funneled money to his golf courses and restaurants. Trump refuses to use a less expensive aircraft for his travel. He insists on using his personal, aging 757. The cost of fuel for this “guzzler” is approximately $10,000 per hour.
The “Trump Effect” has further damaged an already fractured party. As his support dwindles, some politicos, including myself, believe that the overall result will be a rebuilding of the GOP in 2017. Hopefully, they will return to the principles of their predecessors and force an end to extremism. If our democracy is to return, it will be the direct result of a reoccurrence of deliberation and compromise.
A lost election could be a gain for those who once believed in the ‘Republican brand.’ In the past it was the party of smaller government and the supporter of individual rights and freedoms. Lobbyists and other special interest groups have moved the party into something it never was throughout its history. The GOP seeks control over individuals, and seeks to deny the rights of millions of Americans. Examples can be seen in the case of abortion, laws to protect the 90 percent of Americans who are not gun owners, and same-sex marriage. The Christian religious right and the NRA gun lobby control Republican legislators.
Trump joins Joseph McCarthy as the two worst representatives of the Republican Party in history. Both men sought personal gain and power at the cost of their party and the American people.
Finally, to inform the reader how desperate the Republican Party has become for funding, Hillary Clinton has raised over $435 million. If money wins elections; “the party’s over.”
Op-Ed
By James Turnage
Photo Courtesy of DonkeyHotey
Follow me on Twitter: @jamesturnagenov
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