Years ago I had a business which had many high school students as clients. As they were preparing to enter a college or university, I naturally asked them about their plans for the future. Some had lofty goals, such as becoming a teacher, a medical researcher who would find a cure for cancer, or even a sociologist who would work with troubled children. Of course it was not surprising that about one-half replied “I want to make a lot of money.” My response was simple and disturbing for them. I told them I knew of only two ‘professions’ which would guarantee them wealth without a great deal of effort. I also told them that they would need to ‘sell their soul,’ and remove themselves of all principles or morals.

My first suggestion was to become a television evangelist. The first prerequisite was to perfect their acting abilities. They had to pretend to be devout Christians, although money was their only goal. They would have to display compassion, offer hope, and convince their followers that they had all of the answers, and those answers came through them directly from God.

The second thing they must learn was how to answer their critics who would ask an honest question; how can you justify your wealth, when many of the men and women who would give them money were living in poverty? The answer was simple and always worked. You, and you alone, know the path to eternal happiness, which is all that matters. Our life on earth is only a means to a level of joy and enlightenment which will last through infinity. You will guarantee them a prominent place in heaven.

The second possibility was to become a professional politician. There were several similarities between the two, but there was a single caveat which they must learn quickly. It was wise to choose the Republican Party and not Democrats.

Being a good actor remained critical, but they would also have to learn politi-speak, and never answer a direct question. Many false promises were required during the campaign season, but they could be ignored after they won, and until the next election. The biggest difference between becoming a fake-minister and a Republican politician is that they would be able to commit crimes and sexual indiscretions, and Republican voters would not be concerned.

I used examples of Richad Nixon, and Newt Gingrich during those years, but if it were today, I could add many more. I could add Mark Sanford, the former Governor of South Carolina who lied to his constituents while he was involved in an extramarital affair in South America. It was of no concern; later he was elected to the House by South Carolina’s Republican voters.

Then there was Dennis Hastert, who had sex with teenage boys when he was a wrestling coach at a high school, prior to becoming the Speaker of the House. All Republicans have forgiven him.

During the last year we learned of multiple Republican congressmen who committed acts of sexual harassment or sexual assault. We discovered that Republican congressmen have a ‘slush fund’ intended to pay-off the women and men who filed those allegations; it is paid for by taxpayer dollars.

Finally, not to bore you with the names and crimes of dozens more, we must look at the leader of the Republican Party.

Donald Trump is a perfect example of the type of person Republican voters will accept, simply because they run for office under the Flag of the once Grand Old Party.

Before the 2016 election, the world knew that Trump’s business successes were fraudulent. He proved that he is a racist, a xenophobe, a misogynist, and a homophobe. By his own words, he admitted that he was a sexual predator. Nineteen women accused him of sexual assault. At his rallies Trump promoted hatred and violence. One by one his lies were exposed. But Republican voters did not care. With the help of Vladimir Putin, he received the approval of the Electoral College, but not the majority of American voters. Republican voters were not concerned. They would vote for the worst candidate in history because Hillary Clinton was a woman, and the most qualified and experienced candidate in American history; she was unacceptable.

I do not believe in political parties; there is no logical reason to belong to either party. It serves no purpose. We should and are able to vote for any candidate from any party, so supporting one, and only one party displays the highest level of ignorance possible.

A perfect end to this story. The NRA gun lobby owns the Republican Party. This murderous organization has selected confirmed criminal Oliver North as their next president; Really!

All Americans should be voting for the candidates who are most closely aligned with their beliefs and their principles; to do anything less would be un-American.

Promise yourself that you will vote and vote wisely on November 6^th; thank you.

Op-ed by James Turnage

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Photo courtesy of Gage Skidmore

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