Steve Schmidt: “The American people are fed a daily diet of nonsense-talk and lies in the form of what is effectively state media on Fox News and nobody should underestimate the threat posed by a political party where conservatism is now defined by absolute obedience to a leader with autocratic tendencies who fetishizes dictators and autocrats all over the world,” he said.

“Trump didn’t destroy the Republican Party—it’s the cowardice of the Republican leaders, their complicity in all of it, the lack of courage to stand up for what’s right.

“Republican members of Congress are cowed and fearful of Trump and they have abrogated their oaths to defend the Constitution of the United States from Trump’s attacks on the rule of law; on objective truth; his defilement of important institutions; his sundering of the American people; his betrayals of the Atlantic alliance; his racism; and his cruelty. The party has become profoundly corrupt, both financially in the form of men like Scott Pruitt and Jared [Kushner] and Ivanka [Trump], but also intellectually rotten and corrupt.”

Mr. Schmidt was the communications and public relations director for the campaigns of George W. Bush, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and John McCain. Today he renounced his membership in the Republican Party. My question is, why isn’t everyone leaving this Republican Party in name only?

Earlier today Trump said that he would ‘likely’ sign a bill ending his policy of separating parents and children after crossing our southern border. But this is not enough. His fascist agenda must end. White supremacy, Islamophobia, misogyinistic practices, homophobia, and xenophobia must not be a priority for Trump and his hypocritic party and be replaced with a goal to end these unconstitutional practices.

Trump must include Democrats in the legislative process. He must cease his attacks on the legitimate news services in our country and end his open support of the right wing propaganda machine, FOX Noise.

Most of all Trump must support the needs and wishes of the majority, including universal healthcare, free education, sensible gun legislation, fair taxation, and other issues which affect all 320 million Americans. And finally he must choose to learn how to govern effectively, and that includes rejecting the world’s dictators and embracing our most loyal allies.

Not one of Mr. Schmidt’s reasons for leaving the GOP lacks validity. Vote for Democrats in November.

Op-ed by James Turnage

SOURCE

Photo courtesy of Freedom to Marry

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