Climate change will be a serious and growing problem as long as the fossil fuel industry controls the Republican Party. You will continue to pay prices which are ten-times higher than in Canada for prescription drugs because big pharma controls the Republican Party. Healthcare will continue to be more expensive in America than in any other nation as long as Insurance companies and for-profit hospitals control the Republican Party. Gun manufacturers and gun sellers will continue to experience huge profits at the expense of innocent lives as long as they continue to control the Republican Party. Fewer young men and women from low-income families will be able to obtain higher education at for profit colleges and universities as long as these institutions continue to control the Republican Party. Finally, women will continue to be second-class citizens as long as old, white men control the Republican Party.

The title of this article is based on a line in a Brad Pitt movie. It’s all too true. Today the men and women who call themselves “Republicans” are not. They fail to serve the American people, fight against equal rights for all, seek greater government control over the private lives of our citizens, while bowing to the demands of special interests. For the GOP it’s all about the money; profit before people.

Why do I constantly claim that our government is dysfunctional? Because it is. The right-wing is incapable of governing because they choose not to. They seek public office to pad their bank accounts, and enjoy lives of luxury, privilege, and power. They have no interest in doing the right thing for the American people. If you doubt my claims, read the next paragraph.

Since January 3, 2017 the House of Representatives has passed over 100 bills which would have positively affected the majority of the American People. The Senate remains in control of Mitch McConnell and his Republican cowards. McConnell has refused to bring a single House bill to a vote on the Senate floor. Just yesterday McConnell blocked two bills which would help secure future elections; something every real American supports after the disaster in 2016.

So, on November 3, 2020 you decide what you want our country to be like in the future. If you believe that only the wealthy should enjoy what it means to be an American; if you are willing to surrender your rights and freedoms and live under a fascist regime; if you oppose equal protection under the law for women, minorities, the LGBTQ community, and for members of all religions, then you will vote for Republicans.

Republicans and their propaganda machine are desperately attempting to discredit “the squad.” Why? They believe that people should come before profit, they support the entire Constitution, and they are willing to fight for the issues most important to all Americans including halting the negative affects of climate change, affordable or free education, universal healthcare, fair taxation, sensible gun laws, and saving our nation’s environment.

Your choice; it’s your country. It does not belong to our elected officials. Their duty is to serve the needs and wishes of America’s people; not just one percent of our nation’s wealthiest men and women.

“The Truth Lives Here.” Tell everyone about my blog.

Op-ed by James Turnage

My seventh novel, “DOING THE RIGHT THING FOR GOD AND COUNTRY,” is now available on Amazon’s free Kindle app; CLICK HERE