gop
The GOP Platform Goes Completely off the Rails
Each time the GOP lowered the bar for itself, during John McCain’s presidential campaign, I hoped someone would step up and say, “Enough! We are better than this.” But, once Sarah Palin became a “leader” of the party, I knew the only hope for the party of Lincoln was destruction from the inside. Then, deep and careful introspection and a return to actual conservatism.
Sadly, I was wrong. Not only was Michael Steele fired as RNC Chair, but his suggested reforms, based on actual data, were summarily dismissed. Mitt Romney, who had been a successful, but moderate governor, transformed himself into a bitter, angry man, in order to curry favor from the Koch brothers and others of that ilk.
This year, one of the most bigoted, homophobic, misogynistic and crazy platforms in the GOP’S history was unveiled. As Esquire Magazine detailed, Republican Party Platform: Porn Is A Public Health Threat; Guns Are Not. Wait. WHAT?!!
Yesterday, Secretary Clinton said, “the party of Lincoln has become the party of trump.” Lynsey G. was a little less delicate in her blog post, GOP Platform Names Porn a “Public Health” Crisis. Yes, folks, pornography is a bigger health risk to our Country than poverty, the Flint Michigan water supply or even the Zika virus. Bigger than gun violence.
The clown car of chaos has officially been taken over by Toonces, the Driving Cat, with the GOP leadership’s tacit blessing. By doing nothing, they allowed themselves to sink into a hole of excrement they can no longer escape.
Trump’s GOP is little more than an episode of reality television, complete with undereducated surrogates, carelessly thrown out sensational lies, tabloid-worthy headlines and dangerous rhetoric that appeals to the very worst part of our society.
It is like a Maury Povich audience, on crack, with live ammunition, overdosed on Viagra, gone completely off the rails. Only much much worse.
I am terrified for our country. Terrified. We must vote as if our lives depend on it. Not voting is no longer an option.
The Courage of Thomas McKenzie
Aside Posted on Updated on
I am a Roman Catholic. I am also a proud Democrat. Not voting in the GOP’s Presidential primaries is not a crisis of conscience for me, especially since Pope Francis has spoken out clearly about the history of social justice of my Church. I am, for the first time in many years, able to vote my conscience without betraying my Faith.
Today, I read Thomas McKenzie’s post, This Isn’t Funny Anymore: Why I’m Voting Against Donald Trump. Mr. McKenzie, an Anglican priest, describes how Donald Trump’s candidacy runs afoul to basic Christian teachings. Trump’s entertaining, yet troubling, rise in popularity, has continued to cultivate an ugly, racist, misogynist, intolerant feeling that has permeated our culture.
Sadly, after Mr. McKenzie’s post went viral, he was subjected to exactly the type of bullying, he so eloquently illustrated in his writing. Some of these unsavory characters have resorted to threats of violence, which I hope he has reported to local law enforcement.
Mr. McKenzie’s words touched and moved me. I know several former Republicans, my husband included, who have been deceived and left behind by their political party. They have seen reasonable discourse turned into vitriolic insults at President Obama, Democratic politicians, women, minorities, disabled persons, and anyone who may deem to disagree with them. They have all gone “underground,” have reclassified themselves as “independents,” and are supporting candidates who espouse centrist views. Silently.
Mr. McKenzie, please know that you are not alone. Your strength in speaking truth to power, is what Jesus called all of us to do. You set a humble example that I hope many more of us follow. Christians and non-Christians, must question the motives of Presidential candidates, demand to know exactly what their platforms are, then vote according to what makes our Country great, and that is to continue to BUILD a more perfect union, as our forefathers wanted. We are a work in progress, and TOGETHER we are better. Jesus taught us that.
Reading, Drinking and Dancing with a Chaser of Snark 