Times change.
Since 1875, the term “Grand Old Party” has been a traditional nickname for the Republican Party, and the abbreviation “GOP” is a commonly used. The acronym still fits, but in keeping with the times, and a more apt description, the first word has been changed to “Grotesque,” by my Executive Order, effective immediately. This will be corrected in all history textbooks. Any website not accurately referring to the Grotesque Old Party will be shut down. Any citizen who fails to use this new term will be fired immediately based on performance. If any other country fails to adhere to this new title, we will invade them and rename them Grotesqueland.
Furthermore, the GOP’s symbol of the elephant, has been replaced by the Cowardly Lion. The same consequences apply to those who do not abide.
Changes in Latitudes
In 1854, the Republican Party was founded by forces opposed to the expansion of slavery. This is the party of Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Ronald Reagan. It is also the party of Warren G. Harding (The Teapot Dome scandal) and Richard Nixon (The Watergate scandal). To be fair, both parties have heroes and scandals in their past. We can’t change the past. Let’s fast forward.
I voted for Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush. I also voted for Barak Obama and Joe Biden. You may wonder why I changed. I didn’t change. The GOP has changed. I am a moderate. The GOP used to be more moderate. While I used to be a registered Republican, I have been a registered Democrat for a number of years now. I do not blindly vote party lines, but there would need to be some massive changes in the GOP before I could vote that way in good conscience again.
Intermission
A quick word and editorial note from our sponsors, er, me. I have tried to be careful and clear in all of my columns to denounce Trump and Trump supporters, but not registered Republicans. I personally know many registered Republicans who have never voted for Trump. In some ways they have become like the man without a country. I also find value in different political parties challenging us to think. I would actually prefer we had five viable parties where the best among them would rise to the top. But that is another column, maybe one that one of my registered Republicans can write. So, my Democrat friends, please do not bash me for not bashing them. I won’t do it. Feel free to write that column yourself. Back to our regularly scheduled program.
Changes in Attitudes
Growing up, my parents were Republicans, so us kids were Republicans. That’s just sort of how life worked. As us kids grew up, at all different paces and times, one of use became an independent, another a liberal but without party affiliation, and the other three of us became Democrats. At some point my Mom also became a Democrat. My Dad continued to listen to Rush Limbaugh for a bit longer, but he too switched over, in fact, because of Trump. None of us have ever voted for him. I was proud to see over time, that we all switched to being Democrats. Each of us applied critical thinking. People who never changes their minds, nor can ever find both qualities of good and bad in others, are not critical thinkers.
So, here is the Republican party I remember, simply in my views, not hashing out excruciating detail. The party I remembered was kind. I was so proud when I hear George H.W. Bush say, “I have spoken of a thousand points of light, of all the community organizations that are spread like stars throughout the Nation, doing good.” The Republican party used to embody family values and religious faith. Families have changed, but I do not see the GOP changing with them. More women are working, more blended families, more families with LGBTQI+ members. They are still families. They/we still have values and value. But the GOP no longer embodies all families. Just the ones that fit their mold. And here’s the thing about faith. My memories were quaint. Go to church. Potluck supper. A sermon that makes you feel good. The men and women I looked up to in the Republican party seemed to have a kindness to all of that. But then they went extreme and became hypocrites. It’s a complicated evolution, but a simplification is that they went from a New Testament view of kindness and forgiving to an Old Testament mentality of sacrificing lambs and goats. That’s the wrong direction. And few of them live up to what they profess. Church does not grant you a moral higher ground. I have friends who are agnostic and atheist who have unquestionable high moral character. For those of you in the GOP who claim to be religious, act like it. Follow the simple path – What Would Jesus Do. He would not do to the country what you all are doing. You know that in your hearts.
Republicans used to believe in a balanced budget. However, through the end of the federal fiscal year 2024, Republican presidents added about $1.4 trillion per four-year term, compared to $1.2 trillion added by Democrats. During Trump’s first term, he increased the deficit from $5.6 Trillion to $7.1 Trillion. While neither party can boast, this is clearly no longer a calling card benefit of the GOP.
Education? President George W. Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. The act received bi-partisan support in Congress, as it reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and included Title I provisions applying to disadvantaged students. That was Republicans trying to do the right thing and help educators and families. Those days are gone.
The environment? Historically, more progressive leaders in the Republican party supported environmental protection. For example, Republican President Theodore Roosevelt was a prominent conservationist whose policies eventually led to the creation of the modern National Park Service. Republican President Richard Nixon was responsible for establishing the Environmental Protection Agency in 1970. How do you think the Administration feels about the environment today?
I could obviously go on about what has changed with the GOP, in the wrong direction, from all the yesterdays, but I need to address where we are today. And as Jimmy Buffet sang, “Oh, yesterday’s over my shoulder, so I can’t look back for too long.”
The Cowards
Here are some things a few of the Republicans have said about Trump:
Paul Ryan. On Trump’s refusal to denounce the KKK: “If a person wants to be the nominee of the Republican Party, there can be no evasion and no games. They must reject any group or cause that is built on bigotry. This party does not prey on people’s prejudices.”
Marco Rubio. “We’re on the verge of having someone take over the conservative movement who is a con artist.” Also, “Has spent a career of sticking it to working people.”
Ted Cruz. “Utterly amoral.” And “This man is a pathological liar. He doesn’t know the difference between truth and lies. He lies practically every word that comes out of his mouth.” And “A narcissist at a level that I don’t think this country has ever seen.” And “A serial philanderer.”
Lindsey Graham. “You know how you make America great again? Tell Donald Trump to go to hell.”
JD Vance. Vance wrote that he went “back and forth between thinking Trump is a cynical a–hole like Nixon who wouldn’t be that bad (and might even prove useful) or that he’s America’s Hitler.”
Do an internet search for a few hours and you could find hundreds of similar observations. They know that Trump is disgusting and vile. And while a few are stepping up with kid gloves to disagree on a policy or decision, none of them are standing up and admitting what they really think of him. Sure, people can change their minds, but you can’t go one day to thinking someone is like Adolph Hitler and the next day work for him and support him as the supposed leader of the free world.
I agree with an NBC report, as well as my one eyes and common sense when they state, “Since he returned to the White House two weeks ago, Trump — at the height of his political power after he won the popular vote — has been expanding his own executive authority and steamrolling Congress as he tries to shrink the government and rid it of anyone he perceives to be disloyal.”
And how do the Republicans respond? The column goes on to point out that “Republicans, who control both chambers of Congress and previously railed against executive overreach by Democratic presidents, have sat on the sidelines as Trump carries out controversial — and sometimes legally questionable — executive actions and orders. Instead, they’re rooting Trump on as he upends Washington and tests America’s system of checks and balances.“
Trump is a different kind of Republican — and he is changing the party in his image. How can Republicans on one day consider Trump a supporter of the KKK, a con-artist, someone who sticks it to the working people, is utterly amoral, and somebody who should got to hell, now be in a position where they sit quietly on the sidelines, or worse yet, root for him? The answer is simple and it is sad.
The Congressional GOP are complicit, enablers, weak, spineless, cowards.
Call to Action
I call on the GOP Members of Congress to defend the constitution. Speak out against the violation of law. Represent all of your constituents, not just the Trump supporters. Do good on the planet. Look in the mirror and become the best version of yourself. Take care of the tired, the poor, the huddle masses. Take care of every American.
I also call on the House GOP to immediately bring and adopt articles of impeachment. I call on the Senate GOP to find him guilty and remove him from office. In the last 30 days, Trump has desecrated his oath, violated the constitution, and broken laws. If you won’t do it because it is the right thing, then do it because it will benefit you come the mid-term elections. You can shape and mold JD Vance. Otherwise, we will do everything in our power peacefully to prevent your re-election
Stop the insanity. Get off the crazy train. Stop being cowards. Follow your own oath:
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.
Registered Republicans, I will bring you back into the conversation here. While I respect those of you who did not vote for Trump, those of you who did are responsible for the tragedy. And whether you voted for him or not, stand up against just policies. You are the constituents who can make a difference when you contact Congressional offices. You too need to have the courage to push back against injustices. Feel free to stand up for ten, twenty decisions. But have the courage to speak out against the one, two, or three things where you disagree. I know you do not believe he should refer to himself as a King. Speak out. I know many of you do not believe that Elon Musk should be able to break the law and violate the privacy act. Speak out. I know that many of you are worried about what Trump may do with Gaza. Speak out. I know some of you or your family have been fired from the federal government for arbitrary reasons. Speak out.
And when the mid-term elections come, vote for the person who has principals, cares about all Americans, and can be trusted to do an honorable job, wherever that falls on party lines.
I beseech the GOP to please stop Making America Grotesque Assholes.
“It’s those changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes
Nothing remains quite the same
With all of our running and all of our cunning
If we couldn’t laugh we would all go insane”
– Song by Jimmy Buffett
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