Yesterday I resigned my position in the York Township Republican Committeemen’s Organization. Below is the letter I sent to the chairman explaining my decision.
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Chairman Cuzzone:
We come together in political parties to magnify our influence. An organized representative institution can give weight to our will in ways we could not accomplish on our own. Working with others gives us power, but at the cost of constant, calculated compromise. No two people will agree on everything. There is no moral purity in politics.
If compromise is the key to healthy politics, how does one respond when compromise descends into complicity? To preserve a sense of our personal moral accountability we must each define boundaries. For those boundaries to have meaning we must have the courage to protect them, even when the cost is high.
Almost thirty years ago as a teenager in Texas, I attended my first county Republican convention. As a college student I met a young Rick Perry, fresh from his conversion to the GOP, as he was launching his first campaign for statewide office. Through Associated Republicans of Texas I contributed and volunteered for business-friendly Republican state and local candidates.
Here in DuPage County I’ve been a precinct committeeman since 2006. Door to door I’ve canvased my precinct in support of our candidates. Trudging through snow, using a drill to break the frozen ground, I posted signs for candidates on whom I pinned my hopes for better government. Among Illinois Republicans I found an organization that seemed to embody my hopes for the party nationally. Pragmatic, sensible, and focused on solid government, it seemed like a GOP Jurassic Park, where the sensible, reliable Republicans of old still roamed the landscape.
At the national level, the delusions necessary to sustain our Cold War coalition were becoming dangerous long before Donald Trump arrived. From tax policy to climate change, we have found ourselves less at odds with philosophical rivals than with the fundamentals of math, science and objective reality.
The Iraq War, the financial meltdown, the utter failure of supply-side theory, climate denial, and our strange pursuit of theocratic legislation have all been troubling. Yet it seemed that America’s party of commerce, trade, and pragmatism might still have time to sober up. Remaining engaged in the party implied a contribution to that renaissance, an investment in hope. Donald Trump has put an end to that hope.
From his fairy-tale wall to his schoolyard bullying and his flirtation with violent racists, Donald Trump offers America a singular narrative – a tale of cowards. Fearful people, convinced of our inadequacy, trembling before a world alight with imaginary threats, crave a demagogue. Neither party has ever elevated to this level a more toxic figure, one that calls forth the darkest elements of our national character.
With three decades invested in the Republican Party, there is a powerful temptation to shrug and soldier on. Despite the bold rhetoric, we all know Trump will lose. Why throw away a great personal investment over one bad nominee? Trump is not merely a poor candidate, but an indictment of our character. Preserving a party is not a morally defensible goal if that party has lost its legitimacy.
Watching Ronald Reagan as a boy, I recall how bold it was for him to declare ‘morning again’ in America. In a country menaced by Communism and burdened by a struggling economy, the audacity of Reagan’s optimism inspired a generation.
Fast-forward to our present leadership and the nature of our dilemma is clear. I watched Paul Ryan speak at Donald Trump’s convention the way a young child watches his father march off to prison. Thousands of Republican figures that loathe Donald Trump, understand the danger he represents, and privately hope he loses, are publicly declaring their support for him. In Illinois our local and state GOP organizations, faced with a choice, have decided on complicity.
Our leaders’ compromise preserves their personal capital at our collective cost. Their refusal to dissent robs all Republicans of moral cover. Evasion and cowardice has prevailed over conscience. We are now, and shall indefinitely remain, the Party of Donald Trump.
I will not contribute my name, my work, or my character to an utterly indefensible cause. No sensible adult demands moral purity from a political party, but conscience is meaningless without constraints. A party willing to lend its collective capital to Donald Trump has entered a compromise beyond any credible threshold of legitimacy. There is no redemption in being one of the “good Nazis.”
I hereby resign my position as a York Township Republican committeeman. My thirty-year tenure as a Republican is over.
Sincerely,
Chris Ladd
Postscript – Needless to say, the response to the letter has been stunning and overwhelming. I want to express my gratitude to the people who have shared so many kind thoughts. It was my intention to reply to each of the emails I’ve received, but I was snowed under by late last night and they keep piling up.
Some of the warmest regards have come from right here in suburban Chicago. When I posted this letter I was prepared to face some anger here at home from fellow Republicans. Nothing of the kind has materialized. The only official response from the local GOP so far has been support, for which I am immensely grateful. It gives me hope. We may all come out of this debacle in better condition.
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Chris Ladd is a Texan living in the Chicago area. He has been involved in grassroots Republican politics for most of his life. He was a Republican precinct committeeman in suburban Chicago until he resigned from the party and his position after the 2016 Republican Convention. He can be reached at gopliferchicago at gmail dot com.
GOPLifer 
I tip my hat to you. As a Democrat I like Hillary, but I do listen to both parties to make my choice when voting. Respected John McCain because a lesser man could not endure what he went through. Believe it or not I have a great respect for George Bush junior. Might not have loved all his policies, didn’t agree with the war but at the end of the day he was the president, and I don’t take kindly to anyone saying negative things about him. To do that is to make America look less than to the outside world. Now Trump! Can’t say anything bad about him either. You might be wondering why. I was taught from an early age if you have nothing good to say, say nothing at all. Wish there were more of you.
Former Florida Governor Charley Crist wrote “The Party is over”. He was a sane moderate Republican that the nuts ran off. His book is about that process. Demographics spell the doom of the extreme ideology of the current Republican party. Cannot happen soon enough for me.
Not to steal any of Lifer’s thunder, but Clinton just selected Tim Kaine as her VP.
http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/288582-clinton-picks-kaine-for-vp
A “safe choice” is what everyone’s saying. I’m hard-pressed to disagree with it.
I do think Kaine will make the ticket more appealing to those moderate voters on the fence that are disgusted by Trump, but who are still wavering on supporting Clinton. She’s running to the center for this election, full blast. She wants to bring in every last voter that Trump’s alienated; those moderate Republicans and Republican-leaning Independents.
Kaine definitely helps with VA, but Dems lose a lock on the Senate seat. That will be interesting to watch develop….at least there’s a Dem governor. Not sure of VA’s rules regarding eligibility to run as VP without jeopardizing Senate seat…Ryan had this option in WI, but not all states allow it….Pence couldn’t do both.
Anywho – here’s an interesting take from Larry Sabato (U. of Va Center for Politics) on the Kaine pick and an interesting sub bar article.
http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/clinton-kaine-a-not-so-surprising-ticket/
Mime – Kaine’s seat runs through 2018. Virginia’s democratic governor will select his replacement who will serve the rest of his term. The decision becomes that of Virginia’s voters two years from now. That is one of Kaine’s pluses as the VP pick – several of the other candidates (Booker, Sherrod Brown) were senators with GOP governors, posing a problem.
Thanks for that research, JG. I wasn’t sure what his status was. Unlike Warren or Brown, this protects a Senate seat while putting a genuinely nice man in a position of power….potentially. Kaine’s resume shows that he is of an unusual temperament to be in politics….maybe, politics of old. We could use a little kindness in D.C.
Seriously, what is the thinking announcing the VP pick at 7pm EDT on a Friday? Are you hoping nobody would notice? Do you not want it to make the news cycle? If you wanted to steal a bit of Trump’s thunder, then noon today would have been right (after the morning news about his speech but while people are still paying attention before the weekend). And then still announcing it amidst the news from Munich tonight? God, as much as I want to support Hillary as a good option, she does mind-numbingly stupid things like this that reduce her to the least bad option.
I already looked at this. You and I are old. The news cycle is now 24/7 – it’s not based on tv or print. People have cell phones & tablets & their computer.
Social media – Clinton understands it.
I certainly applaud Chris Ladd! All Americans need to wake up to what he has expressed here! Americans are fed up with what is happening in our country! There is little doubt about this. But to accept and ellect an egomaniac such as Trump is sheer insanity!
I am from Alabama. It is with great regret that I watch Jeff Sessions and the other politicians who support Mr. Trump!
I do not support Hillary either. It is time for a house cleaning in the house and the Senate. It’s time for Republicans and Democrats to remember they are Americans first!
Since you don’t support either Clinton or Trump, I assume you support either Johnson or Stein. That won’t help you achieve the house-cleaning you seek, but, we can agree on the futility of a Jeff Sessions.
[…] Lifetime Texas Republican Leaves The GOP In Epic Resignation Letter […]
Respect to you. I am one of those democrats who believes that the American eagle needs both wings to fly straight. I am looking forward to the remnants of the principled right gathering together under some new flag to reconstruct a new right wing that rejects racism and bigotry and which is based on observable reality. I will continue to watch your efforts unfold.
bravo. You are a great example of a real American. Country first!
I see you made the news again, Lifer. They still think you are a Texas conservative or Texas Republican. That’s a hoot. I did like your bit on Cruz being a true son of the Alamo. Never thought I would hear anything positive from you about a republican, especially a tea party republican like Cruz. He was my choice from the start and he didn’t disappoint. I know he said he would back the person that got the nomination, but that was before Trump made personal attacks against his wife and father. I agree with Cruz that such acts “abrogated” that pact (not the kind of word this man of simple words and language would have used, but fitting).
Don’t know if you heard, but Harris County Republican precinct chair William Morris also resigned over Trump getting the nomination. I wonder how many others are jumping ship at this point.
I cannot, in good conscience, bring myself to support Trump. I can’t even try to defend the guy. I say he would be better than Clinton and believe that. I think about the Supreme Court. I also read that he offered the VP slot to Kasich and would have let Kasich have control over foreign policy and such. Don’t know if Pence got the same offer, but it does quiet some of my problems with Trump. It shows that he knows that he doesn’t know and wants to surround himself with people that do, and he can learn. Then again, a president that knows he doesn’t know, a president that doesn’t know? Crap! The only thing there is that he would still be better than Clinton. But a Clinton victory would give Cruz a real chance in 2020.
Thing is, I blame the GOP establishment and people like you for Trump. I am no Republican, not even a republican (since some people make a difference on capitalization). I am a libertarian leaning conservative and I identify with and believe most people in the tea party movement are like me. We have been sending our message to the Republican Party for at least a couple of decades. Heck, I didn’t even like Reagan if you want to go back that far. But you and they didn’t listen and Trump is the result.
I said a while back that I would come back in November to either say your Blue Wall was garbage or that you were right. That is no longer relevant. Cruz and Sanders would have been the real and honest contest, Maybe even Cruz, Rubio, Kasich or Perry against Clinton. Trump blows everything to pieces.
I do not choose lightly to post on your blog again, but after that (somewhat short compared to you entries) rant, here are things I have to say to you …
1) You have influence, you are known. If I had the reach and was as well known as you, I would not go silent. Even though I disagree with you on almost everything, I suggest you do not waste what you have. Keep on blogging even if you have to get a new domain name and redirect this one.
2) I admire your activism. Getting out there, going door to door, being on the committee, boots on the ground. Not just sitting at a keyboard and posting comments (which is about the extent of what yours truly does).
3) You have my sympathy. So many years working at it, decades, and now this that causes you to resign.
4) A conservative would be looking to vote for Johnson or the sort, not Clinton. Platform matters.
5) Godwin’s Law.
Take care, Lifer.
Good to see an old familiar face (avatar). Regarding this:
“I said a while back that I would come back in November to either say your Blue Wall was garbage or that you were right. That is no longer relevant. ”
I agree entirely. We won’t see a real test of that theory until 2020 now.
Part of me will miss walking the neighborhood with my little bag of fliers. But it’s always freezing cold here when it’s time to do that. Might be nice to be indoors this year.
Cool, Lifer. Of all of my rant, see points 1, 2 and 3. That is my real message to you, for what it I worth.
for what it is worth. D’oh!
Good to see you Cap, steak, fish on the grill and a cold beer when you and/or Tutt are in the area.
The thing is Capt, if Trump offered to turn over domestic & foreign policy to the VP, what makes you believe him?
He doesn’t want to do the work- that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t keep opening his mouth up about things like NATO, Putin, carpet bombing ISIS, etc. Under our system, the VP couldn’t do anything about him running off at the mouth. Not without resigning.
Kasich was smart not to take the offer.
Chris, my husband is afraid he won’t get any dinner….I keep telling him “just one more GOPlifer email to read!”
Ha. Go get some food. Nothing to see here. It will all still be here tomorrow.
Nah, having too much fun! I’ll hang in here and heat left-overs for him….no sacrifice is too great to see all this admiration and dialogue, Chris! Your wife may have to bring you supper on a tray, though, cause I KNOW you’re gonna be following….It must make you feel not only vindicated but good to know that so many people from all over from so many political affiliations are pulling for you. It won’t replace the sorrow for the reason, but it’s good for the soul.
WOW GOPLifer deserts the great man who just wants to save America in its darkest hour and then starves his readers families. It turns out you were always the true monster Chris.
🙂
Hey, I’m holding out for a midnight snack!
I’m a US Ex-pat who grew up in Illinois, left in 1971 for Canada (to teach) and have remained. Mr. Trump’s convention and those (gasp) chanting shrieking delegates whipped into their frenzies by shameful speakers spewing hatred and advocating vigilante actions shocked and astonished me. Then it got worse. Congratulations, Sir. I admire an individual who stands by and acts on his principles. You need to live with yourself. Well done.
Horsesh#%. You lost and now that you didn’t get your way you wanna take your ball and go home. Good Riddance ! You and every other 30+ year leadership need to “resign with indignation “. Senators , Representatives, Washington insiders, have all run Washington into the corrupted ground for 30+ years. You have all failed ! Anyone that pisses you lifetime politicians off like that is just fine in my book. Good bye and Good Riddance.
John , you obviously don’t have a very deep or long history of reading GOPlifer. Because, if you had, not only would you know better than to make the statement you did, but you would be like the rest of the commentators – Republicans, Independents, Democrats alike – who are all thanking Lifer for trying to expose the problems within the GOP. He’s part of the solution, not the problem. Dig into his archives and then maybe you’ll come back with a thank you, too.
Wow, that’s quite the principled and intellectual defense of Trump!! You also perfectly evoke his mentality and maturity level. Nice work!
“Washington insiders, have all run Washington into the corrupted ground for 30+ years.”
Can we unpack this? I don’t mean that tonbe snarky, I mean, what exactly are you talking about?
First of all, acknowledge that how you anecdotally FEEL about “what’s going on” has no bearing as what is actually going on (that’s true for everyone). That’s why we use data, because our biases, and our media consumption decisions, fail us all the time.
A good example is crime. Lots of ppl (mostly Republicans) bizarrely think that crime is somehow a problem. And why not? Media in general – but right wing media in particular – sells the narrative. “If it bleeds, it leads” is the mantra. This means that lots of ppl – especially those who consume primarily right wing media – are “sure” that crime is rising. They “just know it”. But here’s the thing: they don’t. Data indisputably shows us that it’s safer now in America then it has been in decades. But that doesn’t sell news does it?
So my question is: what is your beef? What are so mad about with regards to the government? And I mean, specifically. Not vague garbage like ” they sold us out tonthe Chinese!!! ” unless you’re prepared to specifically outline how, PRECISELY, they did that.
If you’re going to bring up anything to do with the culture wars “because they allowed gay marriage to happen!” or “ABORTION!!!!” let me just stop you there. The reason those things haven’t been “stopped” it’s because America is a democracy, and it is overall a pretty liberal country. Definitely more liberal then conservative. So the reason the culture wars are going to liberals way, it’s not “corruption” or “incompetence” or “dysfunction”. It’s because the majority of Americans want it that way.
The few who are posting negatively tonight on Lifer’s post evidently aren’t used to having to support their assertions. We regulars know it’s not only expected, it makes the blog more interesting and we all learn more. There is also the fact that we are open to other ideas and opinions. That’s the beauty of an intellectual discussion versus what most blogs promote – who can be the most over the top, most offensive. I don’t know if you can reason with people like this but I applaud your patience and effort to do so, Rob.
As a Canadian, may I add my admiration for your principled stand. The tragedy in all of this is that, for a two-party system to be functional, there must be two functioning parties. My hope is that, after this terrible bind that your country has gotten itself into resolves itself this fall, a legitimate Republican Party can rise out of the ashes, and once again give you a voice for your political and ideological positions, while allowing space for a vigorous debate with other points of view. Bless you sir. Sleep peacefully tonight.
Thank you, sir. 61 year old white male in Arizona here. We once had one of the good ones here in Arizona. John McCain was for reasonable immigration reform … McCain / Feingold was about putting some stops in the financial services industry … then came Presidential politics and he became, truly, the total opposite of that man. I’ve never seen a turn around quite as pronounced.
We also have a conscientious republican here in Arizona by the name of Jeff Flake. If you haven’t already, take a look at his record. Perhaps, with your permission, I’d like to send a copy of this letter to his office.
Yes, I am a democrat. I believe women should control their bodies. I believe guns should be harder to purchase than a drone. I believe that giving money to the middle class pays huge dividends to the economy, while giving it to the wealthy means it’s lost forever. (Jobs are created by marketing, sales, manufacturing, doing a service and receiving payments for products and services and reinvesting THAT money into the company … not by lowering taxes on profit.)
Mr. Trump is successful because he has a unique business plan. He loves debt, so he goes into it HUGELY. And, he’s said he’s very proud of the way he uses the bankruptcy laws. How can you not be successful when you borrow money without the intention of paying it back.
Good on you, sir.
The thin-skinned, short-fingered vulgarian will not like this at all:
http://www.vox.com/2016/7/22/12212262/trump-ratings-convention-speech-john-mccain
McCain got higher ratings for his speech! Ha!
Too bad McCain’s a sellout. Once upon a time he had great moral authority. He could speak as no one else in high office could about the evils of torture, and our country needed him to do that again this election cycle. As much Chris Ladd and Jimmy Camp make me proud with their stands for their principles and values, McCain just as equally disappoints me with his choice to cave in to Trump- a spoiled brat who wouldn’t have lasted 5 minutes in the Hanoi Hilton.
You think he would have lasted 5 minutes? Really? Not so sure…….He probably would have sold out everyone of his comrades if he thought it would help him, but endure 5 minutes of torture? No way.
Maybe this is too early, but how do you plan to continue pushing for worthy goals such as pro-smart regulation, pro Basic Income and so forth?
A man of reason and conscience, and any person who think of themselves as such should vote BLANK IMO, becuse Hillary bitch is sold out to the NWO rich elite.
Saul, we don’t use language like you posted in this blog. It isn’t necessary, as we don’t need vulgarity to fight for our principles and positions. Go away.
Classy and articulate. Your words “Pragmatic, sensible, and focused on solid government….” reminded me of what I once admired about the GOP and why (although I’ve always voted liberal) I never registered Democrat until this election cycle. I mourn the loss of your former party to this fascist. Good luck, sir.a
I’m a little late to the party but happy to see Chris taking this necessary step.
I hope he’ll continue to blog independently and make the case for sane conservatism to an even larger audience.
This is a GOOD (but I suspect, painful) letter. I applaud you. Trump’s inculcation of fear has two parallels; the “good guy” stance of the NRA and the propaganda of Goebbels in the ’30s. Each lays a danger to the public at the feet of partially imaginary foes; “home invaders” and Jewish professionals.
The parallels make me shudder!
As a lifelong democrat and a citizen of the embarrassing state of Illinois, I empathize with your feelings about the direction your party has taken. The democratic party has veered into an arena that has left many of those whom it supposedly represents in dire circumstances, not necessarily on the national level, but most assuredly on the state level. I have voted my conscience in local elections because I know that party loyalty does not mean abdicating our moral obligation to the greater good. Somehow the art of compromise and “agreeing to disagree” has been lost and we have become a nation of us versus them.
I am sure this was an extremely difficult decision on your part and I applaud you on standing for what you believe to be right. Your letter is written most eloquently and speaks to what, I think, many of us are feeling regardless of our party affiliation.
Best of luck to you sir. I salute your courage to take the moral high ground when there is so much pressure to “get in line”.
“About goplifer
Chris Ladd is…a Republican precinct committeeman…”
No he’s not…did you NOT read the letter?
That is a very powerful statement. Respect sir, for having chosen for your conscience! This kind of statement restores faith in Americans again….
Greetings from beyond the pond….
In the fine and noble tradition of Eliot Richardson, you have found in yourself the integrity to say you have had enough. You are a hero, sir.
Chris, You know what’s really neat? Seeing all these other GOPlifer “followers”! What a big group! I hope when you begin your new blog (!) that everyone will feel more comfortable about commenting. Lots of good writers and thinkers in this crowd.
No wonder this is such a special place to visit. Such nice people. (The rest of you – go away. We don’t want you or need you. You know who you are.)
Thank you, sir, for so eloquently explaining your position on these matters, which ultimately led to your decision. I wish more politicians would display such integrity and courage. You are an inspiration!
It is far more difficult to choose to stand apart from your friends on principle, than to just go along. Kudos to you. Hold your head high. I’m a lifelong liberal Democrat, but my whole family were Republicans back to Lincoln. Even they would have been morally compelled to vote otherwise, as they were moderately Republican but socially progressive. After living through the Depression and WWII, they would have been shocked and offended by the circus this past week. Good luck to you, and vote your conscience, as we all should.
Thank you! This is the beauty of our DEMOCRACY. Two parties, with defined visions. Healthy. But like you referenced in your letter, the party you knew is no longer the party of today. Hate, fear, anger, are the order of the day. Thank you, again.
Thank you
Thank you.
This is a thing of beauty. The only way this country is going to move forward TOGETHER is if more Republicans like Mr. Ladd have the courage to speak out and take action as he has.
Wow the GOP is losing a lot of its old members. My family is going through the same thing as they are made up of the old branch of socially moderate Republicans from California. My father, who is part of the prime target demograhic of the GOP (blue-collarish white male) has outright said he’s not a Republican anymore and hates the GOP leadership, though he’s hated them for at least four or so years now. His first vote was for Reagan. My grandfather has been conservative for over fifty years and he hates Trump, it might be the first time he ever doesn’t vote Republican. Even my stereotypical radical-right uncle won’t vote for him (he’s kinda well-to-do so while he’s a bit politically nutty he’s not going to vote for someone who’s openly going to destroy the economy and his living with it). All old guard Californian Republicans, going blue. If the old guard kees leaving the Dixiecrats will have 100% control of the party, though its going that way anyways.
Sorry to hear about this Lifer. It’s been both sad and interesting to watch my family of party loyalists turn on the GOP, but hopefully something worthwhile takes its place after its probable implosion.
I’m honestly interested to see just what the repercussions of Trump’s nomination in a state like California are going to be. It’s already a very blue state, obviously, but many see it as a microcosm of the future of America as a whole.
Just during this election cycle, the Republican Party in CA has actually shrunk, almost down to third-party status. Does the hole just deepen this November or does it completely fall out?
Trump for President, no governor’s race, and the Senate race is between two Democrats. In my district the *House* race is between two Democrats (Orange County, even!). I don’t think Republican turnout is going to be good.
Hard to say but I think they’re going to become nonexistant in cities for awhile but stay strong in rural areas. We’ve had a long tradition of reformist Republicans in Cities who’ve wanted to distance themselves from the national GOP without explicitly saying so. That said there are still quite a few wingnuts and not just in rural areas (but’s its really bad in rural areas where conspiracy theories rule the day), because even the well-to-do urban Republicans have been taking in alot of right-wing “news” telling them Democrats are socialists coming for their wealth and they’ve become kind of radicalized on economics. Their last nominee for governor wanted to outright privative medicare and social security and SURPRISE he lost in a landslide.
Heck the head of the local GOP in LA had an interview with the High School I went to and he was just rambling about how plants cause global warming and other such nonsense. When our class read the interview we honestly thought at first that he was just some random oddball who was interviewed not a local GOP leader. It’s gonna get worst probably as all the moderates leave who were just sticking around hoping for more old-time reformist types to (for better or worse) combat public sector unions.
Also taxes. Most of the Republicans in my family who live in cities are obsessed with taxes. The ones in more rural areas seem weirdly cool with raising taxes on the wealthy though (so long as it’s not for COMMIE reasons), so there you go.
I quit voting Republican after the Clinton Impeachment. I was frustrated by that (total waste of money and I liked Clinton) and I realized that our Republican Congressman, Jim Rogan, was out of step with the community. Republicans have only gone further to the right and their refusal to compromise only makes governing difficult. As a Californian, I can’t remember the last Republican I voted for though it might have been Jim Rogan.
I’m glad to see more Republicans acknowledging that the party is out of step on climate change and other issues mentioned above. Donald Trump could very well be the last straw for a lot of people.
Someone needs to start a party that isn’t just the “opposition to everything.” That’s what the GOP has become. If everyone in Congress wanted ice cream and the Democrats said they wanted Vanilla, the GOP would demand Chocolate. They would even vote against 1/2 Vanilla and 1/2 Chocolate. That’s how bad it is.
Half vanilla and half chocolate – That’s what the American people voted for – twice – His name is Barack Obama. But, you’re correct, even split right down the middle doesn’t satisfy some people. They have to have it all. You can’t have “any”. I’m tired of “their” way and I want more people to share in the wonderful benefits of living in America. I think you do too.
@Griffin, re: “Most of the Republicans in my family who live in cities are obsessed with taxes. The ones in more rural areas seem weirdly cool with raising taxes on the wealthy though (so long as it’s not for COMMIE reasons), so there you go.”
I grew up in a rural area and always thought the anti-taxes ranting of people was just ridiculous. Oh, dear me, you get slightly less money in return for social services!
Now I live in NYC and taxes really threaten my patience. I was lucky enough to get a nice surge of work in the fourth quarter of 2015 and, well, I’ve been paying the taxes on it ever since. In addition to the taxes I already pay.
The thing is I’d be fine if I did the regular American thing about not saving and not investing. But I’m a saver and investor. So to be clear here:
In a rural setting under about $50,000, so, MOST Americans, you can expect to pay roughly about 25% in taxes total: federal, state, local, self-employment, all sorts of shit that just shows up.
A good saver / investor in their future will put at least 20% of their income into a tax-deferred (IRA) account or index funds (or index funds through a tax deferred account).
So on a baseline level, the typical American should really actually expect to live off of 55% of their income…. that 55% before:
Rent
Utilities
Health Insurance (now technically defined as a tax, re: ACA decision by the Supreme Court)
Transit
Groceries
Subscriptions
Internet
etc. and so forth.
Again, in the end, I’m ‘fine’ with it. I see the purpose of these taxes in real terms to myself and I make it work, I actually enjoy the gamification of personal finance in my own way and I know longer term the real value I’m developing in my life is friendships and relationships that will support and take care of me in a supra-economic way. I’m not afraid for my financial or personal future.
But man, when you live in a big city, 1% extra income taxes here, 2% extra sales taxes there, .5% extra municipal taxes elsewhere, and then the lifestyle tax of just genuinely higher cost of living, and that ‘55% of income’ becomes more like 40%, 35% of income, that you actually use for genuine, real life, actual living. Add lagging income increases and the race to the bottom of wages, it’s hard.
I agree with most personal finance advice that most people really should live in the cheaper rural areas. My job doesn’t allow that. But I can fully endorse Republicans and Democrats alike from big urban metropolitan areas having anxiety about taxes. They suck to the level that makes you obsessive.
Because in the end, the real fuck of them is exactly what happened to me: I paid my dues, I paid my taxes, I paid my rent, I got all my shit together — and then just because I did TOO good for three months, I ended up with an additional tax burden that’s making it really hard for me to tread water this year.
That’s a stupid situation. Nobody should suffer for having a prolific three months of work.
I agree. Taxes are necessary in an organized, civil society, but they should be reasonable and not punish people for success. This is especially grating when you know that the uber wealthy have the means to pay more but don’t because they can also afford the best tax consultants who help them game the system. The middle class of America is paying too much and it is unfair. Our tax system is broken and the distribution of wealth in our country is a staggering indictment of capitalism’s abuses.
Happy with your success, however. At least there’s that (-;
In the end. Do you support Trump or not? Your reasoning makes perfect sense just you needed to be clear and final in your support of the Party’s choice in Donald Trump, or not? I personally am for Trump. How about you? The GOP sent their 16 Best. And Donald Trump didn’t just beat them, Trump did it by bringing in thousands of new or previously disenfranchised GOP lifers who had left the Party out of disappointment and frustration years ago. Clarify your support, Trump, or not.
You.just.don’t.get.it. leon.
Hi Leon,
I do not support Trump.
There’s a few things you should know about me.
One, I am not a Republican, I am unaffiliated. I choose my leadership based on the quality of their ideas and my perception of how well they’ll be capable of executing them.
Trump neither has good ideas, nor the political capital to execute.
Two, I do not agree that the GOP sent their 16 best. In fact, if the GOP had any sense of unity and tactics, they wouldn’t have diffused the platform among so many competing minor talents, but rather strategized together to put forth a small selection of strong candidates.
Trump didn’t even win a majority of the vote with running basically unopposed since Indiana. In short, Trump did not win because he is a strong candidate, but because the GOP is a weakened party.
Thirdly, I haven’t been sold on the concept that those ‘enfranchised’ by Trump should be. Neither Trump nor his fanboys are doing good work or PR to represent them as anything other than riled up white supremacists. Even if you look at the Trump supportive comments on this post, you tend to find that they’re less about the good Trump will do for varieties of people and more about anger, hatred, and pain.
Nobody does anything useful with rage and hate.
The pain is real, so it behooves people in leadership positions to learn their lesson from this debacle of a campaign year and start taking these complaints seriously, less even worse than Trump comes along.
But those complainers also need to learn to work with other people, human beings, who constitute the society that exists around you and the relationships that build institutions to support you.
In other words, I’m here to work with you, Leon, to come up with better solutions and try to resolve these conflicts. But I’m not taking partisan purity tests in order to start this conversation. All I’ll do is open it up if you want to have it, and continue to vote in my own interests.
Know what I think Griffin? I think you’ve been a good influence on your family! Keep up the good work!
Ha thank you Mime! I do influence my father a lot since when he started to listen to that talk radio stuff I told him a bunch of crazy stuff the hosts had said in the past and he stopped listening before he became truly extreme and he returned to being the moderate Republican I always remembered him being. But he’s always hated Trump more than I did, I don’t think I did that directly haha.
On the other hand I always keep my mouth shut around my Grandparents out of respect even when they go pretty extreme. On the rare occasions I openly disagree with them I do it in a very roundabout way.
Congratulations, Chris. I applaud your integrity and the eloquence with which you expressed your reasons for what must have been a painful decision. Perhaps the party of Lincoln will find fresh expression through people like you. I am a Democrat, but I recognize the necessity of reasonable opposition in keeping a healthy democracy. Good luck to you.
Looks like you’re famous Chris. Hopefully you’re message gets out there even more. It deserves to be heard.
http://www.rawstory.com/2016/07/texas-gop-lifer-resigns-from-party-over-trump-no-redemption-in-being-one-of-the-good-nazis/
Yeah, Chris, I hope you took the day off so you would have time to read all your fan mail (-;
Quite a tribute. Bask a little. You’ve earned it.
With grace and dignity. This registered independent has just had a little faith restored in members of the GOP. I would vote for you.
There is a word for this – Integrity.
Thank you. As a Democrat, I desire and value the counterpoint of principled Republicans. I am glad to see that at least one man is principled enough to call it quits when the mob has taken over.
I for one am a Democrat that will vote for Trump…. I would never vote for a Clinton. She is much worse than Trump….
Because why? Show your work.
You do realize there are more than 2 options right?
Echoing this sentiment with sincerity. I have made a point of watching both major party conventions and reviewing all candidate stances during the primary process, and have done since I was able to vote. This GOP is not familiar; I do not recognize it any more.
And you’re not running for president because….???
Bill Kristol only reads the National Review?
As a former Marine, I try to remain objective regardless of what president was in office. I saw Ronald Reagan’s stand by and do nothing while 240 marines DIED, but I was taught to RESPECT my COMMANDER IN-CHIEF, so I said very little. I watched him call Nelson Mandela a “TERRORIST”AND ALL MANDELA WANTED WAS RESPECT AS A MAN , and not raise the minimum wage theENTIRE TIME he was in the White House. I said VERY LITTLE…. I watched George Bush look helpless at a Supermarket counter when a computer scanner scanned some Groceries. I laughed I saw that “Son of a Bush” talk about weapons of mass destruction when none were found, his Secretary of State WARNED HIM ” if you Break it, you own it” he resigned in protest and Dick Cheney openly criticized a DECORATED FOUR-Star GENERAL, and at that point I had enough! And as I said before, Bill is NOT running for president. Dumb Donald is, so let’s talk about Donnie. He’s A DRAFT-DODGER…he have a little sore footsie so he couldn’t go into the military. He’s an Adulterer. He cheated on Wife number one WITH wife number Two after he got like number two pregnant. And then he sent wife number one a text saying he wanted a divorce. He cheated on wife number two with wife number Three. He lies constantly. He says you have to treat women like shit. He said pregnant women in the workforce is bad for business. He likes women on their knees. He said Eva Longoria is married to a tall basketball player and she’s just the right height . He like short women because they are the right height. So tell me why a woman would ever vote for a man who said such horrible things about women. Don’t you have any respect for yourself. You must be the laughingstock of your familyd I ew I could not be silent any longer I have watched our current President be called every name but a child of God. And we don’t pray to Allah, he kisses his wife every day and I think that qualifies him as the worst Muslim in America! But yet these people want to vote for a man who openly admitted to cheating on his wife not once but twice a man who dodged the draft not once not twice but four times our country has sunk to a new low and the respect we get from other countries is laughable not because of Obama but because of the man that chooses to replace him think long and hard before you go on that voting with people because the world is watching this time
Reading this made me cry.
David,
Firstly, thanks for your service. I come from a military family and while I never went that route, I respect it wholeheartedly.
Second, for me, as a man who grew up with some family members who treated women with less than equality (though nothing like Trump), I somehow, THANKFULLY, grew into a man extremely sensitive to what it means to be demeaned as a woman when all the women I know and love are truly amazing, thoughtful, beautiful people — acquaintances, friends, lovers, and family alike. I get sickened very quickly when I hear any demeaning of women due to their gender. It stupefies me and over my life I have become a feminist if you like, a defender that women are deserving of EQUAL IF NOT JUST A TAD MORE because they truly still have to navigate the world during those nine months if they choose to have children (and yes, I’m pro-choice — women’s bodies, women’s choices, absolutely).
If Obama had done just one percent of what Trump has done with women, he would have been labeled a poster child as an example of why black men are bad people. Can you imagine if Obama had FIVE children by THREE wives, cheated on all them, EXPRESSED SEXUAL INTEREST IN BOTH HIS DAUGHTERS, went on Howard Stern and demeaned women in such a disgusting manner, was quoted as saying that “YOU HAVE TO TREAT WOMEN LIKE SHIT,” said about Megyn Kelly “blood coming out of her where ever” (and we all knew he meant her vagina), paraded beauty contests into his office to do god knows what, has been ACCUSED OF RAPE numerous times and with underage girls, and JUST LAST NIGHT TOUCHED HIS DAUGHTER’S THIGH AND LOOKED AT HER BODY IN A MANNER THAT IS SO DISGUSTING –(see the video going around) —
if Obama had done just one of these things, he would have been ripped apart by the right, the press, and every white supremacist in the country.
Where on earth have the scruples gone of the good Republicans I know? I’m an independent but know good people who are R and good who are D — but supporting Trump seems to me now a calculated move on the part of groups of people who have now answered the two dog whistles of RACISM and SEXISM.
Trump is man who if he hadn’t inherited all his wealth, would likely have a string of arrests for sexual crimes.
and they say they are the party with family values, but what kind of family values are they. obviously not good deceit family values any longer if ever.
Semper Fi David, and you’re got Trump pegged. Add to that he’s too lazy to do the work. I don’t want to waste the office of President on a figurehead. If his kids want to run things, then they ought to declare as candidates.
You Sir Are Right!
Thank you for your bravery. I only hope that there will be many, many more like you. The only way to ensure that Trump is not elected is to support Hilary Clinton. I know that will not sit well with many Republicans, but I hope you will consider it.
Nina, there’s actually no need to compromise your Republican values by voting for Hillary. Vote Green. Personal responsibility, strong local economies, environmental conservation, a world that works for everyone and doesn’t try to control your personal life. Check out the Green Party’s Ten Key Values and see if you don’t agree with the majority of them.
I understand where you’re coming from, Dave, but at the same time one has to put the needs of the country first. Realistically, there are only two choices that have a viable chance at becoming president: Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump.
Voting for Clinton, even if you don’t agree with her positions or find her morally reprehensible (I don’t necessarily, but just for the sake of argument) does not mean you’re compromising your values. It means you’re being pragmatic and making the best choice you can in a tough situation. Why begrudge someone for that?
Are the Greens going to be on all 50 ballots? Because if not, they should throw their support over to Johnson.
Dave, a vote for Green is a vote for Trump. As, mathematically, there will be only two candidates for which there is any hope of a presidency, you will be casting your vote for not-Hillary or not-Donald. You may not agree with that, but that doesn’t change the numbers.
A vote for Hillary is a vote for not-Donald. A vote for anyone else is a vote for not-Hillary, which will insure a Trump victory. You can vote your conscience, or whatever you choose to call it, but the independent voter will control who sits in the White House when this is over. If it ends up being Trump, we know who to point the finger at…
Sorry, lifelong Democrat and leaning progressive. I’m not voting for Stein because of her stance on vaccines & her claim that she’ll get everything done by executive order.
She’s been running for President for years – she should know more about the way government works than that.
I disagree and refuse to capitulate to, arguably, the lesser of two evils. There is a viable ticket if they are allowed to participate in the debates. I speak of the Libertarian candidates, Gary Johnson and Bill Weld. The Republican Party has “Whigged” itself and the Democrats are headed down the same path. We need national leadership that serves a higher cause instead of the bidding of their corporate masters.
Tom, that’s just not going to happen. That’s the same convenient thinking that Ross Perot’s supporters had in ’92 and we know where that ended up. There are just too many partisan Democrats and Republicans who, for a lot of reasons, will vote for their party no matter what for any third party to have any serious chance at the presidency.
Here’s the real point: would anyone here who feels they abhor what Donald Trump stands for, but doesn’t like HRC not feel somewhat responsible if the third party candidates allow Trump to win? Could you live with that possibility? There will be other elections to vote your conscience. Vote for our country this election.
I agree. Trump has killed the Rs and Hillary will kill the Ds. This is the perfect opportunity to get third, fourth and more parties available and made viable. That whole ‘you’ll waste your vote’ thing applies more to a vote for Trump or Hillary.
Much respect to you, sir.
Thoughtful and courageous. I agree with you, Mr. Ladd. Donald Trump has gone from being merely a bothersome, bratty jerk to a deeply scary man who delights in fanning the flames of hatred and who knows no mistake too large or small for which to claim credit. Political sides notwithstanding, Trump caters to our most cowardly instincts, playing on our fears and helping to turn this country into a far scarier place than it ought be. Truth will out: the one hope I still have for this election. Our Founding Fathers are turning in their graves today, no mean feat, given our tumultuous 200+ year history. We are better than this. At all costs, we must remember our greatness has come, and will continue to come, from working together, across party, gender, racial and socio-economic divides.
Chris – I know that was a very hard letter to write and I’m sorry you had to do it. Integrity is more important than almost anything, certainly than party labels. I keep hoping that more reasonable centrists will cast off those labels on both sides and cast aside the extremists that have given us Trump on one side and (almost) Sanders on the other and work together to elect pragmatic candidates who can find sound ways to drive this country forward. If that happens, your various posts contain a pretty good playbook with which to start.
im sorry but bernie is not an extremist. he`s a politician for the people not wall street and corporate america. if thats extremism to you, you`ve been in the sun too damn long. he has a spotless career. his track record shows where his head is.
His track record is non-existent. He has been an anonymous senator from one of our least economically sophisticated, smallest, and least diverse states. His entire legislative record is sponsorship of three bills that became laws, two of which were to rename Vermont post office branches (that is not a joke, by the way). He is admirably clean, whether that is due to his own integrity or the fact that he’s never been important enough to bribe is an open question. If you want to know what “free college education” looks like, go to Italy. His trade policies are Trumpian isolationism, which ends up hurting the very people they are intended to hurt, by making everything more expensive. He has zero foreign policy experience (or interest).
Sanders’ heart is in the right place and I’m sure he earnestly believes that what he’s promoting is right, but he just doesn’t understand the economic future that’s already upending the world around us.
Raising the minimum wage to $15/hr sounds great, but continued automation and innovation are eliminating more and more of otherwise low-paying jobs. One can already see this happening with automated car manufacturing and do-it-yourself checkout lines at the grocery store. That’s only the start and this is a trend that’s not going to slow down. It doesn’t matter how high you raise the minimum wage if there aren’t enough jobs to go around in the first place. In fact, it’s counterproductive.
As for trade, one of Sanders most heated issues, it’s just not as simple as he would have you believe. Economically, there are a whole host of consequences (positive and negative) to trade deals, like NAFTA, that you have to look at.
For example, NAFTA did cost us about 700,000 jobs in some states, but it also gave us a total of five million new jobs, for a net gain of 4.3 million. And while some factories in the US did depress their wages, as a whole, average wages increased after NAFTA. The list goes on and on.
http://useconomy.about.com/b/2008/04/24/nafta-pros-and-cons.htm
I genuinely like Sanders, I really do. I just wish that he’d stop trying to paint issues as being black-and-white and try to see and explain them as being the complex things that they are.
Well said my friend. You are not alone.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/21/jimmy-camp-republican-consultant-donald-trump
Good to hear from you, brother
I assumed “Jimmy Camp” was a made up name to go with the link to the Guardian story, but if you are the person profiled in that article, you have my deepest respect. You’ve put your livelihood on the line to maintain your integrity. That takes guts that few people seem to have.
Seconded. It’s easy for someone like me to denounce Trump- at worst I will get into an argument with a conservative family member who can’t let go of the Hillary hate. But for those who have that much skin in the game- all I can say is that I am impressed by your courage and hope that I will follow your example if I ever face that sort of choice between what is expedient and what is right. America isn’t doomed yet.
As you said.
Hey Chris, I appreciate what you said and wholeheartedly agree. I made the same move away from Republican Party myself in 2008, though with far less at stake. Best of luck to you.
I’m sure there has been angst in making this decision and doing it in a public forum. I am not a Republican and have been perplexed by the primary season. As an independent who historically has leaned more to the democrat side of the fence and is generally not a Hillary fan, I was hoping John Kasich would have had some traction as he is one who seems to want to do what is right and not pander to the extreme. My hope is that the pendulum will swing back from the extreme for the GOP.
The only difference between Kasich and Trump is that Trump doesn’t bother with the dog whistle.
There is nothing “reasonable” about Kasich other than his ability to act like an adult in public.
Wow! You have my respect.
My dad was a lifelong Republican of your ideals, but he died at the end of the Eisenhower era. He would have been horrified at the descent of the party since Reagan. I, a lifelong Hubert Humphrey Democrat, applaud your ideals, and honor your service to a party which, once sane, is no longer so. Thank you for your years of loyalty and perhaps past this end stage, sensible Republicans will once more rise, throw off the tea party fanatics and the Trump shouters and become once again Dwight Eisenhower and Everett Derksen wise. I salute you, sir.
The Repub party knowingly represents evil. Those with half a brain will leave it. Hopefully after the election in November the R party will be all but dead.
Chris,
I don’t know you but I respect what you’ve done. It is so much easier to simply go along with the crowd than to stand up for something. I applaud your courage.
The first President I ever voted for was Ronald Reagan and I agree that the audacity of his optimism is one of the things that made him so great. He wasn’t perfect but he would have never divided the country the way Trump has been doing. He wasn’t perfect but the Democrats didn’t try and blame the Marine disaster in Lebanon on him. He wasn’t perfect but he was the right leader for the time and gave us the sense that we are one country.
Donald Trump is all about Donald Trump and he will leverage whatever ugliness exists in America in his own quest for power. He is practicing the politics of blame and trying to get people to look to “the others” as the source for their problems. He plays on people’s fears and uses soundbites to get crowds of rabid dogs riled up enough to attack other Americans. It is sickening to see what he has been able to do to our country in such a short time.
When Trump first entered the race I assumed it was a sideshow attraction but he was able to change the rules of the game and hijack the GOP. We need healthy, vibrant political parties to debate the great issues and move our country forward. We need a strong GOP. I used to respect the GOP and, while an independent, I often voted for GOP candidates. Not anymore. I will be voting straight party Democratic from here on out. The GOP is dead to me and many others. That is the thing that is truly “sad.”
Good luck and thank you for sticking to your principles.
Todd
[…] a resignation letter posted to his blog, GOPLifer, Chris Ladd writes about his longtime history with the party in Texas, including his friendship […]
Chris – you have made at least one internet news source with your resignation:
http://www.rawstory.com/2016/07/texas-gop-lifer-resigns-from-party-over-trump-no-redemption-in-being-one-of-the-good-nazis/
Holy crap. That escalated quickly.
🙂
Hang on tight, you are in for a wild ride. Never mind the haters, there everywhere.
Chris – I have read your blog and column for a long time and I truly hope that you do continue to write. I have a great deal of respect for you and your opinions even if I don’t agree with you all the time ( I am the daughter of a life-long union man after all ). Your insights give me hope that one day we will all come together and work on ways to fix all of the issues that face our country and your regular commentators have shown me that we CAN have reasonable debate and discussion without name calling and rancor.
You are also trending on twitter…. ; )
You were never a Republican, why do you pretend you matter as if you were?
Just curious, James. What is a Republican these days? Please tell me what principles still apply. This is a serious question, not an idle curiosity – though there is some cross-over..
Mime, of course, a Republican is whatever James and his mouth breathing friends decide is a Republican. According to James, of course.
Ppl like him think they own words and terms, and only they are allowed to define it for other ppl, much like the religious right owns “morality” and only they get to dispense it according to their (lack of) values.
Yeah, sometimes I just gotta dish back. This is not a blog of shallow, stupid people. Say something dumb like that, you ought to get it right back. Bullies aren’t allowed here. Be intelligent in your points or don’t post. This is a blog of thinking people who actually make an effort to support their positions and beliefs. No room for small minds.
Make sure to vote for Strongman Trump; He’ll protect you from Mooselmans and Mexicans hiding under your bed.
Go Green! Jill Stein for President!
She will make an excellent heir to former Presidents Ralph Nader and Ron Paul.
Yeah – cast those votes and cry if Trump wins.. Stein, as fine a person as she is, will only help split votes from the only real candidate who can defeat Trump.
(-; Griffin, you’re coming right along!
I am heartened to see that personal and moral integrity still prevails somewhere out there in the Republican heartland. As a lifelong Democrat I’ll note without any reservation that Chris Ladd reads like the kind of Republican I could sit down and have a few beers with, enjoy his company and agree (civilly) to disagree on a good number of things. I’d probably even pick up the tab.
Better wait until after the election to pick up the tab for beers with LIfer (-; There’s going to be lotsa suds needed to get past this election!
Well, there *is* this expectation is Europe that some teams that lose in soccer and/or rugby get their drinks paid for by the winning team. I’m pretty sure I could do that with Chris. Oh, and I should have also mentioned in my above post that I believe we’d likely find a good deal of common ground on which to agree with as well.
Cheers.
That’s a neat example Ray, but I beg to differ with you a tad. You see, Chris Ladd is a winner. He always has been. He still is. So, maybe you and Chris can just split the tab (-: Sounds like you’re a winner too!