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 
Mr. Ladd,
Your words mean more than you may realize to more people than you might imagine. Thank you for having the courage to speak them.
Bravo! I am surprised! There are still some Republicans with a conscience!
Brave. Sound. Clear.
I figured the best thing the Republicans could do for the future of their party was to go ahead and allow the ‘vote your conscience’ rules to be implemented at the convention. That should assure that Trump not be nominated and someone else be nominated. If the assumption is the race for 2016 is lost there are two important goals to have: 1) help (or do no harm) to down-ballot contests and 2) Make a clear statement of being a responsible party in the governing sense for 2018, 2020, 2022, etc. The party would accomplish both of these goals by preventing Trump’s nomination. The concerns that it would appear to be undemocratic could be argued away reasonably easily and would be quickly forgotten in any case, IMO. “Delegates to a convention are representatives of their home districts, bringing the sense of their community to the convention to make decisions for the party. As time as passed, we learn more and more about Donald Trump and feel it is important for each delegate to have full freedom to represent the sense of their district for their voting, however it may have evolved over the long primary season.”
The Republican party didn’t do that, they decided to allow Trump the nomination. Your decision is the honorable one to make. You are far from alone, I’m sure of it.
Finally, a man who is willing to stand firm on his ethics, and who is willng to say what so many other Republicans have been afraid to! CHRIS LADD FOR PRESIDENT!!
Brave.
Have you seen this? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiG0AE8zdTU
“What are they ‘for’?” I would also add, for contemporary emphasis, “how” are they going to implement their platform? What is their platform? Do they understand the *issues*? Eloquent and thoughtful, sbradfor.
Thank you so very much, Mr. Ladd. I’m a democrat who has voted across the aisle a number of times and I’m saddened by the polarization of our society. I’m sending this to my 90 year old father, who has supported and campaigned for every republican since Dewey and has never, ever, voted for a democrat. This year he’s voting for Clinton, and has surprised us all. I’m so proud of him. Thank you again and you give me hope.
Winning the battle…….losing the war. Stand by to welcome our new ( left ) Supreme Court.
Nothing’s stopping the GOP from holding hearings on Judge Galand (who is center right). Well, nothing except their childish petulance.
I don’t fear a centrist court. I welcome it. Conservatives fear such a court because they have gamed the court to achieve that which they could not accomplish in Congress through regular order. We don’t need another Scalia on the left – we need a man who “thinks”, applies case law, and doesn’t legislate from the bench.
You are brave to say out loud that the Emperor has no clothes. I hope others have your moral compass and bravery and don’t continue on this train wreck. Dr. Diane Balin
For those who believe that Trump’s jerk reputation is merely an act for TV, some insight into the content of his character:
http://www.newyorker.com/news/john-cassidy/what-sort-of-man-is-donald-trump
I’ve hit the pay wall, Fly. Couldn’t view the article.
Try this one:
http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/275521/donald-trump-sick-infant/
The way I see it, even if the inheritance dispute eventually got settled, cutting off the funds, even temporarily, for medical care for a severely ill infant is reprehensible. If you are going to be a decent human being, you START by not picking on kids, or disabled people, or the elderly.
GRRRR….”It’s always about him.” People who think this man has any ability or intention to follow through on any of his promises are deluded. I can tell you one think that comes through loud and clear – if you cross Donald Trump, he will cut you off at the knees. Nice guy.
Common sense, common decency – not so common anymore. Bravo!
First off, I want to wish you well and I hope for all the best as you move into uncharted waters. Even with all the praise that you seem to have received, new beginnings can be stressful, so hang in there!
Second, as a centrist (but left-leaning) independent, I applaud the way you articulated the puzzled despair I feel when I see friends cowering from enemies that they don’t have. I am further perplexed by the inability of data to change their opinions – they only double down on the notion that the Facebook meme trumps (sorry) years of painstaking data collection. Sowing the seeds of fear in a large, armed mass of people and endeavoring to build physical and ideological fences between the “patriots” and the “treasonous rabble” is a recipe for fascism. While I am not a Hillary hater, the Democrats could have offered up several more palatable choices. That said, Election 2016 isn’t about Republicans or Democrats, it isn’t about hope for a better future, and it isn’t about a United States of America functioning as intended by its creators. It’s about survival – physical, ideological, and moral survival. Each sacred vote is either cast to enable a narcissistic buffoon’s joyride to power or cast for marking time until 2020.
In closing, I can’t help wondering if anyone else sensed a HUGE opportunity slipping by the Republican party. If Ryan had united a group of Republicans around ideals such as those espoused by Mr. Ladd and repudiated Trump, I believe that the Republican party would have experienced a powerful renaissance. Yes, they would have lost the White House in 2016 and they would have lost the already-tentative evangelical Tea Party support BUT I think they would have emerged as the party that they wanted to be after the 2008 and 2012 elections. Moreover, centrist Democrats like myself would view those legislators as heroes – people who sacrificed a “party” to advance the country. Legislators who walked the walk when it came to a more inclusive party founded on real conservative ideals such as responsible fiscal policy and moving government into the hands of the states and the citizens.
Thanks again, Mr. Ladd.
PS: While I’m worried about a Trump presidency, I’m far more worried that there are millions of my fellow Americans that think it’s ok to send that racist Cheeto to Washington.
That is the problem, isn’t it, Thomas? Regardless who becomes President, these people will still be out there. There is a lot of work to do to re-educate America. Critical thinking has become obsolete in theory and practice. It used to be that people who didn’t think deeply also rarely voted. Now they do, and that is troubling because they are not doing the work to vote responsibly. They don’t understand the issues, haven’t studied them or the candidates, and do not demand substantive campaigns. It’s a problem.
I’m going to sneak in a little news here that is important.
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/288989-democrats-vote-to-reform-super-delegate-system
The deficit in critical thinking is EXACTLY the problem in my humble opinion. When I was a kid, if I wanted to know about, say, the crime rate in America, I would have to learn it in school, find someone in my blue-collar neighborhood that “knew”, or, schedule a trip to the library with my folks when the car was available. These days, we are awash with “information” but have no skills to filter out the misinformation. My Facebook page is FAR from being well-traveled, but not a day goes by that I don’t stare at my screen in horror, aghast at what some people believe to be facts. I teach graduate courses in Cognitive psychology and, for the last few years, I have devoted two full lectures to going over the many reasons that people believe what isn’t true. (And, hopefully, how to avoid those faulty decision traps.) An old adage went, “Information is power.” I think it might be more accurate to say that “Misinformation is power.” More optimistically, “Being able to critically evaluate information is power.”
Thank you for replying.
Well said Thomas. I too am a Centrist. Both parties have been pulled towards the fringes. Rather than learn how to understand and work with someone who doesn’t agree with you, politicians now take the low road and fight against those who disagree with them. Compromise has turned into a dirty word and success is defined by how well you hold your position rather than generating something that benefits everyone.
Thank you, Jim. I long for the days when the people on the other side of the proverbial aisle (whichever side that happened to be) were working to advance the interests of the country and not their party. Of course, I’m not so naive as to assume that personal interests didn’t play into the decisions; however, there was a checkpoint. A point at which, “OK, this is crazy,” could be said… A point of restraint that gets harder and harder to see each year.
Hmmm. You talk glowingly about Reagan but damn his version of supply side economics?
You aren’t a republican. You’re a lifelong masquerator who supported what he liked.
Trump won the only way a republican can: fair and square.
After 30 years you want to take your ball and go home?
Don’t let the door hit you on the ass on the way out.
We elected a House and a Senate who have
done nothing that they promised.
Worse, they never even tried.
And it’s all Trump?
Time to pull up your big boy pants.
“You talk glowingly about Reagan but damn his version of supply side economics?”
Thereby demonstrating that he can disagree with a candidate or president on policy matters but not condemn that individual as a person, or refrain from supporting them because of that disagreement.
Which, of course, means his abhorrence of Trump must stem from something other than mere policy disagreement.
“You aren’t a republican. You’re a lifelong masquerator who supported what he liked.”
We all support what we “like”. Or, rather, those policies and individuals we think will best serve this country. The Republican party is not a religious cult that demands absolute devotion. If the party no longer reflects the ideals Ladd wishes to support (and that it once purported to reflect at some indeterminate point in the past) then it’s perfectly reasonable for him to support someone else.
Or do you think Southerners should all still be Democrats? Out of loyalty to the Democratic party?
“We elected a House and a Senate who have done nothing that they promised.”
That’s because they made promises they knew they couldn’t keep. Shame on you for believing them.
“Shame on you for believing them.”
Indeed. Well said.
And, when you push the little button “for” Trump, are you going to also vote “for” all the incumbent candidates who, as you noted, have done nothing that they said they were going to do? Where’s your sense of principle?
You’re a lifelong masquerator You need to buy a dictionary if you are going to continue to reply to comments on line. Why can’t Republicans spell? Is it in sympathy with their tendency to want to cut spending on education? Maybe night school for a GED would help.
My comment was for buddyglass says;
(-;
You restore my hope for a two party system. There are conservatives like you that restore my belief that I must respect people like you, even though I am generally on the opposite side on many of our real issues
Assuming you are right and Trump goes down in defeat, people like me need people like you on the other side if the great issues we face are to really to be desolved.
More people, both in the inside of politics and at the bottom, should learn to think for themselves.
Good move Mr Ladd, for doing what your gut told you to.
Life long Republican here. I know exactly how you feel Chris. From day one I’ve taken the position that I could never support Donald Trump. To go even further, I will not vote for any candidate that has endorsed Trump. I don’t care for Ted Cruz as a candidate but at least he has spoken up and not kissed Trump’s ring. Also kudos to John Kasich. I’ll probably vote for Gary Johnson.
This is awesome! Well said! I wish more Republicans had the brains and fortitude to stand up for what’s right for our country! Thank you very much!
I love this kind of courage. I may not agree with him, but I respect him. Integrity is such a rare and valuable quality.
One of the greatest things about America is that we all have a right to our oppinions. And as Americans we have the freedoms to express them without fear of imprisonment!
While I respect your opinion, I would hope that you can see the total disaster of a Clinton White House.
Donald Trump is the hand we have been dealt, love him or dispise him.
A non vote for Trump is a vote for more of the same and the abuse of further executive orders that will take away our constitutional freedoms See second amendment.
The next Potus will also appoint at least 2 if not 3 Supreme Court Justice’s. I find it dificult to accept that a decietful, conniving ,corrupt person such as HILLARY could or would appoint constitutionalists to a lifetime position.
Just my oppinion.
Consider this. Which is a worst disaster? Accepting Clinton for four years while trying to find a better representative of the Republican Party, or pushing Donald Trump forward as the best you have to offer? If Trump wins, you will have perhaps one of the worst Presidents of all time – someone who doesn’t know statecraft, who has no interest in actual governance. Hell, vote for a third party, just to indicate you have no interest in Trump.
Really, I do believe the Republican Party can do much, much better.
Such rational thinking is M.I.A.
Oh, so you’d rather a lying, adulterer, narcissistic, intellectually lazy (and I’m being kind with that descriptor), mean man choose our SC justices?
Okay, then find someone to represent the people. I don’t agree with all of the trumpisms, but the last 8 years have been a disaster to the American way of life and for our future. Divided more than in recent memory. Most politicians think of themselves and not our citizens.i think when you see the support that trump has garnered by going against the political establishment both dem & rep…….that’s why i feel he is a hope for change.
SERIOUSLY MD??? TRUMP A HOPE FOR CHANGE………YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING!
And, just “why” do you think the last 8 years have been a disaster for the American way of life and for our future? Be specific. Could the division have anything to do with the racism that has been front and center with the Republican Party? Could the gridlock have anything to do with a GOP that would rather commit heresy than allow our country to function – if it meant it made Pres. Obama look good in the process? Well, guess what. The Republican Party is ranking around 11; Pres. Obama, 51. Maybe you should take those rose colored glasses off.
Herein lies the problem in trying to engage Cheeto supporters… You can’t use data to change the minds of people who didn’t use data to make up their minds in the first place. I know some people get upset when Cheeto and his minions counter facts by doubling down on ignorance and being aggressive but, without facts of their own, they have few options open to them.
That got a chuckle out of me Thomas! Thanks for the smile.
No need to publish this, but I wanted to drop a note thanking you for your post. I’m extremely left wing, so we don’t share much in common, but one thing we do share is grief at losing the political home we thought we had and belonged in. I know how much that hurts, and wanted to convey my sympathy.
Your letter was just what I wanted to see, something from a bona fide conservative decrying what is happening to the Republican party. I take no joy in watching it either, even if it means “my side” (and that’s typed with much bitterness) takes the presidency. This nation needs at least two strong and healthy political parties to be effective and humane. I hope you will continue to vote for the best person for the job. My sympathies on your loss, because it is a large one.
^^^What he/she said, a thousand times over!!!
Wow, a Republican with whom I would love to talk about politics! Your overall assessment of your party reminds me of the old GOP, a worthy, intelligent political opponent for a debate! This article is well-written and very well-informed. Most of all, it makes me wax nostalgic for my own party and the time when it was of value to be intelligent!
Good-on-ya Chrisl! Knowing people like you still exist gives me hope for the country’s future.
o
Well said JRB… not only are you a Democrat who makes me smile, but Chris Ladd is a Republican who makes me breathe a sigh of relief… Together, you augur hope for the future. And, I’m a Canadian! 🙂
There is millions of Americans who do not believe in party first and we are waking up . Thank You
Many words have been spoken. I’ll simply say Congratulations and thank you.
Hope we’re related.
Chris –
After your hard work for the Republican Party I have one message for you. I am proud
of you for leaving at this unfortunate time. When Trump loses Nov. 8th I hope you will think seriously about rejoining your Party…if there is a Party to rejoin. They will need you and your years of knowledgeable service. I am a Democrat and a Hillary/Kane person. I am
not saying join the Democrtic Party in Chicago. I am saying I believe in an honest and
working under committments to judge your Party with statements of difference between candidate A & B but not heated threats to either candidate like “Firing Squad & Kill her”
I detest words like I’ll build a wall between Mexico and USA and keep them from crosssing
into the USA, detest bigot words from any candidate for the highest position in our Land, being against NARAL, against Social Security, children can go to any school their Parents want – Ha to that, etc. etc. a litany of vile words that the NY Times 7/22 reported on their Editorial page and their decision to say worst convention possibie. Bravo.
So Chris, hopefully you will be able to rejoin your Party, and work to help rebuild the Party of your choice..
Most sincerely, Adrienne
Chris Ladd _ It is a great and pleasant surprise to find a person with such great moral fibre! And we need more such people to step up in these very dark hours. We need more people, like you…and Bernie Sanders!
I too have sat around wondering when we all will wake up from this very bad dream featuring Donald J. Trump. I’ve also wondered about all the millions of people cheering him on. I’ve asked myself, ” is this really America?” How does one bully, lie, and abuse others into submission just so one can emerge as a victor? I must believe in the line from the movie Jerry McGuire – sometimes when we win, we actually lose and when we lose, we actually win. In becoming the party’s nominee in the most outlandish, insulting and divisive way, Donald Trump has lost in my book. I was not a fan of Ted Cruz. However, I have taken another look at him and put him over those who buckled in despite Donald’s violently destructive assaults on their persons, their families and even their careers. It was sad and chronically painful to watch. I take solace in one of my older friends’ counsel. With her great wisdom at age 87, she has assured me that America will make the right choice come November because the sun is not about to set on this great country. I have to believe that. I’m holding on to this hope for November.
What took you so long? This Texan made that choice 30 years ago and now vote for the best person for the office. I am an Island in a sea of republicans do or die but my Island is clean and welcomes all free thinkers and defenders of democracy.
You are a man of principle and I salute you. Trump is dangerous. He stands for nothing but himself. He is ignorant, mean spirited, and frankly reminds me too much of Putin. Again, I salute your integrity.
I know how you feel dear. I’ve spent the last 30 years as a Texas republican and 10 years before that as an Ohio Republican. I’ve been amazed at how much better I’ve felt, physically, since realizing I just can’t vote for Trump. I hear that line in my head, from the limbo song, “how low can you go?” Strange. Well Mr Trump, I cannot go low enough to vote for you! I’m relieved to stop trying. It is NOT the he right thing And quite honestly, if the RNC and your campaign don’t stop trashing Ted Cruz, I won’t vote for any republican! There comes a point where belonging to a group that does wrong, corrupt things makes you guilty too! It’s like all those Muslims that watch Christians being beheaded. There’s nothing moderate about that! So, I’ve quit the Republican Party after 40 years! Never have voted for anyone other than a republican. I’ve contributed generously over the years. I’ve served in local groups. But I will not serve a group that chooses Trump as a standard bearer. Why didn’t they go straight for Charles Manson? He has even more name recognition than Trump! Trump has no standards. Personally, I don’t even know how he’s running? He’s pled no contest to federal charges over his lengthy litigious career. Wouldn’t that make him a felon? Hmm. I suppose he’ll be finding out soon.
I’m a little surprised by the authors concern over theocratic legislation. To what are you referring to sir? I haven’t seen that happening. Ever. I hope we should all want a more moral country. That may be inextricably linked to moral training in church, but I honestly don’t know what you refer to when you say “theocratic legislation”? Is that because Christians don’t approve of gay marriage? Marriage has always been a sacrament. Why isn’t a civil union enough? The government actually has no authority to speak for God, so gays cannot be married no matter what the government says. They do not speak for the church, and when churches violate the laws God has set forth, they lose their authority as a church. Please explain your complaint.
You’ve never seen theocratic legislation? Really? Laws like the one in NC forcing certain people to use certain bathrooms are directly linked to religion. And, where do you get off saying Christians don’t approve of gay marriage? I am a Christian (in actual name and deed). I approve of gay marriage. Now you’ll say I’m not “really” a Christian. Your narrow view of Christianity is what’s the major source of dissent in this country. You have NO right to impose your morality on others, and most certainly not on those whose views are different than yours.
Who uses theocratic logic to dispute claims of theocratic legislation?
I’m sure you are aware that there are two different things that we, as a society call “marriage.” One is the religious sacrament that you refer to (religious marriage), and the other is the governmental licensing and recognition of domestic partnerships (civil marriage.) Since, as you correctly point out, the government has no authority to speak for God, then we are clearly not talking about religious marriage. The debate over the expansion of marriage benefits is and has always been exclusively about civil marriage. (Notice that I did not use the phrase “redefinition of marriage” since there were no existing heterosexual marriages that were “redefined” as anything but marriages since we have expanded that civil institution.)
This is (in my view anyway) where Republican claims of a desire for “smaller government” fall apart. What could possibly be less of the government’s business than how I choose to construct my family? And why would you want the government peeking into your bedroom to be sure there’s the correct proportion of wee-wees to hoo-hahs?
Marriage… civil marriage… offers all types of benefits from taxes to immigration to health care to pensions to… good grief… I could fill a page. If you argue that these benefits should be available exclusively to those who follow the laws of your god, then you are arguing FOR a theocracy, not against one.
But, as a Republican Committeeman, Mr. Ladd would not be able to take on such an argument, because he must placate folks like you. You’re too big of a voting bloc to risk offending. I have no idea what Mr. Ladd’s position is on this, but he is now free to take it regardless of whether it offends you, or me, or anyone else. Having myself jumped ship from party politics several years ago, I can assure Mr. Ladd that the freedom to think for one’s self is refreshing.
Read Chris’ archives for his position on same sex marriage. You will not be disappointed. As with so many other rights, he is very inclusive and broad in his application of equality. You wrote a most persuasive argument, sir. Well done. As far as theocratic legislation – all the “life” issues fall into this category as do rights for contraception. It may masquerade as something “else”, but it is right wing all the way.
Chris has been putting himself and his positions on the line for many years. He finally had enough and Trump was the proverbial straw. Follow his development through his archives and you will get a better sense of the man. If you would like to know more about him, read his book, “The Politics of Crazy”, available via electronic or paperback format.
I don’t know about Chris, Garlin, but may I point out that not all Christian churches oppose gay marriage? My aunt and her partner were married when it became legal in Massachusetts with a Unitarian minister presiding and her Episcopal priest offering blessings afterwards. I believe her priest is now able to preside as well. I know there’s a Methodist minister who presided over his son’s marriage.
And marriage if you look it up was a legal institution before it was a sacrament. Because it was about property.
Gay people are active in their churches, are people of faith in many religions. Your sect of Christianity may not accept them, but that does not mean no Christian church does.
I get angry about this because what I saw was two women who loved each other, who lived together in a marriage, who were active and faithful in their church, who were charitable, generous & just people you would love to know. And they had less rights than Brittany Spears who could run off to Las Vegas on a Friday night, be married and divorced in less than 72 hours.
Does it help if I tell you I know a lot of gay people through my aunt and a couple of my cousins? And I know most of them attend church on a regular basis. That’s how I know them – as my aunt’s fellow churchgoers who happen to be gay.
Bridget – I’ve enjoyed your posts and hope you will continue contributing. You’ve added to the discussion here. I did not know that marriage was first a legal act then a sacrament, in that order. It’s logical when you think about it, but just never put the two together. Thank you for pointing that out.
Another point on same sex marriage – no one wants to force anyone to marry them, but in our civil procedures, it’s the law of the land. In churches, the decision rests with the minister and/or church policy. So, once again, we are talking about the civil portion of marriage contracts because rights, insurance, etc., are inextricably tied to that little piece of paper. And, it’s important.
Thank you.
I had almost forgotten what civil disagreements felt like.
Congratulations. I hope you feel noble. You’re not, but I hope you feel that way, since you obviously care more about that than the future of our country. Don’t bother to deny it, your letter above proves it.
We have two realistic choices for President this year. HRC or DJT. Anything other than DJT is effectively a vote FOR Hillary.
One can go through all kinds of mental masturbation to make oneself feel noble about chickening out and not voting, or else cast a “protest vote” like for that clown Gary Johnson from the Libertarian party, but to convince yourself he can possibly win, you have to be as delusional as most of Hillary’s supporters are about her. Unfortunately, I suspect she’ll win, since most of the country is stupid these days. We’ll see in November whether folks want more of the worst of the same, or not.
To vote for Hillary, Johnson or even “stay home and not vote for anyone” is a vote FOR Hillary.
It’s not noble not to vote, it’s just chickenshit, and it’s an explicit decision to let someone else make the decision for you so you can sit back and bitch, because either way it goes, you can say, “I didn’t vote for him/her”.
Like I said, that’s the chickenshit way out of a momentous decision for us all.
Hillary will finish what Barack started. The complete destruction of what’s left of our country, our traditions, our rights, and our financial futures.
Sorry, just the facts, ma’am. I don’t particularly like Trump, either. He wasn’t my first, second or third choice among the primary candidates. But he’s way the hell above Hillary on my list, and that’s all that matters now.
We have no winning choices. I will not sell my soul for the Republican Party. I’m hoping the Constitution party gets on the ballot, or Cruz finds a way to be a write in. Look for someone better. If you find them (and it shouldn’t be hard) get the word out and we’ll vote for them. No Trump, No Clinto!
Chris said long ago that he would vote for Hillary if Trump was the alternative. Obama hasn’t destroyed anything, your paranoid rant to the contrary. Hillary will probably be an adequate caretaker. I’m totally fine with that. With Trump, the main question would be- how long does it take Putin to get under that thin skin and make him do something rash and stupid?
Hours. Possibly minutes.
Dear Flyboy
I am not a chickenshit, never have been.
Just like in the 70’s I told my parents not to vote for Nixon because he was a crook. His later resignation proved me out.
I wasn’t a chickenshit then, and I’m not now.
There is no way in voting my conscience I could vote for either Trump or Hillary, I would be going against my own determination.
I will vote for Gary Johnson because he is the ONLY candidate I can get behind.
Period.
If you think that’s a vote for Hillary, those are your words.
Trump is a bully and tyrant.
Hillary is a liar and lives in the pockets of big business, she lives on the coat tails of her and Bill’s past.
So I will vote for a candidate that preaches less government, so what’s so bad about that?
And it’s my choice, given to me under the constitution, so don’t call me a chickenshit.
If Trump wasn’t your first, 2nd or 12th choice, that’s your vote……….
Good reply…
Thank you for your response. I vote the least evil. Right now that is Donald Trump.
Trump is not the least evil. He is the most enigma. He hasn’t stated a single policy position beyond soundbites, anger, and vitriol. Soundbites that change depending on the public and media response. The amount of lies he has told as a candidate eclipse all the lies told to the American public by the W administration.
Your belief that he is the “least evil,” and your clear hatred for Hillary Clinton, reveal that you long for “simple” answers. Unfortunately, it is rare that there are any simple answers… in politics but especially in life.
It is unfortunate that you need to project your own rage and hatred onto a public official so much that in order to vote “against” her, you will accept someone who clearly has no clue what he is doing.
That says more about you than about anyone else, running for President or not. You must be a very unhappy individual. Probably someone who goes home from work and drowns his sorrows in alcohol, drugs, guns, or rage.
I will be praying for you.
Hey, you pray for Michael, I’m gonna pray for our nation!
I love it when conservatives attack Obama’s tenure as an attack on their “financial futures”. Huh? Have you forgotten the little event in ’08 under Republican watch? The one that Obama has tediously, painstakingly helped America climb out of? More than halving our federal debt? I don’t know how you invest, but most people have done pretty damn well in the market over the past 8 years. Not that that means anything, right? We can agree that there is great and terribly unfair wealthy disparity, but, guess who wrote those rules? Guess who continues to double down on cutting even more taxes on the wealthiest Americans? Have you talked to many middle class people about how much they pay in income taxes? Remember Mittens? He paid 13% yet earned billions. Guess he’s got a better accountant.
Selective commenting is revealing. And, I chose to address just this one area of your remarks. I could easily take on the other areas.
Wow. You’re so absurd it’s mind numbing. This man is refusing to compromise his values and you’re calling him a chicken shit? You’re blinding voting for the biggest racist and bigot, and quite possibly the stupidest man, to ever run for the presidency because he’s what your party is offering you. The only one who is not noble here is you. You’re a coward, plain and simple, and honestly you’re every thing that is wrong with our current state of affairs in this country.
Bravo for putting down in writing what so many are thinking. Trump’s whole appeal is based on fear, revisionism and false nostalgia for a time that never was. He offers no substantive path to progress for the majority of us other than to build a wall on the Mexican border (and have the Mexicans pay for it), insult, belittle and bully vast segments of the population, and make the world nervous that we won’t honor our treaties. Rather than making America great, he is taking us down the express elevator to new lows.
In their Nobel prize winning work, psychologists Daniel Kahnerman and Amos Tversky argued that the human mind is lazy. We rely on shortcuts to avoid the effort of deliberate reasoning, unconsciously turning complex decisions into quick, intuitive judgments. “Make America great again” is just that sort of easy shortcut with nothing behind it.
The images of the Republican convention were incredibly disheartening.The behavior of delegates on the floor and speakers on the stage was xenophobic, misogynistic and bigoted. As a country we can do so much better..
I’ll say this for the Republican Convention, the last day they let it all hang out so the world could see what “real” Republicans are like. It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t even nice. And I don’t think it helped their candidate. But, of course, there are a lot of intellectually challenged people in the world so who knows what will happen in November?
I am only a 35 year Republican Voter who officially changed my voter designation to Democratic when Trump became the presumptive Republican nominee. Like you, I just cannot support the party of trump and the republican party anymore.
I applaud you for taking a stand. I think everyone in the GOP should follow your example. Only then will the party move inand grow in a more positive and stable direction.
I miss that closure. Ohio doesn’t keep a record of party affiliation so there’s nothing to change. I phone the RNC and told them to take me off their phone list. I’ve also just phoned them and the republicans up for re election, and said if they don’t stop attacking Cruz, their down ticket can go to Hades!
What a great debate, a party loyalist, who has certainly payed his dues, with conviction, decides this is the time to bow out of politics.
I disagree with his decision, which is why I’m writing this rebuttal, not to change his mind so much as to convince myself and bear witness in the same way he bore witness to his resignation.
In preamble, is it important who wins this election? Third party candidates including Johnson are not serious compared to previous contenders- Wallace, Anderson, Perot, Nader and in spite of the divisiveness of the Trump vs. Clinton run and while Johnson may do better than previous Libertarians, His influence is moot.
Clinton, is an untried felon having admitted to being not only reckless with classified documents, but also deliberately destroyed documents in defiance of Freedom of Information Act requirements. She will not be stopped by Super Delegates, which include her and her husband, who act as an oligarchy in their power over the electorate, and protected her from the will of democratic voters by fixing the nomination process before the first gatherings in Iowa.
Ignoring that (how?) what is her agenda? She will bring socialized medicine to this country. As a healthcare provider I am against this on the principle that it does not provide appropriate incentive for Quality Healthcare. But I’ve been doing this for decades now and I understand that it really isn’t up to me and the fact that I have a lot of insight into medicine doesn’t mean anyone’s going to listen to me, or even that I’m right. Is there a better alternative? I would welcome it.
Clinton has experience in foreign policy, as Secretary of State, no better credential. Alas, in this she has been an abject failure. Iraq, made sense to me because of a reason others ignore. Afghanistan was a cesspool of Radical Islamism created by the vacuum of Soviet withdrawal and CIA insurgency liquidation of assets. 911 was a great reason to clean it up. Saddam Hussein had demonstrated nefarious ambitions previously, not just rhetorically. But to me what the invasion of Iraq did was surround Iran. The invasion was inspiring, the occupation was disastrous, the surge was remunerative. The last eight years, criminal. No need to give details, the facts, meaning the chaos, carnage, loss of American influence have all contributed to the worst situation in the Middle East since the dawn of the Six Day War. Clinton, however much or little responsibility she has for this a former cabinet member, does not recognize the chaos and supports corrupt regimes through her foundation.
Domestically, she has said nothing to make me think she will reverse the economic discrimination of our most vulnerable citizens, which are the entrenched policies of the party of the KKK.
Let’s look at Donald Trump. It does not surprise me that a party apparatchik can’t support him, he has been defiant in his use of straight talk, as opposed to party talking points. No wonder a consummate head-up-his-ass guy like Jeb! (or Kasich) can’t fathom him. They’re right. He sounds xenophobic, dictatorial, unprepared (notice I avoided racist).
Problem is the voters are sick of the politicians and the parties. Conservatives left the Republican party years ago, and the party hashas done nothing to bring them back. The evangelicals held out and have been rewarded with an affiliation not with panderers of no substance but with a guy who was willing to negotiate with them and offer them tangible goals.
That is the point. Trump is a negotiator, and if he wins this fall, he may be considered one of the great negotiators of all time. He begins with extreme opinions, that is a negotiating tactic. The media, the parties don’t get it. But the people do. Who are these people? They cross party lines, are represented by members of all races, colors, religions, and sexual affiliations, in numbers greater than polls will indicate. They wore the uniform in combat, and have wounds visible and invisible to show for it. They own small businesses or work for a living in small, medium and large businesses and have seen their wages stagnate and their pensions disappear. They know what a security clearance is, and they know when a law has been broken. They know Trump, they like that he’s rich, it makes him less corruptible in their minds.
I’ve seen all the gloom and doom rhetoric about The Donald, and have cringed at many of the things he’s said. He has a heart of gold, he loves this country, he loves the people of this country, he believes this country is exceptional, and he realizes that the world is facing a mortal wound without a strong USA.
I accept your resignation, now get up and get back to work and elect the only one in this race who will bring back jobs, make our cities safer (by bringing back jobs!) and restore not only American hegemony in the world but stop the barbaric killing going on because of the utter contempt and neglect of UN supported Obama/Clinton/Kerry treason.
Well said.
Unfortunately, as I said in my own post, he’s basking in the glow of other clueless “noble” people who’ll get what they deserve. President Hillary. Unfortunately, the rest of us don’t deserve it, but we’ll get it anyway.
” They know Trump, they like that he’s rich, it makes him less corruptible in their minds.”
Less corruptible??? With all the ongoing fraud suits against him?
Also he doesn’t just SOUND xenophobic, dictatorial , and unprepared. What you see is exactly what you’d get. A con man who loves the spot light, but doesn’t want to do the hard work that job requires. You don’t conduct diplomacy with extreme public statements. It’s also not very good for business deals either. Trump’s been great at exploiting bankruptcy laws, but that tactic well never work for running the country.
I’m no party apparatchik. I’ve been an Indy all my life. But I’m not voting for some jerk just because he’s an outsider while clinging to the deluded hope that he’d suddenly change for the better once he took office.
We see things differently. Time will tell.
Well stated. Guess these folks that want to stay home also want Mrs. Bill Clinton to nominate judges for the scotus. Increase taxes, lower our security and status in the world. Well, this vet is voting!. Many fellow vets died for this right and these stay at home whiners are no good for our country. It’s sad people have given their all so that the sniveling whiners can insult the veterans of this country this way.
James, why would you vote for a man who denigrated McCain’s service, who claimed that going to military school was just the same as actually serving and who cheated veterans groups out of the fund raising dollars he promised them?
I honor our military and our veterans. I vote to support our military and our veterans. I looked at the Republican record and for the most part it’s a lot of talk about supporting the vets and waving the flag and very little actually money going to accomplish those goals.
The two exceptions are McCain & Graham. But you didn’t let me vote for McCain in 2000 and you didn’t let me vote for Graham this year.
Dave I could not have said it better!!
Well said. Thank you. Someone who can see and make his own decisions and choices. Not caught up in the hype, good or bad. Hillary is a train-wreck a rolling as is the entire Obama Cabinet and Administration, past and present. WE must unseat them. We the People. Not the politicians, or Congress, or most certainly the Supreme Court Jesters. But We the People. Donald Trump is far from articulate. But Donald Trump is the best man for the job.
Leons, I feel sorry for you, but I feel sorrier for our country that we have more people like you. Don’t bother researching Trump’s platform – it wouldn’t take much time, but it’s really, really skimpy. His “seat of the pants” style might work for TV but it hardly works in our global society. Have a nice life and don’t think too much.
Agree with every word. Thank you. It is narcissic self interest to abandon one’s principles and one’s political party because of personal dislike of a candidate nominated by the democratic process. What you do is either hold your nose and vote or, be very happy, and vote. In any event VOTE, And, remember, it’s the SUPREME COURT.
Out of curiosity, may I ask how you felt when Reagan fired the first salvo for socialized medicine when he signed EMTALA into law, thus causing the domino effect which both increased uninsured patient visits to the ER raised insurance rates for those of us who played by the rules?
And for what it’s worth, I’m undecided.
Hillary is not an untried felon. You have been lied to for decades by Fox News.
Investigation after investigation, bipartisan, Republican, and non-partisan, have found her not guilty and not culpable.
There were only TWO emails that were “classified,” and they were improperly marked, so much so that someone glancing at them wouldn’t even have known they were marked that way.
But facts don’t matter to most in the current iteration of a once-noble party. The defunding of public education over 50 years once again raises an ignorant head.
I won’t be sorry to see this GOP go down into the dustheap of history. It happened to the Whigs, and the modern conservative movement has devolved into a joke.
It must be awful to live under such a monstrous pile of denial.
I pray you find a good twelve-step program to deal with your addiction.
I would submit that the bully tactics that have been displayed at Trump rallies and at the last night of the Republican convention, really do send a few messages to those who are not wearing blinders. Support him as is your right and choice, but don’t excuse the hate, fear-mongering and bullying that he and his minions display wherever he goes. Think that isn’t how he will govern?
I’m not as active as you, but I’m leaving the Republican party behind now, too. They were the party that didn’t treat “business” as a dirty word, but I’m so sick and tired of all the other bullshit.
I salute you for your dedication to your principles.
Politics would be a MUCH better place, on all sides, if more people were to do so.
[…] changes, I could consider returning to it. But I am far from the only Republican leaving the party over its recent nomination of Trump and adoption of unwise policies. If it does not make […]
My politics aren’t like yours, but I’ve walked away from stuff before … big important stuff with big personal consequences, because of principle. I know how it feels. You’re doing it right. Enjoy your face in the mirror for the rest of your life, you’ve earned it.
[…] to American Democracy.” And just now a lifetime Republican official from Illinois has put out a resignation statement, saying “A party willing to lend its collective capital to Donald Trump has entered a compromise […]
I congratulate a Republican of such principle, morality, and recognition of the dangers Trump is pushing, including anger and fear, and the lack of science, truth, and attention to the 98% that this new republican party is pushing–besides the divisive xenophobia, racism, facism, and misogynistic message they now bear with Trump as the “leader.” I applaud you, sir, but I am also sorry for your loss of a beloved party you once could support, as did my Mother and Father for many many years.
In the past, as a moderate democrat, I stayed pragmatic in terms of Republicans and judged each of them separately, but when it comes to what republicans have become, I can no longer do that unless someone like Chris Ladd takes the brave step of saying “no more”. It gives me hope that others will take notice and stop the cowardly direction this once Grand old Party represented. I have voted for republicans in the past when I thought they were the better choice, however rare that was, The GOP isn’t the GOP anymore, but a bunch of whining extremists. They need to call themselves something else and leave the GOP to the GOP. Tea partiers, this means you. You are NOT GOP.
We need people in both parties who have the moral commitment to represent their constituencies best interests and not the lobbyists or special interests. People shouldn’t be arm twisted to tow “the party line” in either party or support a position/person that violates this mandate. Kudos to the author for maintaining their personal integrity. If Trump was a Democrat, I wouldn’t be voting for him either. Period!
I applaud your courageous decision and standing by your convictions. It takes great courage not to be a mindless lemming and walking off the cliff with the others. I am a democrat and nothing would make me vote for another democrat if I absolutely disagreed with how they would lead this country.This IS how Hitler came to power. I applaud every republican that has come out to say “enough is enough” especially Mr. Cruz who said it on national television. want you to vote for Hillary to ensure she wins by a landslide to make a point but will respect you voting for a third party or not at all! Bravo to you!
How incredibly important & courageous!. Thank you!
It is very brave of you to not only share this letter, but to send it as well. The fact that you are willing to step down from your position in order to do the right thing is very admirable. Hopefully others in your party will be inspired by your courage and sincere love of country.
GOP has put up loser after loser.
Trump went up against what, 15 other “Great Republicans”?…and crushed them all.
The people are sick and tired of the loser republicans that cave to the dems on everything. Bunch of wuss bags.
The people voted, the people spoke.
“The people are sick and tired of the loser republicans that cave to the dems on everything. Bunch of wuss bags”
Garland got confirmed and I missed it??
I salute your courage. You are the sort of person i would have in mind when i spoke of the Republican Party with respect. I hope you stay active in politics, we need people with your integrity.
My hat is off to the author. It is hard to leave a group that has represented your beliefs for years.
To see the issues that have obviously bothered him for some time: supply-side economic fairy tales, climate change, legislated faith, ideology versus reality… finally culminating in a humanly difficult but rational choice to finally break ties…is a glimmer of hope in a dark age. This is a republican I could sit across a table from, maybe share a beer with, and hammer out some kind of middle ground with. I cannot imagine supporting a republican for anything in this election because of those very same issues.
Perhaps once the country’s convulsion and flirtation with nazi politics is done, if any of us are left alive, should the author decide to stand for president, I’d seriously consider voting for him. He certainly has more integrity, credibility, and intellectual honesty than any republican standing for office in 2016.
I always wondered what a German who voted for hitler in the 30’s told their children about their complicity in bringing that monster to power. I imagine their grief and shame would be terrible to bear. Make no mistake, Trump is cut from the same cloth. I will vote against him. Anyone who cares for their country’s future, for the survival of our world as a habitable place, for freedom itself, will vote against him. Those will vote for him will reap the bitter harvest they sow should they win. We will all lose on that day. But the author can at least tell his children and grandchildren that when evil came and seduced the nation, he stayed true to his country and his principles. I hope there are more like him. And that someday people like him can rise up throw off the extremism of the modern GOP to recover the soul of a once great party.
13 paragraph resignation letter – it was time for you to leave… Just like George Will, Bill Crystal and The National Review – full of yourselves ! Next !
I applaud your integrity to your values and your decision to step away from what the party says. As a liberal, my core values may differ from yours but I respect anybody who makes the decision to respect themselves and common sense over what they are being told to believe by their party’s leadership. Hold true to your values! I will hold true to mine and not vote for Hillary Clinton 🙂