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.
***********
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.
***********
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 
We are at an historic point of national self-examination and re-evaluation. Democrats have their own political housecleaning to do, but never before has a modern American party been so eager to embrace and adopt the xenophobic and integrity-free future where Donald Trump is taking what is no longer the real Republican Party. May your brave breath of clarity and truly American purpose inspire other free-thinking conservatives to restore the Republican Party by preventing the establishment of a feckless Trump dystopia.
Mr. Ladd, I applaud your bravery and rare patriotism by this act. I posted your letter on my FB page this morning with this introduction: “If I could literally beg every person of any political party to read this letter, I would. With so much sentiment flying around on social media that many of our citizens feel that they have no politician left in the race who represents them, I give you the bravery of Chris Ladd as hope that there may still be some people in politics who do. We desperately, wildly need more brave men and women in Washington to love this country enough to take the expected hit on their future prospects as politicians and do exactly what this man has done. This applies to each and every one of us that shake our heads from the sidelines at our culture that is so widely divided at this time. To be silent is to be complicit. We must learn from our mistakes…and do it quickly.”
Ladd’s post ignores by far the most important issue at hand: Trump has obviously sold himself to the highest (foreign) bidder and is literally a traitor against the United States. This is bigger than his racism, xenophobia, and hatred. He is literally selling his country down the river for personal gain. I’m not aware of a greater crime.
Chris, I appreciate your making a stand, but in doing so the republican party has lost you, just the voice they need to bring back sanity to the party. I know that you will be an asset to your community where ever you choose to lead.
Chris, Chris, Chris. You are only at the beginning of shedding your life long delusions about the Republican Party. Your section about Reagan – “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.” – tells me you are still pretty delusional about the Republican agenda. Trump is the logical end game for everything that the utterly incompetent and benignly evil Ronald Reagan put in motion. If you can’t see that, you are still a Republican despite your resignation. Reagan actually created the ultimate destruction of the Republican Party.
If you want Republican heroes, look to the La Follettes and those like them – decent folks whose like has not been seen in the party since Eisenhower.
America’s two party system is crashing because both parties are owned by the elites.
Lest you think I comment from a liberal perspective, I do not. The Democrats are as horrible or worse, since they pretend to care about the very constituency that they manipulate and exploit. The only pols who come close to being as disastrous as Reagan (and the Bush crime family) are the Clintons.
Mr Ladd,
I am an equally disenchanted Democrat from NY, and you have captured the thoughts of a nation of true patriots. How can our respective parties read your words of truth and turn away to business as usual. I am disgusted by the obstructionist practices of both parties, but I agree this candidate is more dangerous than any I have seen in my lifetime, including George Wallace and other fringe players. However, to your point, there is one even more dangerous public servant – the ones who place wisdom and honesty aside to support this candidate. They lend credence to all his insanity, fear and hate.
I congratulate you, and thank you for your courage. You are a true patriot, and I hope your words galvanize voters and public servants on both sides of the aisle. Thank you.
Best,
Tom Helling
Bingo, Tom. It is the mass of uninformed who are supporting Trump that are the true danger, because in affirming someone like Trump, they will achieve something the GOP couldn’t on its own: validate a platform built on hate and fear. And, this mass of people is highly unlikely to learn from its mistakes meaning they will be with us for a long time….many more elections…
Thank you. It give me hope when even one person speaks up and does not comply with the unacceptable.
Very proud of you. Many more should do the same thing. The world and America should live in fear of Donald Trump.
For those of you who do feel the need to resort to vulgarity and taunts, it is important for you to understand that most readers find your comments distracting and immediately pass over them to move on to the next thoughtful comments. Just as we do not want to experience that behavior from any political candidate, we do not want to experience them here.
The downside of a lot of sudden traffic is that a certain percentage will be trolls. However, they have been far, far outnumbered by the intelligent and thoughtful comments. We have two standards here: 1) Be polite, especially when you don’t agree 2) You had better be prepared to back up anything and everything you say, because you will be challenged by people who are paying attention.
Good girl!
I have read and re-read your letter and can feel your sense of loss. Can the GOP regain its soul? This did not come from 12mths ago with Trump’s announcement but perhaps 8 years ago when the status quo changed and gave birth to the right wing fringe calling itself the Tea Party which hijacked the party and it seems common sense and any moral sense fled through the window in the pursuit of blind obstructionism.
Reagan said “I did not leave the Democratic Party the Democratic Party left me”
Can the GOP regain its soul?
The Tea Party caucus was created in 2010 by Michelle Bachman and has effectively brought down the GOP. Now that it has created a monster the whole party suffers. Maybe now they will get some sense about them. The TP needs to start their own party.
I think the Tea Party is its own party. Or more correctly it is the Kochs and the other puppet masters that took disenfranchised and impotent individuals and dressed them ,organized them and sent them to take over a moribund party ,which has lacked a moral and intellectual compass for 30 years.
Trump is offering simplistic solutions to problems that have a hundred years in the making.
America was made “great” by it’s huge natural resource base and by it’s inexhaustable supply of immigrant labour willing to bear any burden.
The best analogy to explain Trump’s appeal is to look at a drunk.
A drunk only wants another drink and you make him/her happy by giving him/ her one.
A drunk knows that he/she risks losing their job,home, family and self respect but none of that matters. If he/she can just have one more drink reality will
mever have to be faced.
A “sobering” analogy, John.
I always wondered where the intelligent, principled Republicans were hiding out. Thanks for this. All people across the political spectrum have to join together to defeat not just Trump, but the bigotry, xenophobia and irrationalism that has infected a large segment of American culture and politics for far too long.
Wow, there are some descent intelligent conservatives out there. You could have fooled me.
Oh of course. If and when a Republican stabs his own party in the back. Blames today’s new Republican members for the sins of the old Rinos from the past. Laments over the loss of Liberal bedfellows like John Boehner, Arlen Spector, Eric Cantor and Jeb Bush who are being replaced one by one. And then slanders the new sheriff in town. He will be praised by the left. The new kid on the block who is hated by both parties because he shines a light on the extreme corruption and deceitfulness of both sides. Whenever a republican take sides with the left in attacking the right he changes from a Catapillar into a beautiful liberal butterfly . Do these things and the left will always praise you and award you with a ticker tape parade. The only problem is. Americans aren’t falling for it anymore. Hillary didn’t beat Sanders. She stole the election from him. What does that tell you? The GOP tried to do the same thing with Trump. Go ahead. So go ahead. You want this Rino? You can have him. And we will replace him with legions of former Democrats and Bernie supporters who are already joining the rest of us in breaking away from the Matrix.
“John Boehner, Arlen Spector, Eric Cantor and Jeb Bush who are being replaced one by one.”
If you think those guys are liberals(!), you are a RWNJ from another galaxy.
” And then slanders the new sheriff in town. ”
It’s not slander if it’s true. There are thing said about Trump that are worse than anything Chris has said, and they are true. Trump is not a good person.
Look at the vote totals.
Hillary beat Sanders by 3 million votes. She has 15 million to his 12.
Trump only has 13 million.
We don’t need more liberals – we do need sensible conservatives to either come up with a new party or throw the delusional out of theirs.
As for the people you call liberals- really, care to explain why? Eric Cantor? John Boehner? Arlen Spector as a Republican was named one of the ten best Senators in the Senate. When you let a tea party Republican take him out in the primary, you lost the seat. Jeb Bush? You wouldn’t be talking about no Hispanics voting for Republicans if Jeb was your candidate.
As for “You want this Rino?” Yes, as a Democrat who leans progressive, we would be proud to have Chris Ladd EVEN THOUGH I doubt he agrees with most of what I believe. Because honest & integrity is always welcome.
Abraham the GOP has been successfully hijacked by the Tea Party. There are no ‘liberal’ republicans. Donald Trump is a clear and present danger to this country. His base consists of disillusioned, uneducated people who are in desperate need of a demagogue and they got one. Trump is the final nail in the GOP coffin. It’s too bad that some of the sane republicans have allowed this to happen.
Admirably articulate and well reasoned letter.It is heartening to see that all reason has not died and that the poison that is spreading among us has been bested by truth.
The simple answer is that America has had one big party for a hundred years.
There has been no intelligent planning for the future which is now here
John, given the fact that so few are qualified much less prepared to plan for the future that is here, what confidence do you have that they can select a President who can lead the way?
Really? So building the highway system in the 1950s just happened? Going to the moon and putting a lot of money in new technologies just happened? The Internet just happened?
As for the one big party nonsense, as a woman, I can tell you who tries to legislate my healthcare choices, who cuts funding for education, who wants to give corporations the right to poison my water. It ain’t the Democrats.
(It didn’t used to be the Republicans either as a monolith but that’s changed.)
(-;
Hope is restored. I thought there was not one intelligent ,moral,unselfish Republican left. I may not agree in all policies of GOP but in choosing this candidate as their representative I have lost all respect for Republicans in general.
Trump appeals to the female voter:
http://www.rawstory.com/2016/07/trump-stands-by-roger-ailes-he-really-helped-those-women-who-are-complaining/?utm_source=fark&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=im&utm_tracker=1737131×84899
So sexual harassment is OK as long as you pay the victims?
So is infidelity, aka “adultery”….as the Trump EX’s found out. Trump got more stingy after Ivana got even (Lotsa $$$). Marla got a mere $1.9 M. I don’t attribute it to Trump getting smarter but hiring a smarter attorney. What a scumbag. And, this adulterer is acceptable to Evangelicals?
I am so happy to hear a voice of reason coming from a party that has lost its soul. While a lifelong Democrat I have to say that there have been many Republicans that I have admired. When George Will left the party I knew then that the party was indeed over. RIP GOPM
Trump’s response to the speeches given by Clinton and Kaine:
“Just saw Crooked Hillary and Tim Kaine together. ISIS and our other enemies are drooling”
Truly one of the great political minds of all time. ISIS certainly is drooling. I have to wonder if Trump is starting to.
Nicely done. York Twp. resident here, I’ve voted local Repub since Reagan but could not stomach the thought of anyone riding The Donald’s coattails. I’m not a fan of his opponent but possibility of him winning is enough to make me vote all Democratic for the first time ever. I hope a crushing defeat makes the Republican Party take a step back and figure out from scratch what its principles are.
Good for you, Stan. Here’s something that might make the medicine go down a little better.
http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/288740-clinton-maps-out-first-100-days
Oh. My. Word! You’ve got to be kidding. I believe both parties are a total bust but to vote for more of the two evils is utter stupidity. Period.
Your call, but how will you reconcile which of the two dominant candidates is the worst? If you vote 3rd party, that is a vote against Trump and/or Clinton, but one of them is going to win. Do you not think one is better than the other? Because that’s what you’re going to have to live with.
Don’t be silly, mime, of course they won’t have to live with it. They are the pure of heart.
Any more than the folks who voted for Nader or Perot ever admit responsibility for the outcomes of those elections.
I am a liberal. Contrary to common belief, we are not overjoyed with the drift of the GOP towards the extreme right. But we’re even less pleased with its fragmentation to the point where a dialog with it is no longer possible. The last thing this country needs is only one functioning party; the GOP needs to become that provides a reasonable foil to the Democrats. If there are more conservatives who feel like you do, there may be some hope that the GOP may return with a core of rational people with whom compromise is possible.
Sure there are lots of challenges and problems to solve. But Trump is not the savior, just the opposite. The “king” has no clothes. The only thing scarier than the doomsday scenario painted at last week’s GOP reality-TV convention is if DJT becomes the resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
You are an idiot who writes well. If you are watching what Hillary is doing, you know that she and Obama are psychologically manipulating the poorest and the most naive Americans. Their stance is for globalization at the cost of the American way of life. Go ahead and have your little tantrum, but in the end, you will find you were absolutely on the wrong side of history. Nobody is so blind as a person who refuses to see.
Yet you think Trump actually understands what the little guy experiences and really has a coherent plan to help the people left behind by economic changes.
Look who is calling who an idiot. I am republican and can clearly see that Trump has the power to destroy the World. Never once did Ladd say he was in support of Clinton, just that he could no longer stand by and watch the Republican Party give Trump the highest power in our country that he will surely abuse. Obviously, by your choice to name call and berate, you are well aligned with Trump’s character, or should I say lack there of. God help us all that this is the path we chose to go down. God help us all.
Mr. Ladd, Congratulations on speaking your mind while so many others stand and watch. I shutter to think what will become of our lives and those of our children if Trump is elected. I am sick at the thought.
At this point in time I fear it will take a miracle for us to elect a leader of character and good intent. I will continue to pray for a miracle.
To be clear, Amy, Chris Ladd has stated he will vote for HRC. Not because he cares for her personally but because she is experienced, competent and will do the least harm. As a “former” Republican, he will hold his nose and vote for Hillary because he knows she is worlds better than Donald Trump. Read through his archives and you will see his reasoning for voting for Hillary.
Says Steve, who refuses to see that the whole Trump act is a psychological manipulation and has fallen for it. Talk about idiots who refuse to see. Sad.
This quote bears repeating:
“Trump is a loser’s idea of what a winner looks like.”
THINK people!!!
On this blog, we don’t simply throw out statements like “she (Hillary) and Obama are manipulating the poorest and most naive Americans”, we do the work of supporting our assertion. As for globalization – like it or not, our world is interconnected and increasingly so every year. To deny that is to deny the internet. What’s critical is that we embrace globalization wisely. I’m much more confident that H can achieve this than a man whose only goal in life has been to make money for himself.
Here’s a homework assignment: Find Trump’s First 100 Day Plan…and then compare it with Hillary’s. Then compare their platform and not just what they “want” to do but “how” they plan to achieve it.
IOW, THINK!
http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/288740-clinton-maps-out-first-100-days
Steve, while I know some conservatives like to believe that the Democratic party is made up of people on welfare, you need to look at stats.
1. Blue states are better off financially, pay more into the federal government than they take out; have higher rates of high school graduation and lower rates of abortion, illegitimacy & drug use.
2. The higher the level of education,the more likely the person is to vote Democratic or progressive.
3. Republicans at least in the least few election cycles are more likely to be working class than upper class and less likely to have a high school degree. And overwhelmingly since Bush’s second election, they are more likely to be white.
I’m curious what stats you’re looking at that makes you think you’re on the right side of history. Because the demographics alone and the polls among millenial voters say you’re wrong.
Love the internet. One can find almost anything, such as this artistic gem.
https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/12933012_261144720887783_5928795403493885265_n.jpg?oh=1c01aa59d17f99287686c4df80c35bea&oe=57EB4D28
Trump is like a clown, doing all silly dumb foolish things to make us laugh. Then we found that he had broke our hearts and hope about ourselves. It makes all of us wail.
I voted for Nixon in ’68 but have been a diehard Democrat since then. I am very liberal.
You letter is the best written letter from Republican Party member about Trump. You nailed it 100%. Thank you for sharing this with me.
Mr. Ladd, I applaude you for speaking your true conscience. Everything you wrote is so true! What kind of people are we that we know something is not right and yet we go along with the status quo? Clearly, Donald Trump, I say is like the ant- Christ, stirring up trouble, lying every time he speaks on anything, and yet folks are just eating it all up. You have to be sick in the head to support, endorse or vote for this person. Where are the real Christians here? God help us. I wish the best in your future endeavors. Your conscience is clear! God bless you Chris! Much admiration for you standing up for right!
Trump offers a perfect life, a perfect way of living. But how? I found his speech to be Hitleresq. That can be tempting because it offers people a way to blame others for their woes rather than looking inward to a self examination to determine how their life can be better by personally doing something about it. The easy way out is very tempting. But creating fear and living in fear is destructive and more stressful than the problem itself.
Greetings from Australia. Chris, your sentiments and characterisations regarding Trump and the GOP are.precisely how very many Aussies see things in your world. Most concerning to us is the horrifying prospect, often postulated here lately, that Trump will prevail simply on the basis of greater voter turnout. Would be interested to know if that is a likely scenario.
Regardless, greatly admire your integrity. Good luck.
I will say this. After listening to Senator Tim Kaine he reflects what service really is about. He started as a young man traveling, learning abt other cultures, and appreciated his faith. He didn’t expect to be served, but to service his fellowman in the world. He fought for injustices, and unfairness, he’s a lawyer. They seem to be better suited for President and Vice Presidential positions. When you become a politician, it should mean you are more willing to serve. Not turn away from helping humankind. I listened to MSNBC’S show abt Hillary’s life compared to Donald Trump’s life and the differences couldn’t be more stark. Hillary isn’t the best (we’re all flawed) but after watching Trump for the past year, she sure ain’t the worse. God bless you Chad. Just vote your conscience!! You’re halfway there.
Cook County
Whoa! Welcome to Freedom.
I’m not American but have a deep interest in polilitics. I’ve followed the American Presidential campaign with interest and am bewildered by the fact that so many people are backing Trump.
Reading Mr Ladd’s resignation letter was an eye-opener. He has clearly had enough – not, note, of his local party but of the arrogant bombast of a man who thinks insults and mindless rhetoric are a qualification for the role of POTUS.
I applaud Mr Ladd and hope that many more people in the Republican Party will realise the danger of their continued support of the egomaniac, Trump.
I should add that I am unconvinced by Mrs Clinton’s campaign & that she may just be the lesser of two evils. I would have liked to have seen Mr Sanders gain the Democratic nomination as he, to me, seems to embody what is truly great among Americans – the ability to bring people together to work for the greater good of all Americans.
Good luck to you, Mr Ladd – may you enjoy many more years serving your community.
Neither party put up its best candidate and that is sad. I think the political thought for Hillary is she paid her dues and it is her time. Americans are tired of the same old politics and politicians and that is why Trump won his nomination, i think. People rarely want to take blame for their woes and want the easy way out, blame someone else. Trump offers that easy way out.
That is bunk! Hillary Clinton has been battered and beaten up by Republicans for years. Everyone needs to look at what she can actually bring to this table. Republicans and their “made up” fights are over.
I’m going to be posting this a lot to all the “unread” comments. Just as you say, JJ…
http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/288740-clinton-maps-out-first-100-days
Maybe it’s time to re-examine those old opinions. I offer you one seriously organized, competent CIC:
http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/288740-clinton-maps-out-first-100-days
NONE of them are worthy of the position! NONE! AND assuming you are speaking from a socialistic background, at the very least, your opinion of Sanders could be more wrong! We Americans are NOT looking for socialism and certainly not communism.
Chris Ladd,
You are the change I want to see in the world. Your party was targeted in the 80’s and hijacked several cycles ago by an extremist religious group who say they speak for the Christian moral authority in this country, when in fact they do not. What’s even more disturbing and terrifying about this faction is they’ve gotten a stranglehold on our government despite America being founded on religious freedom. They’ve lied for so long the younger generations actually believe the absurdity. How can someone vote the Donald into the presidency? Because they’re told to. To see you say enough is enough, gives this lifelong Democrat a sliver of hope. I would love to see you invite other level headed Republicans to clear their conscience and do the same, Dump Trump.
Bravo Chris Ladd!!
Chris Lad…… BRAVO
I applaud your willingness to take a stand, and am glad to hear that you are receiving so many supportive responses. While I have little hope the Republican Party can truly recover from this travesty of an election, it does give me some hope that there are still good, decent conservatives who will maybe chart a new path forward.
Voting Donald Trump into power will be the equivalent of our Jacob Zuma, good luck to you America, and the rest of the world!!
I write a theology/volunteerism blog and all I can say is this is one of the most well-written pieces I have ever seen.
With the kind of talent you have for writing and your obvious intelligence I think you should still stay very involved in politics and social service.
We need more people daring to dream big and bringing their god given talents to bear fruit for themselves and neighbor.
🙂
– The Smiling Pilgrim
Treat yourself and go through Lifer’s archives. This piece, while heart felt and a long time coming, is typical of the quality of his writing. His piece on the south is my favorite, but there are many, many others. Ladd also has a book entitled, “The Politics of Crazy”, that you might enjoy.
Thanks friend, I actually stayed up quite late reading his material. As you said it is quite incredible 🙂
Only downside is staying up till 3:30 am takes quite a toll on my body hah
You gotta pace yourself, my friend! I will say that I think Lifer set a new comment record with his resignation post. I didn’t know he had so many followers – most of whom I hope will continue to follow him, the others, meh.
He has some great insights for sure. I disagree with some of the focus he puts on some issues but overall I don’t think anyone can disagree that he is articulate and raises important points. Very important in some cases.
He lost me at climate denying. Since when do people call to dine others against a theory that become more untenable by the year, Pushed by a corrupt UN. If you fall for this its best you leave. The Republicans have enough Rhino’s that did nothingh in the Seasnte or House ,but lick Obama’s boots on every policy. What you want is a one party state not plurality.
Holy fuck are you the exact brand of imbecile this man is decrying. PS, no H in RINO, you fucking idiot. Enjoy the few years before your death, you asinine relic.
Disagree if you must but save that language and insults for other sites. We don’t do that here.
I’m so proud of everyone in Lifer’s “family”…….
Your language is not welcome on this blog. We don’t need vulgarity and meanness to make intelligent argument sir. Leave.
The GOP lost me when they started catering to anti-intellectual science deniers like you.
This dude must live at 10000 feet….where a rising tide and lack of oxygen combine to reinforce delusions while helping keep one’s feet dry.
Deny all you want about the earth’s warming…but it’s a fact that it is and it’s getting worse year by year.
Chris I read your letter with much interest. You see. I was once a young Republican .even their president ..in a southwestern Illinois county…..Montgomery. But in 1976 I felt abandoned and misled ..plus I was more moderate to liberal than most in the GOP. I am now older ..hopefully wiser and have been a Precinct Committee member in my Democrat group since 1996 and 1 st vice chair since 2014. We are in frightening time s with the GOP nominee an d must work diligently to end the menace he represents… Please consider joining with me. a former GOP er ..and help democrat s in November
Cutting and running isn’t what Texans do…but you’ve been gone a long time. Trump never gave up. You shouldn’t either.
Trump never gave up? 5 Bankruptcies? 3 Marriages? Seriously, what does not give up mean to you? Far as I can see he never gives up his long game of lies and looking out for number one. You can bet he never will. Is that what you and your fellow supporters expect of a public servant? And that’s what a president is, someone ENTRUSTED to SERVE the country. Think about it for just a moment, fellow citizen.
A concerned Conservative.
I think Paul means Trump never gave up his tax returns. What with the fraudulent real estate schemes and lying about the value of his properties and all.
Another point this mini-me-mussolini needs to have his feet held to the fire.
Where the hell are the tax returns? And no bullcrap about being audited.
Are you kidding me? He was robbed the small businessman every chance he gets so accumulate his questionable wealth. Yeah, he didn’t give up; he found a way to get over on everybody. I’m from NYC and here we see him as for what he really is since we have had first hand experience with him for many years.
Indeed this is true, I had a good friend who worked installing marble in Trump Towers in 1982, he was not paid for his work.
We need these contractors to speak out. Trump is getting by with this deceitful behavior. Be an agent of awareness and encourage more to share their stories.
Pass the word, Hugo. Try to be as specific as you can. Mark Cuban on his interview this Friday on CNBC, commented on Trump’s lack of interest in helping the small business man. He refused to get specific but Cuban has let loose on Trump with all guns firing and if ever there is a man who is self-made, is helping other small entrepreneurs, Cuban is it. Go to Cuban’s FB and you will be able to learn more about how he “feels” about Trump.
GOTV. It’s critical.
You don’t want to start a discussion of what Texans do. I live there and I watch with amazement and horror at the arrogant disregard for millions of its people. Be careful with your assertions. Some of us here know better about Texas and about Chris Ladd.
Good riddance…don’t let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya
Fred Mercury says: :Good riddance…don’t let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya”
Quality contribution to the discussion. Thanks.
freturepre@thraml.com Now that’s a joke if ever…
A comment troll appropriates the stage name of the gay immigrant from an islamic sultanate whose music Trump walked out to on night one of the convention.
THANKS, FRED, FOR REMINDING US TRUMP IS A FAG.
It appears a little repetition is in order:
Disagree if you must but save that language and insults for other sites. We don’t do that here.
I’m not an American so every time I comment on the US political process, I do so knowing that I am a little bit of an usurper. However it cannot be claimed that the US president has nothing to do with the rest of us… rightly or wrongly, who is POTUS has a very real consequence in the lives of many others… see the Iraqis for example.
This US election season has been the most bizarre one yet. As a foreigner, I have often felt that both major parties were slightly flawed, and that ideological purity seemed to matter more than facts on the ground but overall despite some extremes, it worked well enough. This year though I can’t help but wonder how a man who is empty of even that ideological purity and lacking in any real convictions beyond self aggrandisement has managed to capture the most ideologically bent party without IMHO holding any of their positions. And he has done this without even having to explain how he would accomplish the things he espouses. The man is so obvious a fraudster and a charlatan that one cannot but look on with trepidation for what it means should he ever set foot in the White House and get a hold of those Nuclear launch codes… and Americans would have us worry about the ambitions of a neutered Russia and Putin. This is a guy who responds childishly to criticism and yet throws out personal attacks and insults. Who cannot stand to be challenged and has a narcissistic streak a mile wild.
The only historical comparison I can think of to his rise would be Hitler… Don’t get me wrong, the buffoon is no Hitler. Hitler fought in WWI and was a true ideologue and demagogue but he was elected to office after coming out of jail following his inept failed putsch based on populist, nationalist rantings and appealing to peoples fears about enemies near and far. His ideas were crazy but initially seemed to work but of course once he was close to being found out, he had no compunction about resorting to war.
Trump appears to be a hollow man committed to building a brand based on lies, tricks, falsehoods and empty glitz. Any one who delves beneath the surface appearance can see this, why can’t the American people?
So this write up feels me with a little hope. Maybe enough people left and right will gang up to defeat this clown and his fear mongering. More people have died due to Islamist terrorism in my country than the US has lost in wars following Vietnam and yet we live peacefully with our fellow muslims and we don’t think they’re all out to get us. How the US can be so consumed with fear is beyond me~
Technospeak ~ everything you’ve said is exactly what I have feared the GOP backing Drumpf would do, shown the rest of the world how stupid Americans really are. My whole life I’ve heard ‘foreigners’ say “it’s not that I don’t like America, I think the people are great, it’s their government that’s terrible.” Well. Now the world is realizing “Shit! What the hell are they thinking?! Who in their right mind would vote for this clown??” And the very sad and pathetic answer is, half the people in America apparently. It disgusts me to even think about it, but to see it in black and white as I type this, it breaks my heart as well. I’ve tried to live my life by being the change I want to see in the world, and now my country depends on that. On ALL of us who are willing to do the same, making the necessary changes in our lives to contribute how and what we can. Anyone interested in joining me?
Technospeak, I’m having a bout of amnesia so I may as well write. The problem I’m having is the same, but a larger problem I see is infecting our new voters 18 years old with the “purge” going on inside Trump’s head. My 2 grandsons will be voting (allegedly) this fall. One 18 one 23, they both have elementary school friends of another race. So, what are we saying to them abt this country and the world, which is global, abt our beliefs in other people unlike ourselves. I heard one of their friends say he’s voting for Trump. I said nothing. He’s been in our family circle since he was 7 or 8. I felt bad for him. It wasn’t my place to discuss it with him. Hopefully the adults in the room will protect him.
Cook County
Tracy, find a quiet time and ask your grandsons to think about the responsibility and privilege of voting. Then ask them what preparation they plan to make in order to cast their very first vote. Offer to help them if they want it but more important is to explain that voting is a serious act and one they need to prepare for just as they would an SAT or GRE exam. Then, after they’ve compared the candidates history, qualification, platform (?) and experience, then they should be able to make a decision they will be proud of when they sit down with their grandsons in later years. (from a grandma with an 18 year old grandson)
Outstanding commentary, Techno. Hope you’ll stick around for the “politicalorphans” blog. For what it’s worth, there are many within America who share your views and concerns. I do not buy the American exceptionalism argument – great country? Certainly, but he “only” great country on this planet? Nada. If you think about it broadly, isn’t world peace more assured if there are many “great” countries on our globe? Of course, people make countries great, or not. And we have many examples both good and bad of success and failure. Trump represents a real litmus test for the U.S. We can abandon all pretense of caring about equality or we can embrace the harder road of inclusion, fairness, and opportunity for all. I, for one, have chosen the latter and hope this will prevail in the coming election. God help us all if the majority has chosen the more narrow path.
Wow! That letter is heart wrenching. It proves the resilience of morality and bravery.
I am SO impressed with your integrity and truth.
Can we please “duplicate” you?.
If more people have your moral courage then Trump can be beaten.
If not, God save Us All and we may never know peace again!
I applaud you and your decision, I am horrified by what is happening in the Republican Party and for the first time I feel that I just may volunteer to register voters for the Democratic Party!
Very well stated, Alan.
Sounds to me, it may be time in the best interest of the party that you are resigning. The people are speaking, out with the old and in with the new!
It is too bad the people that have spent so much time in politics couldn’t see that we, as a Nation are in trouble. Thank goodness Trump is sacrificing,and jeopardizing, changing his life from doing something he loves to do to spend his time serving the American people.
That is the most ridiculous post on Trump I’ve read (since about # 600) today. Trump – sacrificing? The man who gives interviews on a “golden” chair? Trump is in this for his ego. If you think for one minute that he is running as a patriot, well, I just can’t help you.
Trump is in this for the MONEY. The contracts he can steer to cohorts and family shell companies. It will also insulate him from most of the lawsuits and prosecutions that are being brought against him. Plus there are all those juicy book and speaking engagements and all of that fine insider knowledge from the legislators’ committees he’ll be plugged into.
Not to mention lobbyist jobs for the kids… He has seen the goldmine and it could be his if we aren’t careful and get out the vote.
He wants to “serve the American people” but he can’t be bothered to keep up with current events? Or release his tax returns? Or divulge any details of how he would do everything he claims he’ll do? He serves no one but himself.
A slight disagreement- Trump doesn’t need more money. His habit of paying himself gigantic sums while ripping off the people who trust him is legend.
But no- I think Trump wants to be SEEN as President, not do the actual job. Like his stupid building projects- he’s basically just trying to put his name in bigger letters.
He is pathological in his need to be liked. That’s why he shrivels like a little bitch when faced with problems like Seth Meyers poking fun at him at a white house correspondents dinner. (Where everyone gets roasted and MOST can handle it.)
It’s why he runs, dodges and crumbles like a cheap grade concrete when reporters point out something he said isn’t true.
But Trump has no intention of actually doing the job. So you self-proclaimed conservatives are actually voting for President Pence- a stone moron who doesn’t understand the separation of church and state.
PS: you asses- if you have ever foamed at the mouth saying ‘they can’t tell ME I gotta live under Muslim laws!!!!’ then congratulations- you understand the need for the separation of church and state better then President Pence.
Trump… as unchristian a man as has ever lived. Greed, Wrath, Envy, Pride…
Honestly I’d LOVE to see what the hypocrites in the GOP would have said if Obama had come out one stage with five kids by three wives and four bankruptcies to his credit.
One thing is for sure, a President Trump would never be able to meet the Daily Briefing schedule at 10 am…That comb-over takes time….Gonna be some changes in that “white” house…hmm, “gold” house? Lots of gilding jobs soon available….Oh, he’s not going to actually Live in the WH? OMG! All presidents have lived there. OH, I see, Trump is different. Right. Damn!
You are foolish to think that Mr Trump doesn’t have his own interests in mind in running for the office of President.
I heard about Trump’s strong arm tactics to get NATO to pay their fair share. The NATO TREATY allows for those countries to come to the aid of the US too. They came together for us in the Iraq War, they’re called allied forces. Anyway, Trump is nothing more than a petty theif. The motivation for Trump’s campaign run is to get his hands on treasure…watch the federal reserves vaults. Watching you!
Chris, Sandra is kindly providing another data point in support of your conclusion. You should thank her.
Are you serious? You are being sarcastic?
Lining his own pockets and feeding his enormous ego is all that interests the Republican candidate. His has seen his ilk before it is only the extreme ignorance of his supporters and their utter terror of being perceived as a liberal that has allowed him to gain the nomination. Please to all of you that purport to love our wonderful country. Please invest some of your time studying our history rather than blindingly following the misguided and misleading pronouncements of the Fox Network that serves as the propaganda arm of the Koch Brothers. There is much that is so good and Noble of our blessed nation that is overlooked to promote the interests of the few over the needs of the many. May God in his infinite wisdom give you the strength to seek the truth and turn away from the abomination that has become the Republic Party’s candidate. Ask yourself, who would Jesus want as leader of the greatest nation on earth.
THIS.
Trumped should keep his day job.
Who are you kidding? Trump picked Pence, who obviously does not subscribe to the same as Trump, to actually run the office. Trump hasn’t the first clue how to interact appropriately with people in his own country. Can you imagine how he will interact with Leaders of other countries? Who hasn’t Trump bashed and alienated? No one. Including you and me. Women. It sickens me to think someone with so much hate in his heart may soon be in America’s highest seat of power. Have you heard of Hitler? Stalin? We are in a sad state if we are putting our faith in a man who shares so many characteristics of these and other similar ‘leaders’. Sad indeed.
This gives me a sliver of hope! Thank you Chris Ladd for standing for those who choose to be constructive & inclusionary to build new possibilities, rather than those who are choosing to succumb to the fear mongering and the illusion that just “hoping it will blow over” or being isolationistic or antagonistic will be good enough or make us safer. I just hope your like minded colleagues who may have initially felt they could not speak out will find the courage to do so for the sake of those who may misinterpret their complacency and lack of outward opposition as sincere belief in this madman your former party has chosen.
Thank you! While I’m ideologically aligned to your left, I recognize the necessity of a vibrant and creative Conservative party to help provide balance and checks in the laboratory of democracy. Your letter fills me with hope, something in short supply these days. Your postscript mentioning the support from fellow republicans is encouraging.
Please help form a new conservative party anchored in the world of facts and commuted to positive government.
100% agree with your statement. Donald Trump will provide a new Conservative party that will not be about politics pandering, but about making America Great and putting Americans 1st.
Will you please pull your head out of your ass. Read the interview with Tony Schwartz in New Yorker. Please for your country.
Since when has America not been great? This line we are being fed, is pure unadulterated Nationalism, in it’s most negative form. This country doesn’t need to be told we are not great, we know we are! And we are not together in this to try to be something bigger, or greater. The principals are all here. A more fitting slogan for a republican conservative candidate is Make America Civil and United Again, because for sure, we have issues there. Even with those issues, we are the most powerful military force ever known, the greatest innovators, and the most dynamic when it comes to our ability TO unite. Isolationism at this time is a huge mistake and the sign of weak thinking in terms of international relations. Any school kid can see it. People, wake the heck up!!
A concerned Conservative
What a chicken shit. The same rules that nominated all of our previous losers were still in place. Your ilk lost so you cut and run while we supported the crap the repubs crammed down our throats. Good riddance. You elitists are so stupid to not realize you got us to this point. You sanctimonious asshole!
Mr. Simpson, We don’t resort to vulgarity and taunts on Lifer’s blog. We actually are pretty civil though spirited, and we are rather insistent on commentators supporting their views with real data, not slurs. You are not welcome here with that attitude.
The people chose, sure, if by the people you mean a plurality of a small minority of voters. But they chose poorly.
You are the asshole. It took real integrity to withdraw from the GOP. He spent decades with them. But cannot be party to what is going on. The convention was like a Nazi rally in the 1940’s. Your too chicken shit to see it. It’s okay to be mistaken. It’s not okay to stay that way. That is when mistaken becomes wrong.
I agree with 1mime. Let’s respect the author and keep it civil here, people. Really, we are still, The UNITED States of America!
A concerned Conservative.
With you on this one ,he a asshole ,lost sense of REALITY
Leave. We don’t communicate with vulgarity on this blog.
Here is my reply which I hope gets printed in the reply section on the internet and emailed to all those who did reply : Thanks.
I signed up to reply to the Republican who moved from Texas to Chicago and resigned from the Republican Party because of Donald Trump. I had no idea that in registering and replying that I would receive over 100 or more emails from all who replied. They are still coming! I wish all of you well, whose emails I received. I hope that you receive this one. It’s a revelation to me to see that most of the replies to the GOP Resignation Letter are from people who support Hillary/Bill, those who have joined the leftward Progressive movement of the Democrat Party. And probably several from some Republicans, too. The anti-Trump pro Hillary movement is a very scary movement because it’s a movement away from the America of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, the original law of the new government established by our Founders, which Ben Franklin, Tom Jefferson, John Adams and George Washington and the others thought was being written forever in indelible ink. In 1980 I supported a has-been movie actor. I liked what he said and he made good speeches. I became a charter member of the Reagan Crazies, which is what Reagan supporters were called then by the Republican Establishment then. Sound familiar today?. If you are saying you cant vote for Trump because of his personality quirks, I say you giving an extra vote to Clinton self enrichment and the Saul Alinsky/Marx political machine, There must be something good about Trump…didn’t he have something to do with his beautiful and brilliant family? A man who loves his family like Donald could not be a mean person. How did Donald come back from his failed youthful business gambles that almost took him down? How did he restart building and make billions building hotels, golf courses and venues for people to enjoy their lives? Isnt Donald responsible for all the good things that happened to him and his family and to so many women and men who worked in his businesses? Wasn’t his toughness and dedication to making the sale and getting the job finished that did it? He didn’t do it by being a nice politically correct person waiting for something good to happen. I wish I could have been his partner too. I will Vote for ABH (Anybody But Hillary). And, on November 9, all Rs will be saying ‘Thanks, Donald’. Cant wait to read all the yowls to this email from all you people who have a different opinion, and let me say I am glad we have the right to express different opinions, and, say thanks to our Founders and their brilliance in organizing a new government. Lets keep it the way it was founded please! The only other thing I can say about the Donald v, HillaryBill campaign is: THE ANSWER OF THE QUESTION OF WHO TO VOTE FOR IS IN ONLY THREE LITTLE WORDS: THE SUPREME COURT. Lets give Reaganism another chance. By the way the strong economy from Reagan Days through 9/11 and the start of the Islamist Terrorist war resulted from the Reagan Revolution and we need to revisit the economic reforms of the Reagan Years.
Gene Ames, Jr.
gamesjr33@gmail.com
210-414-4030 (cell)
If you think Donald Trump is another Reagan, you, sir, will have a big shock coming. Reagan at least had been the governor of a major US state. People who knew him personally liked Reagan.
Doesn’t Donald Trump love his family? I don’t know. No man in my family ever felt the need to pat my ass like I was a Hooter waitress. That’s doesn’t say love to me. None of his kids work in their own field. That doesn’t say well raised, independent kids to me. He arranged a series of soft porn shots for his then girlfriend now wife – I can’t think of any man I know- liberal, conservative, old, young – who would have put his future wife in porn. The term we use for men like that is panderer and pimp. It certainly doesn’t say love and respect to me.
Donald Trump has suggested breaking one of our oldest and most important treaties (NATO); defaulting on the credit of the United States and putting limits on the freedom of the press and freedom of speech if people disagree with him. What part of that suggests to YOU that he understands & would protect our Constitution?
As for giving Reaganism another chance, sorry. I watched it as Reagan’s policies first set out to divide this country and to gut the middle class. His policies worked. We’re divided and the middle class is at its weakest since the Gilded Age. Let’s try something better.
Yes!
I suppose I should be treading lightly, here, as my lots aren’t cast in with one party or another.
On the other hand, if I speak my mind, no one can accuse me of trolling. At least I’m not trying to lead anyone on.
I feel I can see what’s happening with Trump. For some time, now, the post-war Republican Party has been the party of foreign rollback, followed by stateside rollback.
While the Repubs may have been, at first, a bit surprised at the Trump ascendancy, I think a few sips of port in a smoky room brought some clarity.
Trump *is* what the Republican Party’s been aiming for, for a long, long time. Trump was in the cards, and now he’s here.
In their hearts, Republicans know what their real goal is; “…the last and greatest betrayal of the last and greatest of human dreams.”
You can tell because Trump seems to have brought them back to rest on the bedrock truth of their politics. And the bedrock truth is this: That thing we struggle to achieve? Trump will serve that, just fine. I suppose it’d be nice to have someone more statesmanlike to perform this essential function, but the goal is the important thing. Trump will serve that goal just as well as Bush II did, in his time.
This letter is going around leftish blogs, like it’s some kind of repudiation of the GOP. Trump is a fulfillment of the GOP. The saddest part of this letter is the part where the writer appears to decry that Trump will (certainly?(!)) lose, which in turn heralds the loss of the Oval Office from GOP control. First of all, I think he’s wrong. I’m pretty sure Trump’s going to win. The question will then be one of whether the writer of this resignation letter will feel better or worse after that win.
If he feels better, he’s just a good Republican. That is to say; a bad republican (which makes him a damn Good Republican).
I’m interested as to “why” you think Trump will win.
I salute your integrity and courage in the face this ridiculous hijacking of the Republican party! A true patriot will stand up and fight what he knows in his heart is wrong! Even if his fight is unpopular and potentially alienating. Bravo!
Hey, don’t forget the “I just can’t take it any more” part (-; There is that…….