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 
Like Mr. Barnes, above, I did not know of the existence of this blog until my husband forwarded me the Huff Post’s publication of Mr. Ladd’s recent resignation letter. It almost brought me to tears. My husband often jokes that I am a “Republican in sheep’s clothing,” because, while identifying myself as a Democrat, I feel that I *should* be a Republican. I am pro-life, socially and fiscally conservative… but I *cannot* belong to a party that denies the science of global warming. To ignore the dangers we face there alone is to demonstrate such recklessness, such poor risk management… it is the opposite of what a conservative should do.
But, I digress. Mr. Ladd, your article was nothing short of heroic. You fill me with hope. I am old enough to remember the Vietnam war and how my Democratic parents were able to engage in civil conversations with their Republican friends even then. Unlimited dark money in politics and poisonous, divisive media outlets have corroded our nation’s fundamental values.
Perhaps the answer is relatively simple: campaign finance reform.
Regardless, were the party more reflective of your values, Mr. Ladd, I would be a contributing member.
In the meantime, I hope Republicans like you not only abstain from voting for Trump, but vote for Hilary, as we cannot afford to be complacent in the face of such a threat to our democracy.
Thank you again for your moral courage.
Whoops… should have said…”ex-Republicans.” Where to now?
Welcome to the GOPlifer family, Jessica.
[…] Source: Resignation letter […]
[…] He recently posted the following: […]
I respect and applaud Chris Ladd for making a decision that, although difficult, is necessary. What a demonstration of great character! Thank you!
Jeannee Turner
I heartily agree; Thank you Chris Ladd!
Any Christian who does not leave the RNC after the cheap attacks and lies with rule breaking has a serious spiritual problem…
Thank you, brother. Shalom and GOD Bless you. –jana, sun antonio, tejas
Paul, I appreciate your thought, but, really? Only “after” the RNC cheap attacks? What about earlier years when Pres. Obama was insulted in his first address to Congress, or the attacks on Mexican people, or Muslim people or women, or legislation was blocked that would help the American people recover from a financial disaster from their watch or simply help our democracy function to manage the nation’s business? How, why, have people of faith and intelligence stayed silent while this party has defiled women, immigrants, *our* President, the LGBT community, people of color, the poor? Why? What will it take to finally become so disgusted and offended that one finds they have to leave because they cannot stay and live with themselves? This party has learned nothing from its mistakes except to double down on ugliness. It isn’t getting better, why aren’t we getting better?
That’s what I want to know.
Then, 1mime, if it doesn’t ‘count’, now, after the fact, the old adage–better late than never–means nothing. And all that YSHUA Teaches us is for naught. I don’t believe it is too late–then it was already too late for me. It is better to change–late–than to never change at all. Shalom. –jana, sun antonio, tejas.
You are correct. It is never too late. Lots of frustration built into that little paragraph, Jana. Too much politics (-;
As another Southwestern University Alumni I am very proud of you for your conviction. You really embody our goals – Being true to yourself. Thanks.
Sure ‘Christian’ join the party of partial-birth abortions and psychopathic liars.
Great news! I only wish you’d done it 30 yrs ago you coward!
[…] https://goplifer.com/2016/07/22/resignation-letter/ (Link from which this content was copied) […]
A GOP state Senator says no, I can’t drink this dioxin-laced koolaide:
http://fox13now.com/2016/07/25/utah-gop-delegate-switches-political-partiesendorses-3rd-party-candidate/?utm_source=fark&utm_medium=website&utm_content=link
“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.” Chris–it’s not the Republicans you can’t tolerate any longer. From the sentence above, you fit right in to the Republicrat party. What you can’t tolerate are your conservative roots from Texas. You moved to Chicago where Conservatism goes to die, and you are now a full fledged Republicrat. It doesn’t matter whether you put a D or an R next to your name–they are all the same. It is conservatism that you hate. If it isn’t too late–come back home to Texas and we can deprogram your brain. Otherwise, stay in Chicago. The last thing we need here is another liberal minded what ever you want to call yourself!
Thank you for some clarity on this regrettable letter.
It looks like Trump will win this election, and then us Europeans will be sandwiched between Putin and Trump. Putin portrays himself as a strongman, manipulates the media, bombs hostpitals in Syria, imprisons journalists, all the while casually putting billions away into his pockets and those of his henchmen. He didn’t start so badly, but ego, lack of a moral compass and hunger for power and money got the best of him, and from Trump’s track record, it looks like those characteristics are shared. Indeed it seems Putin would really like Trump to win, to damage NATO and allow Russia to grow in power. Putin does not play by the rules (a characteristic people also seem to like about Trump), but his rules only advantage him and his close peers, hurting ordinary Russians.
I can’t believe how many Americans say “Trump’s not perfect, but he’s not as bad as Hillary, so I’ll vote for Trump”. Hillary isn’t perfect indeed, but look at Putin, Mussolini, Hitler and other dictators, see the resemblance to Trump, and tell me if the people who voted for those dictators were better off 5 years later. Assuming they were still alive, they weren’t better off.
Unfortunately, I already know anyone intending to vote for Trump will not change their minds after reading this. In chosing Trump, I wish you good luck and genuinely hope we do not accidentally bomb ourselves back to the dark ages.
I am in my 50’s. I have been a God Damn Independent my entire life. I have voted for Democrats. I have voted for Republicans. I have never voted for a White Supremacist. I am not going to now. I have plenty of friends who feel the same as I do about that vote. From all parts of the political spectrum. The Clear and Present Danger represented by such a presidency has me and many others more active in politics than we have been in decades. Trump is not winning the US presidency.
Good for you, Ron. GOTV will be critical. Good place to invest your passion and energy. Call, remind neighbors, help people get to polls, help people remember to get to the polls, register newly moved persons to your area, put out a yard sing, append a bumper sticker to your car, share articles you read about Trump with those on your email list who are undecided or “say” they’re voting Trump.
Simple yet important. If we all do these things, we will make a difference.
I’m not sure why I opened and read this post. Most likely because of the picture of Willie Nelson.
Although I am a registered Democrat and believe in the general philosophy of the group, I am truly saddened for Chris Ladd who invested so much of his energy to follow his own philosophy. I also applaud his courage and vulnerability and willingness to hold his high moral ground and share his thoughtfulness with the world. Thank you.
There is no “high moral ground” in being a “Republicrat” puke! My problem with Chris is NOT that he is leaving the Republican party. Who really cares? The establishment of the Republicans and the Democrats are peas in a pod anyway. They all want the same thing–personal power and enrichment from their political offices. All the while, they are both spending us into oblivion. So I am really touched by your tribute to Chris for his “courage and vulnerability” in “sharing his thoughtfulness.” I wonder if you feel the same for people who show courage and vulnerability in sharing their thoughtfulness when it doesn’t agree with your liberal biases. I think we both know the answer to that, don’t we? Yours is less of an expression of admiration for courage, and more an expression of “welcome aboard my ideological joy ride.”
“I wonder if you feel the same for people who show courage and vulnerability in sharing their thoughtfulness when it doesn’t agree with your liberal biases. ”
Why don’t you provide us with an actual couragous statement (as opposed to knee-jerk vitriol) and we can find out.
For the record, had Chris stated that he’s resigning from the GOP because he couldn’t support the rude, crude, grossly unqualified mess that is Trump, and said that he was voting for Gary Johnson, NOT ONE WORD of my expressions of praise and support would have changed.
So, Craig, what candidate do you advise supporting in November for POTUS?
My grandmother enclave was the first Republican chairwoman in Uniion county NJ. She is now looking down from heaven with dispare over the Republican Party. I know she agrees with you. Thank you for having the courage to speak. Republicans are afraid of Donald Trump just like Germany was afraid of Hitler! Republicans should do what you did, unless they believe in what he stands for and if so should stay with the party that is now the KKK. Thank you!
Should have said “in law”
Wow Ruth! I must congratulate you for including your deceased Grandmother’s disillusionment with Hitler and the KKK all in one brief message. If they were giving prizes for the use of the most overly dramatic cliche images, your message would certainly be among the top prize winners. Unfortunately, you, along with Chris and apparently your dead grandmother have no idea what you are talking about. Republicans and Democrats are the same animal. Their followers are mindless drones who accept whatever their respective parties want to throw out to them.
Thank God for the patriots in our country dating back to the end of the 18th century coming all the way to the present time that are not willing to swallow their scraps anymore. Thankfully there is an element still alive in our country that values liberty, the rule of law, and the foundation of our Constitution. Neither Trump nor Hillary have anything to do with any of that. So, we are in for another long drought of 4 years. But freedom will rise again, in spite of people like you and your poor sainted grandmother!
Is there an actual point in all this ranting? Or is the cat walking on the keyboard?
First, we do not “all know that Trump will lose.” Far from it. Second, no, Trump is not ideal. Is he better than Hillary? Inestimably. Yes,a Trump presidency contains uncertainty. A Clinton presidency does not. We *know* what she will do, and not one bit of it is good for the nation. I hope you remember this come November.
Just like Trump you provide no details, no how’s or why’s. Zero substance.
These neophyte posters who come onto this site and throw out unsupported opinions and statements must go into shock when they get called on it. This isn’t politics 100, this is a master program.
Thank you for a concise and rational response, Chuck. Readers are free to disagree, but to dismiss your point because it “provides no details…”? Does anyone really want you to compare and contrast candidate positions?? I think these critics are just choosing to believe the Bill Clinton version of Hillary Clinton rather than the James Comey version. But Hitler wasn’t a woman.
Do you not want to compare and contrast the major candidates for POTUS? On what basis do you think we should select our president? Photo op? Most clever retort? Best put downs?
Most/least vulgarity? Most/least experience? Most wives/husbands?
Really, Charlene?
Hey Charlene, this site has STANDARDS. If you come here are proclaim that Trump is the better candidate, you will be expected to back it up. With DETAILS. If that strains your brain too much, go to freeperville.
Fly, you are a tigress! Thank you for helping keep the standards of this blog so high. Lazy and abusive posters are not welcome here. (Lifer, hope you know we not only have your back, we have the gate covered, too! Sorry we are encouraging some to depart for parts unknown, but somehow, I think you’d approve.)
Your letter took courage, and your resignation must have been a painful decision. But following your conscience is the most honorable thing a person can do, and I salute you.
Unless, of course, his conscience took him in a direction which you disagree with. At that point, your “salute” would turn to into the 1 finger variety quicker than you could say, “Hillary is a felon hag.” Hypocrites–all of you.
Project much?
You know what, Craig? You are not here to contribute anything constructive. The commentators on this blog don’t depend upon insulting others and making unsupported statements to validate their points. If you have a point, make it and support it, otherwise, go somewhere else.
1mime, I will argue that Craig is useful.
If the rest of us are going to persuade people of who Trump actually is, it’s nice to prepare by taking apart Craig’s remarks one by one and disproving them.
Possibly, in contrast, but irritating never the less. The final night of the GOP convention served a similar purpose – if you were able to watch it. I’m at a place in my life where I don’t have patience with these kind of people. They aren’t trying to add anything to the discussion, they are ranting and disruptive. If the purpose they perform is to demonstrate the crudity of many Trump supporters (certainly not all – the rest are simply ill informed or lack critical thinking skills), they are succeeding. I just don’t want to read it here. We hold to a higher standard of discourse at GOPlifer.
Firstly, thanks so very much for the link you sent me yesterday! The First 100 Days gives us, the same kind of hope that 2008 & 2012 gave… our job, it seems to me, is to resist the jaded state & embrace that hope every time it presents itself! Having just read through the day’s comments on this thread, most of which have to do with ‘Craig’… I am reminded of once, when my Dad was pontificating about some subject at length & my Mom, leaned forward saying, “Bill (insert ‘Craig’ here), the next time you go up that mountain for those tablets… I’m going to have to come with you… and we’ll edit!”
We leetle weemen do bring out the best in our men (-;
Craig ,
I can hear your Negative Angry Diatribe and Criticisms all the way from Australia. If you have nothing but rancor and bitterness to give then I would ask you to keep it to yourself. Please don’t fill this comments section with your hostility, it’s neither the time nor the place.
All the way from Aussieland, Thanks, Loomy! We really do try to conduct ourselves in a more responsible manner than some of the newbies who are trolling.
I live un the UK and only see ugliness in the Republican party and in the Conservative party over here…..
The only reason somebody with innumerable character flaws like Trump was able to succeed is because the Republican party betrayed their constituents and this is the backlash. They were given legislative control in the last mid-term election because people were so outraged and motivated to stop the lies, corruption and secrecy of the Obama administration – and the Republicans have done absolutely nothing about any of it. Why didn’t Chris Ladd resign when they caved on the Affordable Care Act? Why didn’t Chris resign when they caved on Obama’s horrible budget? Why didn’t Chris resign when they rolled over for criminal acts like the IRS scandal or the parade of Obama cronies taking the 5th amendment when testifying before congressional committees about all of the corrupt activities? So many opportunities for Chris to get outraged at the Republicans yet he did nothing, but now that the Republican voters have had enough and are taking the GOP RINO’s out to the woodshed Chris suddenly decides to try and seize the moral and ethical high ground?
In my book you’re not a principled hero Chris, you’re an unethical coward who did nothing to try and stop this inevitable collapse of the GOP. You were part of the status-quo RINO’s who stood for nothing and now you’re mad because you’ve been thoroughly rejected. Look how HuffPo and other liberal outlets have gleefully seized upon your article in order to try and support Hillary’s collapsing campaign. Well done RINO-boy.
Trump is a horrible and disgusting person in so many ways, yet he is 10x the candidate that Hillary will ever be. Reminds me of a quote I saw recently, “Voting for Hillary because you hate Trump is like eating s**t because you hate broccoli”.
“In my book you’re not a principled hero Chris, you’re an unethical coward who did nothing to try and stop this inevitable collapse of the GOP. ”
That’s because your book has only one page. You see the resignation letter, but not all the other pages Chris has written, and you jump to a conclusion. Better to be a RINO that a pigeon, which is what Trump supporters are.
Now that was a vapid post.
Chris is some little guy looking for attention. Why else would he call attention to his letter?
Little guys like Chris who have a God Complex and think (or feel) they know what Trump will or will not do show the limited scope of their intelligence. To my knowledge Mr Trump won by democratic means attested to by the voters.
“To my knowledge Mr Trump won by democratic means attested to by the voters.”
The reading comprehension is piss-poor among the complainers. That was never the issue. Voters can and do make dumb choices. The candidate is unfit and some poeple choose not to praise the naked Emperor’s suit. If enough Dems had lost their minds and nominated LaRouche, you’d see Dem-Lifers writing the same sorts of “I quit” letters.
As for “some little guy looking for attention”, get a freaking clue. This blog has been going on for years and people have been following it. Sometimes someone posts something that resonates and it goes viral. That happened here. You are free to go elsewhere if you don’t have anything better to contribute.
Steve Adams I was with you 100% until your last paragraph. We ALL have “innumerable character flaws.” We are human after all. I hope. Trump in of himself cannot do much. There are still congress and the Supreme Court. Now if you say they will permit Trump to do anything he wants (as obama has done pretty much as he wants) well then I would say the country was lost long before Trump came arrived.
The alternative is Bill Clinton’s third term. Hillary is just his avatar.
Michael: “as obama has done pretty much as he wants”
Good gods, why do people continue to believe this blather??? Is it simply because Rush Limbaugh repeats it ad nauseam? (Along with constantly referring to the current presidential administration as “The Obama Regime”.) **sigh**
This GOP congress has been THE most obstructionist Congress in history, bar none. No one who actually sees what has/HASN’T gotten done in Congress can say what Michael said with a straight face.
BINGO!! You called it clearly, Steven Adams!
Many in the US would agree with your assessment. Thank you for your concern….
Oh yes, let’s all pray that America can one day be like the United Kingdom. Oh, I forgot–we already were like you and we chose to leave!
[…] version of this post originally appeared on GOPLifer […]
I’ve been all over the world and have seen many things, but I’m abashed by where we, in the U.S., have ended up in 2016. I grew up in a Republican household and still share many of the values Ronald Reagan embodied. I, however, cannot concede that Trump is the candidate of the present or future. I have far more faith in the Johnson/Weld ticket to uphold the constitution and all that is fundamentally sound. I wish you the best in your endeavors and hope that the backlash is minimal. Your experience and apparent strength of character will ensure a promising future.
Kudos to Chris Ladd for having the gumption to follow his conscience. He would have made a better Republican Presidential Candidate.
Dear GOPlifer
I am not a citizen, so I cannot vote. However I’ve been here since 2006. I was totally taken aback with the the ground support in ordinary people and amongst my friends. How can people be so stupid to believe a dictator, a truth twister, liar and a business man made by other people’s money?
That is why I find your letter the most refreshing hope that the old party still has some persons who have not brainwashed by the Donald. Where is the integrity of the people who have held out for freedom to do whatever with the least governance. How can they be blinded by a dictator?
I hope and pray for everyone’s sake that this racist liar and conniving so-called- businessman looses. And big time.
You liberals would be hilarious if your hypocrisy weren’t so completely nauseating. If you hate the Free Enterprise system of America so much, why are you here? Go home to whatever socialist rat hole you crawled out of and see if you can live as free and prosperously there as you do here! I fyou find that this country is the best place for you to live that way, then a simple “Thank You” will suffice! Keep your socialistic hypocrisy to yourself!
Trump already has the title of “Ugliest American” locked up.
And he hires the worst trolls.
Trump is a National Socialist running as a Republican is a country that’s forgotten what a National Socialist is.
Robert, what is a National Socialist as you understand it?
methinks nazi
Just messin’ with him………
Yes they have forgotten they were leftists.
Why cant I sign up for a new password? I enter my new password in the place for the first password entry. It wont take mine and instead it replaces it with strage gobbldegook letters. Are you trying to keep me speaking goog things about Trump.
Sent from my iPhone
>
You’ve got that right.. National Socialist… aka Nazi… is exactly the platform he’s running on…
you say it’s a fairy tale wall. why? It’s certainly not impossible to build a wall. Certainly many nations (Even MEXICO now has people calling for it on their southern border) are calling for one for their countries. You want to assert bullying in the schoolyard? — but that’s not what his classmates say. Did you resign over the acknowledged bullying of Romney? apparently not. you assert racism for someone whose company has more women execs and more minority in high office in his company than any other company — looked at the overt racism of the DNC via their own words as provided by Wikileaks? You apparently didn’t resign over McCain’s “gang of 8”. So are you really a Republican? More to the point, are you really willing for someone who even the FBI acknowledges was “extremely careless” (which is a synonym for “gross negligence”– which IS in the statutes) with our nation’s security to have office? If so, then I suggest you seriously reconsider — because actions and inactions have consequences — and this country CANNOT afford Hillary to get office.
And yet, you want the United States, formerly THE country advocating reason, free trade and a common dream above all else, to be the laughing-stock of the world? By destroying the republican party with a nominee, and his followers, who continue to ignore the most basic facts and do not even KNOW what a statistic is, let alone understand how one can derive facts with probabilistic logic?
The world is laughing about Donald Trump and the republican party. The world is laughing about this enormous lack of expertise within the ranks of the republican party leaders.
I do not say that Hillary Clinton is a good alternative, far from it. But the problem is, that politics in the US seemingly have forgotten what the country should be about. And how decisions should be made – and that is not based on some ambiguous feelings the people of the USA are supposed to have. Why is it that republican politicians are flamed for sympathizing with Ayn Rand? Why do they have to defend themselves, claiming they “didn’t always vote that way” or “it’s not as bad as it seems”?
Until the USA comes back to a country of its former glory, and not a country where one assumes all the idiots come from, I feel bad for the country I used to look up to.
Then promote and support the Gary Johnson/ Bill Weld Libertarian Ticket… With the demise of the Democratic Party as we see it now, where the Libertarians were too long a shot to consider – now is the time for every disgruntled Conservative to support and elect the most reasonable alternative Party out there…
Leons, We must have been watching different channels last night. If you think that the Dem Party doesn’t have talent, and isn’t moving forward, vote for the men in togas.
Let’s do build a wall… Just like they did in Berlin… Walls always encourage effective dialog….
As a progressive Democrat, I also feel really sad about what’s happened to the Republican Party. My parents were Republicans, from the Eisenhower generation, and–as I became more liberal–we had interesting, fact-based debates on the proper role of government, the delicate balance between government-overreach and the free market (what they referred to as “free enterprise”). In those days, everything was just facts, figures, numbers, how policies play out in real life situations, none of the religious overtones of morality that you see in what passes for debate today, no name-calling, no belittling one another’s opinion, just a stimulating debate that formed my interest in politics.
Among my parents’ friends were people of all ethnic groups, including new immigrants; they never let me forget that we were immigrants once, too, and that we should be kind and respectful to every new immigrant group who come to the U.S. seeking a new life.
My parents knew gay people, too, and passed no moral judgement on them, just saying, “Some people are like that, nobody knows why.” We read articles together about Christine Jorgensen, the most famous transgender person of the day; to my parents, her story was “interesting,” a marvel of modern science, no judgement to be passed there, either, a separate issue that had nothing to do with either religion or politics.
And, yes–someone mentioned Nixon and the EPA–my parents were in favor of cleaning up the air and water, too–who, in their right mind, would oppose drinkable water and breathable air? In those days, everybody agreed on that, that the air and water should be free of toxins that were making people sick.
So, yeah, it’s a shame about what’s happened to the Republican Party and I don’t blame you for leaving, but I would encourage you turn your attention to any down-ballot races you can find, helping to elect good people to city council, school board, county judge, which is what I’m trying to do on the progressive side, finding good people who can work together to make life a little better for the people they serve.
You are absolutely correct. Thank you.
Very well said. Kudos to you.
The following quoted section is from someone else’s post (without any alteration or editing by me) within the many tens of thousands of posts on FB. I liked it because I feel it covers many of the issues and problems with Trump. I want you to know though, I personally have no loyalties to any particular party or person.
Before you move on to reading it (if you bother to), I think many people need to stop and give some long hard consideration to what they are wanting and/or asking for and who they are asking for it from if you are considering voting for Trump. I don’t care how much you dislike how our government is being run right now and/or how tightly you hold to your beliefs that it is Obama and/or Hillary’s fault, the democrats et al. or republicans entirely. At this point in the election, I would not be shocked at all to find out that Trump has some sort of serious mental disorder. Believe me, I DO NOT state that with sarcasm or jokingly at all. And just because he has been semi successful in business does not negate the possibility of a mental disorder. Don’t forget, much of his wealth was handed down to him.
We do not need to have someone like this running our country. It is not just all about us here in the good ‘ole USA either. The fact that many of our allies and good/safe world leaders are concerned about this man should be a serious indicator of the danger he poses. The GOP let Trump get out of hand before some sensible ones caught on. Unfortunately, too much of the population is not educated well enough in US government and/or is insecure with possible self confidence issues that they are easily manipulated by people like Trump as well as the media.
The only way to stop someone like Trump is to completely cut them off or shut them down. That may mean voting for someone who you don’t care for all that much. But it is far better to just suck it up and put up with that for 4 years rather than risk ending up with a mentally ill dictator for quite possibly much longer than just 4 years. I would also suggest getting a better understanding of how our government actually works, why certain bills won’t get passed (i.e.: Rep vs Dem or vice versa demanding for something within a bill that makes the opposite side push back, altering it from original intent or forcing concessions) and realizing that just because the GOP says it is true does not make it so. Being POTUS is an extremely difficult, demanding, and is in reality a rather dangerous job. Nor are you ever going to be able to please everyone all the time. Not ever in your or anyone else’s lifetime.
For those of you who watched Trump’s acceptance speech at the RNC in its entirety and don’t think that he did not sound like Hitler at some point, I strongly recommend that you take some serious time to brush up on WWII history. Watch some legitimate unbiased documentaries and hear Hitler speak. You don’t need to understand German to recognize it
and there are almost always subtitles.
My apologies to the individual who wrote this for not keeping your name:
“This is not a funny time. This is not an entertaining time. This is a truly frightening time. The day a person like Trump – with no morals, no integrity, no courage, no shame, no respect, no honesty, no decency, no limits – can actually be ahead in a PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN is a day I never thought I’d see. He’s cruel and he is narcissistic; he’s a bully and a mocker. He wears whatever colors will get him the most publicity. Christianity is a selling point when it may earn him a vote. He’s suddenly a Christian: one that knows next to nothing about the bible, one that acts and speaks in ways our God would NEVER approve of, one that was making fun of Christians through all the years before it became beneficial to him to pretend to be one. He’s not the cause of this rampant racism and hypocrisy and bigotry. I’d never give him that much credit. What he’s done is find the very lowest level in the human heart, where hatred and cruelty and cowardice live, and he’s brought that rot up into the light. He’s made racism acceptable. He’s made bigotry acceptable. He’s made indecency acceptable. He’s made utter cruelty to others acceptable. He’s made mocking people for their religion or their gender or their physical challenges acceptable. He’s made cuddling up with Putin acceptable. He’s made verbal vomit acceptable. He just brought out what til now was kept hidden. And guess what?? It should’ve stayed hidden. Peoples’ sons and daughters will have to go off to fight this man’s wars. Our children and grandchildren deserve a safe country and a sane president. People fed up with their own party unleash Trump on us all, and we all will have to pay for their anger at their own party. This is not a good man. This is not a decent man. This is not an honest man. This is not a peace-loving man. This is not a Christian man. This is not a brave man. Mocking Christianity, unfaithful in marriage, dodged the draft FIVE TIMES, bankruptcy, talks about having sex with his daughter, laughing at the pain and misfortune of others…..I will never, ever, ever be able to understand how this country stooped to a level so low as to give this man a podium and microphone and a big rabid, blood-thirsty fan club. He will NEVER be my president. He will NEVER have my respect nor the respect of anyone who loves this country and sees this country as being a great one. It’s time we refuse to settle and it’s time this clown left the room. (Sorry this is so long!)”
One final note; as I understand it, the mother of the ambassador slain in Benghazi doesn’t even blame Hillary for his death. She has even called on Trump’s campaign and the Republican party stop using his name and death in Benghazi as fodder for political attacks. I know there is another mother who spoke at the RNC and does blame Hillary, but consider grieving for a loved one. Especially a parent grieving for a child — no matter their age. Parents aren’t supposed to bury their children. Sometimes when someone is grieving for a very close loved one and unable to place blame and express anger on a specific or tangible thing, they will blame anyone or anything they can. This can be even more drastic if there were any lingering unresolved issues, unfulfilled promises or perhaps secrets that should have been exposed or shared. I have seen numerous oncologists be harshly blamed for the death of a loved one because the doctor was unable to cure said loved one of an aggressive cancer. Hillary sure is an easy target. However, don’t forget that in spite of all the special investigations and hearings, she has not been found personally responsible. I’m not necessarily saying that is the case here, but Hillary sure is an easy target.
For those who took the time to read all of this, thank you. Now let’s please get serious, and remember, Hillary and Trump are not our only choices and there are more than two party affiliations. Also, try to think outside the box. In some ways I think voting for a candidate based largely, in essence, on their party affiliation is like voting for a candidate based largely, in essence, on their religion or race. That may sound like an extreme comparison, but you get the point, eh? Get beyond party lines to make friends and share ideas. Don’t dismiss someone simply because of party affiliation without ever giving them a sincere at least five minutes of your attention to hear their ideas, suggestions, proposals, etc. Consider having a friendly conversation about ways to work together for improvement.
Let’s please start to research all of our choices and find out who truly is a better candidate than Trump. Somebody has to be.
I found this frightening article in Texas Tribune, “The GOP is Gaslighting America.” It’s my feeling that today’s GOP is winnowing down to the most disturbed people among us, people who think Trump’s okay because they’re used to being in abusive relationships. And we’re getting candidates like Trump, who just want power, but don’t really want to serve the people.
https://www.texasobserver.org/how-the-gop-is-gaslighting-america/
I’m not sure, Linda, but I think “the most disturbed people among us” have to be the BLM folks who are killing police officers in the streets while they are protecting our safety. But, you are probably right–Anyone who would vote for Trump is much worse than that! Give me a break! Your initial entry into this conversation was thoughtful and interesting. This one is just plain stupid!
Name the members of BLM who have killed anyone.
VERY WELL SAID
Thank you, Julie. You said everything that was on my mind. Trump needs to crawl back in the hole from whence he came. He’s dangerous….divide and conquer is what he does and he is an embarrassment to anything decent in this world.
If America had more people like you , the divisiveness, suspicion, anger, mistrust and fear between people would be reduced by breathtaking levels and make for such a better potential and future for all.
Your letter has given me hope that someday I can vote Republican again. Someday if enough Republicans realize this party is not the party of Lincoln and Eisenhower and leave or push it to change I can then consciously become independent once again.
I’m heartened and relieved to know there are still people of intelligence, eloquence and integrity in your country. We don’t hear enough about good people like yourself here in the UK.
I wish you every success in your future political career.
Thumbs up, Chris – Well done!!
I am so touched by your letter — and encouraged that there are a few brave souls like yourself who are willing to tell the truth about the current GOP party, nominee and platform. I am not a Republican, but I have been through many many elections and felt that most of the opposition, from my perspective, were reasonable and that I could “live with them.” Not so this time. I live in absolute terror that Trump will be elected and envision the next four years as utter chaos with daily protests from every demographic that has been verbally abused and slandered in the last year. Thank you for sharing! I have forwarded this to as many friends as I can think of. Good luck in your future endeavors.
Your melodrama makes me laugh. Thanks for that!
Your threadshitting is weak. Go back to Yahoo.
I appreciate you and Ted Cruz following your conscience. You are brave and moral !
My father was a lifelong, diehard Republican. Over the years we had intense differences over the Vietnam War and many other things. I personally am a “Raging Independent” and give my allegiance to principles and the people who stand and fight for them, not to a party. I’ve voted for candidates of all parties over the years. Then the day came when the “Supreme” Court of the U.S. handed the election to G.W. Bush. I will never forget standing in my father’s living room as the news broke — and seeing his utter shock. The look on his face was astonishment and disbelief.. He looked at the TV, the floor, the TV, the floor — and then whispered in an anguished voice, “Have I really been voting for the wrong party all my life???” He was devastated. He was not an idealistic man, but he when he committed he committed. From that time on he was convinced the entire system is so corrupt, and so moribund, that there was no point in even voting. It broke my heart to see him totally depressed and defeated by his realization. If the Republican Party were still the party of Roosevelt, I would be a Republican. But today it’s a party of demagogery, hateful rhetoric, and yes, fascism. I watched the Republican convention — and it sent chills up my spine. It was reminiscent of the early days of Hitler in Germany. Watch some of those historical films. It will open your eyes to how the haters take power — we the people give it to them!
The racists Dixiecrats jumped from the Democratic party to the Republican party creating what we have today I was a Young Republican in Chicago growing up. After Nixon, I realized the direction the new party was taking. I watched the Southern racist switch parties, angry at LBJ for the Civil Rights Act. I predicted much of what we see today. But I see Trump as a last gasp of racial hatred. I am optimistic! If Trump is defeated now, racism will begin to fade. The racists supporters of Trump will crawl back into their hole and give up on pursuing their agenda in America. Find a Roosevelt Republican and the party can survive. I’m voting for Hilary to make damn sure we don’t become a fascist government.
Good for you, Robert. We all have to put country before party and self. If not now, when?
More humor–“A Roosevelt Republican” Thanks for that phrase you turned in your ridiculous comments. Sometimes the discussions around here get too heavy, and we need some comic relief. The Spirit of Roosevelt is alive and well in both parties right now! That is why we are moving toward Socialism more and more with each passing day. One day, we will arrive at your utopia. Hopefully I will be long dead by then. Unfortunately, my grand kids will inherit the whirlwind you and your ilk are creating for them. Thanks again for the laugh!
Wrong Roosevelt.
For someone claiming to be from the party of true Americans, you need to expand your history reading.
Good catch, Bridget.
[…] • ‘GOP-lifer’ resigns from party post with an excoriating letter: […]
Thank you, thank you, thank you! It is so refreshing to know there are other Republicans who do not find compromise and dirty word. You have absolutely captured my frustration with the GOP of today. Well said and well done. Sometimes in order to restore something we have to walk away from what it has become and start over. As PJ O’Rourke said, “Hilary is wrong on every level, but she is at least wrong within normal human parameters.
Hey Ruth! Why is it when Republicans win elections, Democrats want to talk about compromise. But when Obama won his first temr, his only remark was “Elections have consequences?” Tell me one compromise Barry Obama has made since he was in office? Another popular slogan for Democrats when George W was in office was “Dissent is the highest form of patriotism.” Today, when conservatives object to Barry’s insanity, Dissent suddenly becomes the highest form of racism?” The hypocrisy of your kind is laughably transparent. Too bad most of you Barry drones cannot see it.
“Tell me one compromise Barry Obama has made since he was in office? ”
The nomination of Merrick Garland, who’s centrist, for the vacant SCOTUS seat. If you paid attention rather than regurgitate Fox News talking points, you wouldn’t have to ask such stupid questions.
As much as I respect the large response of new commentators to Lifer’s blog, statements like this are so tiresome. The good news is they won’t hang around as it takes a little work to be a regular contributor on GOPlifer….you actually have to think about what you’re going to say, say it as well as possible, and support it with more than one’s own opinion. (or at least clearly state when it is only opinion…TU Fifty!)
THANK YOU For speaking THE TRUTH!! I wish you good will & SUCCESS!!
[…] A version of this post originally appeared on GOPLifer. […]
Illinois is the land of democrats anyway…enjoy your new life with the worst president in history. Donald Trump was never my first pick – but I am a proud member of the “Never Hilary” club.
Trump makes plans to unify the GOP:
http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2016-07-22/trump-would-fund-super-pacs-aimed-at-taking-down-cruz-kasich-iqybu9m1?utm_source=fark&utm_medium=website&utm_content=link
What a petty, vindictive asshole he is (although I will shed no tears for Cruz if he gets taken down). A true statesman would let the bygones be bygones. Obama and Clinton buried the hatchet after the dust settled in 2008. This makes me all the more furious at Wasserman-Schulz. The Dems have a prime opportunity here, but her favoritsm is still interfering with the Dems getting united and sending their message out. This political fumble-itis is inexcusable.
Thank you, flyp, for putting it so succinctly. GOD Bless you–and keep up the excellent ‘editing’!!! –j, sun antonio, tejas.
My suspicion is that if he is a good liberal, Flypusher doesn’t really believe in a God that will bless him. Of course, if you are a good liberal, neither do you. I guess that phrase is just a polite way to say, “Good Job Flypusher!” But you probably need to say it in a less offensive, more politically correct way. I would expect better from a good liberal like yourself! After all, atheists read this stream of comments and your language is extremely offensive to them!
Hey Jana, thanks! Hey Criag, you’re ignorant and you’re living down to the worst Trumpkin stereotype. BTW- I lean Deist in my personal philosophy, like many of the founders. I have zero problem with anyone practicing the religion of their choice.
Shorter Craig, every single post:
I got nothin’.
Keep on keepin’ on, Craig!
The thought of Trump in the Oval Office is terrifying. He has no idea how to govern. He is a bully.
And Hillary does? Geese you Dems. are just plain idiots. Just like Hillary he has people that will be helping him. the President don’t do everything.by themselves. (not Obama of course) You guys says he’s a bully, he just answers to Hillarys statements so she must be a bully plus all the things the FBI said and more like Letting 4 men die and not doing anything, she might as well have pulled the trigger herself.
What an awful comment… Insulting a whole group of people will never convince anyone that you’re right about anything, it only makes you look like you’re incapable of considering any other viewpoints but your own. I’m sure you’re smart enough to understand the things you’re told, but are you smart enough to question them, Marylin?
Calling other people “idiots” simply for having an opposing viewpoint is everything that is wrong with people.
Marilyn, maybe you can explain this to me.
Why are Republicans so much more upset over 4 men dead in Benghazi than the 4000 dead on 9/11? Why have we had more investigations into Benghazi than into the 39 attacks on US embassies and consulates during the Bush administration although according to Poltifact 66 people died during those attacks? Why have we had more investigations into Benghazi than we ever had on 9/11?
Is it possible that if the Republicans had spent as much time investigating those attacks Benghazi wouldn’t have happened?
And how do you feel about Rep. McCarthy out and out admitting that the only reason they continue to investigate Benghazi was to attack Clinton – EVEN THOUGH THEIR OWN INVESTIGATIONS cleared her of blame?
this is the level of discourse of Trump supporters. Sad.
Cofer Black (CIA coordinator for counter terrorism) and George Tenet made a special trip to the White House in July 2001 because of the threat of multiple attacks in the US with large casualties. Yes, JULY. They went as far as to ask for a “war footing” – there was even a pounding of fist on the desk. Then there was the August 2001 memo that Bush had in his hands – Yes AUGUST.
Cofer Black readily admits the above happened and still can’t figure out why the Bush White House did nothing.
You can dwell on Benghazi but I prefer to focus on the GOP letting 9/11 happen, starting an unneeded war in Iraq (which killed 0.25 million people (which creates a lot of ISIS recruits that really hate us)), letting folks on the no-fly list buy guns, Citizens-United which destroyed our democracy, etc. (oh, and I might as well throw in Nixon’s October surprise that killed 20,000 Americans).
All of which the liberal media can’t stop talking about!
I can’t believe I used to blindly vote for these America hating republicans.
Your a poster child for trump the fraud (and his wife to)-an ignorant illiterate fascist fool
Get over yourself. Go vote for Trump and live with the results.
Maybe you should learn grammar and punctuation, before whining. Your boy Bush killed 4000+ Americans with his Iraq lies, and lost 60+ diplomats to attacks. But those are inconvenient facts to those in the repube bubble. Just admit you love the hater, and want to go back to when “those people ” knew their place.
“The President don’t do everything”? Ummm? (Donald loves the uneducated you know?)
Marilyn, I would hope for you to get the world you think you wish to have. But my behind is on this planet too. You are an idiot, tRump is a dangerous psychopath.
Mine, too, Barbara (-; That’s the hell of it. It’s not that America won’t survive, but I’m not sure “I” will.
If you haven’t figured out by now that Trump listens to no one but his inner demons, then you are in for a YUUUUGE surprise. Anyway, he apparently tried to lure Kasich into being his Veep by promising to lounge around in the Oval Office not doing anything but taking the credit for whatever Kasich did. He doesn’t want to have to govern as president, he just wants to BE the president, so he can be on TV every night going “Me! Me! Me!”
Are you comfortable having the Russians determine our foreign policy, and maybe our domestic policy as well? — because Trump sure loves him some Putin, eh?
Worst in history? Guess you aren’t big on history, eh?
Benghazi today, Benghazi tomorrow, Benghazi forever.
Some people are simply hopeless. As Thomas pointed out: when someone doesn’t use fact to support their (illogical) positions, using fact to convince them is fruitless. (I hope I paraphrased that correctly Thomas.)
Fundamentally, this mind-control has been perpetrated for a very long time thus it’s ingrained. Heck, it’s generational. I hear family members making statements about Clinton to their “about to cast their first vote” eighteen year olds with no respect for the process. Where is the discussion about responsibility and the right to vote and the need to check facts and experience? It’s sad but this may be the world we are going to inhabit if Trump wins, and I am not convinced that this won’t happen. One thing’s certain – I won’t take any satisfaction from having been “right” when calamity unfolds during a Trump presidency. I’ll be weeping for what our country has lost.
Same here. I don’t believe that Trump is a sure loss. All it takes is a few things to push people to ignore reason and somehow or another we have Strongman Trump as President.
Once I come across someone who is delusional – believing that their own beliefs are the only truth because, well, they are beliefs – I don’t even waste time trying to reach them. They are lost. Such as the person still grasping onto Benghazi to convince themselves that they aren’t voting for a social dominator who wields tens of millions of right wing authoritarian bigots itching for a race war.
Do you believe in love at first sight, Marilyn? I think I just fell in love with you! LOL–Thanks for the brief glimmer of sanity in this web of lunacy and blindness!
Is the alternative better? It is a frightening time in our history. Has the divisiveness of the past eight years opened the way for this sorry state of affairs? People are so angry and most of them are unable to explain why they are angry. I am angry at being in a position of not having what I consider a viable option in the coming election. What has happened to integrity?
Yes, yes it is. Hillary will do a better job than Trump.
It is hard to trust either. The one thing I have realized is that Hillary will fully commit herself to the job – Donald will not (not even close).
The system is broken and it would be hard to find a candidate (other than Bernie I guess) that can rise above it. One has to look past the situation that the system puts candidates in and try to only look at the candidate.
Hillary has stated that she would push to overturn Citizens United – a big step in fixing the system.
We have to go all the way back to, and undo, the Lewis Powell memo and his creation of “Money equals Speech” to truly get us back on track. But that is for another time.
It’s so disingenuous to talk about the divisiveness of the past 7 years and then turn around and make our President Obama’s fault. The color if his skin so enraged conservatives, who were emboldened by the realization that their racism was tolerated and celebrated . . . THAT is the source of the division, NOT the current administration.
In two sentences… nailed it!!!
I don’t blame the color of Barry’s skin, Vicki. I blame his ideology. But, apparently the color of his skin is the reason you can’t be honest about his failed policies. So, in truth, who is the real racist?
You did honor to the paraphrasing! That’s what’s so frustrating about Cheeto and his minions… they seem to be encased in a sort of atmospheric layer that doesn’t let facts in. A “bozone” layer. Can you imagine a conversation that goes like this? “Actually, Minion, you’re incorrect. Obama has used the FEWEST executive orders among recent Presidents.” “Well, son of a gun! Howzabout that?! There ARE fewer EO’s… Thank God you caught that before I looked like a moron. Hey, Frank! Come over here! College boy showed me that this here number is LESS than the other Presidents’ numbers! Let’s call the boys and tell ’em. Looks like we blew THAT call!”
No, of course you can’t imagine it! Facts try to get into the bozone but get turned away by some paranoid doubling down on the fallacy (“See how dangerous Killery is? She altered the numbers in the official record and went back in time to alter all those government records!”) coupled with some – comically ironic – ad hominem attack (“You dumb liberal sheep don’t understand what Imam Obama has done to your brain!”).
To some extent we all seek data that confirm our beliefs about the world but I’m gravely concerned that so many people have abandoned the pretense of seeking data.
Not only is there a deficiency in seeking data, but in seeking diversity of data and sources. I wish I had time to read more widely in order to expand my understanding of issues. When one’s approach to studying an issue (and, I use that term lightly) is to use journalism (Fox) as a factual source and not acknowledge or understand that what they are “choosing” to view is opinion, you fall back on your simple axium: you can’t convince people using facts if they don’t use facts to form their POV. It’s impossible. There is also a dearth of critical thinking of the information they select. In the end, each of us has a personal and a collective responsibility to intellectually THINK about what we are hearing and reading before we make our decisions.
May I suggest this election as a case study for your psych classes?
Dear Mr Ladd, I am not particularly politically intellectual and I am not proud of that fact. However, what I do know is that your letter has given me great pause to reconsider my initial thought that Donald Trump, although crude, may be the right candidate for our time. I was not convinced that he was the right man but I also believe that Hiliary Clinton is not the right woman for the job either and there in lies my dilemma. Giving my vote to some unknown name or not placing a vote at all simply does not appeal to me either and there in lies my concern… What shall I do? Unfortunately, I have not yet decided what to do as yet but I intend to do my best to educate myself with regard to the entire political process and the learn as much as I can about the powers that lie behind each candidate. Your letter has made me a better citizen and hopefully an educated voter. After reading your letter my initial thought was simple… Now here is a man we need to KEEP in office and encourage any and all of our politicians to vote with their brains and good conscience and NOT simply as a long time Republican or Democrat! I wish you great success in your future endeavors!
Charleen, if you respect Mr. Ladd’s opinion, you will be interested to note that he announced some time ago that he would vote for Hillary Clinton. He isn’t happy about doing so but he stated that he felt that despite shortcomings, she was the best qualified, most experienced presidential candidate our country *has ever* had.
I hope this information helps you with your decision. If you want proof of this statement, you’ll have to search the archives, but he stated it more than once. Where I am with this is that I will vote for Hillary Clinton. She may well turn out to be like G.H.W.Bush and be a one-term candidate, but as Lifer stated: “She will do the least harm.” After a great deal of study and thought, I concur. There is simply too much at stake for a Trump presidency and hard right policies that will only get worse if validated by a win for the Republican Party. What will they have learned from this? Why would they change? Indeed, why wouldn’t they double down on the most egregious laws and policies they have proffered and which have mostly been struck down by the SC? It’s not hard, it is not the end. 2020 will offer a new slate and another opportunity. Do the smart thing now. For me and for Lifer, that is a vote for Clinton.
Hey Charleen… love your answer to this thread! I am Canadian so cannot vote one way or the other… however, my husband & I have learned more this election cycle about US politics than we ever knew… & we feel much more like ‘responsible world citizens’ for it. I’ve bumped into several articles that have made a difference for me… so, I include this one regarding HC. It’s long but, I think, so worthwhile. I learned a lot. Good luck with your ‘ponderings’ from the West Coast of Canada! https://thepolicy.us/thinking-about-hillary-a-plea-for-reason-308fce6d187c#.usknryr5k (you may have to copy/paste this… I’m not sure it will show up as a clickable link!) 🙂
Very good article, Lizzie. Thanks for sharing and for your interest in US politics! I posted an excellent compendium of Hillary’s first 100 days. It clearly illustrates how deeply she thinks about issues in America. Here it is if you missed it, for your reading pleasure.
http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/288740-clinton-maps-out-first-100-days
Charleen… I don’t mean to hijack your thread but I don’t see how else to ‘reply to a reply’ & I want to thank you, 1mime, for sending me the link. We’re glued to the DNC at the moment… but I look forward to reading it soon… again, thanks & cheers, Lizzie
Lizzie, note the time the comment was made and go back to your inbox and find a corresponding time from GOPlifer and open the link. It will then be possible to reply directly when it’s a not a new comment. Hope this helps.
Good on ya
Why didn’t you jump into the race? Is it too late now?
We the “rational” people, must strive to regain control of the wheel steering this ship of fools. As a Republican of more than forty-years, I have watched the party of the smart, thoughtful, educated, forward-looking and hard-working turn into a party of theocratic, racist, uneducated, get-rich-quick, bellowing psychos who you used to be identified as “Southern Democrates.” The so called leadership of the Republican party must learn to vet ALL potential candidates so that only those sharing the Actual phylosophy of the Conservative Republican (i.e. Ford, decidedly not G.W.) are permitted to wear the badge of the Grand Old Party. The other Crucial issue for the leadership to understand and embrase is that the psychos on the far-right fringe have no one else to vote for if they don’t vote Republican, so there is no threat that they might suddenly vote for the “godless” liberals. The party must realign itself with the center so that it can move “left” or “right” on every specific issue. Only a fool votes the party line without thinking about individual issues.
If the “Republican” party fails to right the ship and throw off the rotten cargo, this party will die a horrible death, and be laughed about for decades, until it is just another footnote like the Federalists.
Chris Ladd has gone public with the thoughts that so many sensible Republicans are saying privately and he puts it out there so well. I have been a life long Democrat and I will remain one. We have had our share of problems, like getting too cozy with Wall Street and others who play both sides of the aisle. Fortunately, we have had the good sense to avoid a raving narcisistic egotist who plays to racists, sexists and panders to the worst elements of society in an effort to continue turning this democratic republic into a toy box for the likes of the Koch brothers and their ilk.
For those who have posted that they hate Hillary Clinton so much that they will hold their breath and vote for Trump, I can only wonder where they left their brains. Despite all of the evil garbage that the Fox noisemakers and their followers dream up and accuse her of, even if true, she stands heads and shoulders above Trump and his followers. She did not cause a massive near shut down of the George Washington Bridge to punish a mayor of a town on the NJ side who would not support his reelection bid. He (Trump wants that guy who did it as his attorney general). She did not create so much scandal as Mayor of NYC as did Rudy Giuliani forcing him to give it up). And he had the audacity to demand that she go to jail. She has not labelled all Mexicans and Muslims as unfit to live in this country. (Can we expect Trump and company to tear down the welcome beacon atop the statute of liberty?) She did not get us into two incredibly foolish wars based on outdated intelligence and a set of twisted lies and screw up the entire mid-East while at it while at the same time cutting taxes on the super rich and then claim that someone else was responsible for running up the national debt.
To my Republican friends who still have the ability to think rationally, hold your nose if you must, but vote for Hillary. At least you will know that your children and mine will not be on their way to the mid-East or somewhere else to fight in another war because of the abject stupidity of a bumbling President who promises to violate many of the treaties that we are party to, such as NATO and exposes our heretofore allies to the whims of a man that he has professed is a leader whose tactics he admires so much, Vladimir Putin.
More humor! Thanks for lightening the conversation!
Graig Tappe …;gainfully employed spreading negativity and adding nothing new, thoughtful, helpful, positive or good to the mix.
Is that what a so called Patriot as you call yourself does? Vitriolic is not the same as being Patriotic…
Tappe I really can’t believe you’re still dishing the same mindless claptrap. No one of your comments, or any combination of same, has brought anything to the discussion but your lack of common sense, lack of knowledge of American History and lack of manners your Mother must have, at one time, tried to teach you. When you raise the the war (Unless you’re not of legal age to vote) you surely must be referring to Iraq. That was the war that we were thrust into based of the WMDs that were proven to be there by the the administration of the moment which was W. and friends. Yep, were still trying to get out of that mess and the power vacuum it continues to create. Many of us haven’t forgotten the forged letter of sale of yellow cake, which, when it was outed, lead to the exposure by that administration of an undercover U.S. Government agent in Bagdad . Then we had the FEMA debacle with Katrina etcetera ad infinitum. Those were real things. We then had to go through the most obnoxious 8 years of combat with the GOP who’s agenda was to keep the President from accomplishing anything. That may have been a time when you were seeking truth in some other field, and for that we can forgive your lapse. But please take some time read a good recent history book and give a us a break.
Thank you, John, for helping us keep this blog civil and intelligent.
Oh, wow! Have you been imbibing on that Democratic Kool-Ade! Your facts are woefully incorrect. Christie has never been shown to have been involve in the GW Bridge incident, which was really nothing more than a molehill made into a mountain by the liberal press once it appeared that he might be considering running for President. I have no idea to what “scandal” you are referring to with respect to Rudy Guiliani, who fulfilled his two terms in office and became “America’s Mayor” after 9/11. As far as Trump “labeling all Mexicans and Muslims as unfit to live in this country”, well he just never said that. What he HAS said is that he wants those people who are here ILLEGALLY to be deported back to their home countries and then they can attempt to return by following the law. I had an interesting conversation last weekend with a gentleman for who was born here but whose family had come from the Domincan Republic. Somehow the conversation had turned to politics and he asked me who I was voting for. When I said that I was still undecided as I am an independent, he said that he was voting for Trump. I was very surprised and asked him why, given all of his wall talk and everything. He said that the Hispanics and Latinos that he knows,who are here legally, want the wall because the illegals are taking jobs away from them. He really was all about Trump creating jobs.
As for Muslims, all he has asked for is a moratorium on acceptance of Syrian refugees until the FBI can develop some system to properly vet them to insure that there are no ISIS operatives posing as refugees to gain access to our country. He has never said that “no Muslims will ever enter this country again”; he just wants better screening, which the FBInjas admitted it cannot do perform on all of the “refugees”. A lot of the people trying to gain refugee status are not actually fleeing the war in Syria, but are coming from other Muslim nations, trying to gain access to our economic opportunities by posing as Syrian refugees, so we really do need accurate, complete getting of who is entitled to refugee status and who is not. That is all Trump has advocated, but the Democrats and the liberal media have blown it into something different.
As for Hillary and the Democrats, until they distance themselves from race-baiters like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson and BLM, and until they stop taking money from George Soros and Warren Buffet, they hav no right to criticize anyone else’s supporters. Hillary cannot be trusted, in fact 68% of Americans have indicated that they do not trust her. I listened to Director Comey’s findings and as an attorney, I know many prosecutors who have said that they definitely WOULD have prosecuted on those findings. He even testified to Congress that “extremely careless” equals the “gross negligence” required under the statute. She should have been indicted. That way, a grand jury of regular American citizens could have reviewed the evidence and given the people an honest assessment of whether or not she should stand trial, without all of the political maneuvering that went on and which taints the public’s perception of the situation. As it stands now, more people believe that she mishandled state secrets than not and that has damaged her, perhaps irreparably.
What the Democrats do not seem to understand is that Americans are angry at “the system.” Whether it is Democrats who voted for Bernie Sanders or Republicans who voted for Donald Trump (who, BTW, both agree that TPP should never be approved), people are showing that they are not happy with the status quo, with the established politics (and the professional politicians in Trump’s case). To quote the famous line from “Network”: “we’re mad as hell and not going to take it anymore”!
And, you call yourself “undecided”? One pinnochio for you.
Donald Trump has nothing to offer to the nation, unfortunately the party is torn apart and less hope to succeed. There is something wrong with Donald Trump and meeting Hilary Clinton on Presidential debate will be the end of a leader who is out of order and no sense of direction. Hilary Clinton will make him look stupid and act unfit to be a commander in chief.
There were lots of people who thought Donald Trump would be eviscerated on the primary debate stage. He wasn’t. He has managed to hone deflection to a fine art and significantly, the moderators have allowed him to get away with it. Plus, we don’t know what the GOPe and Trump will throw at HRC between now and the debates and the election. There will be more ugliness, that you can count on, and there is tremendous confusion and misdirection right now on the eve of the Dem Convention. This doesn’t help Clinton nor the down ticket candidates.
An indictment of the Republican party, the Democratic party and all of us who have let it come to this.
Voting for the lesser of two evils is still choosing evil. #neverclinton #nevertrump #voteforgary garyjohnson2016.com
Voting for Johnson in an attempt to defeat anyone is ridiculous! A vote for Johnson doesn’t defeat anyone in favor of Johnson. It simply tps the scales in favor of the socialist felons! But then again, who cares this Cycle. It is Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum anyway. So vote for whomever you wish! Our Republic died 4 years ago anyway! Fortunately I will be dead before we become Socialist Europe, but some of you will experience it, and maybe remember you were warned by an old fool on an internet discussion.
R.I.P., Craig.
Don’t forget Socialist Australia, Socialist New Zealand and all the other Richer , Wealthier, Safer more prosperous Socialist where ever’s..where democracy, People before Corporations, Society without fear and equality and unity through Common cause and the greater good…bring people together…where prosperity is not a hope and a dream but a reality and people do not have to fear the creations of their own institutions gone wayward, hijacked or bought are going to be turned against them.
I’m not saying a country like mine (Australia) is without problems and issues…but there are enough of those around at any given time anywhere than to have to create so many unnecessary self destructive life sapping, fear creating ones that seem to thrive here…they do no one any good, provide nothing that benefit most and only make the aspirations that ALL people have and share that much harder for most of them, whether they see it , believe it or know it yet….but the facts, the figures and the growing reality among more and more people suggest it is real and it is getting worse.
And Craig…your attitude, demeanor, anger and negativity is helping anything or anyone a single bit.
Pragmatically, the November election will still be one between only the Democrats and the Republicans. So my question to the dropouts is basic: For whom will you vote, Mrs. Clinton? Our republic has a proven system of checks and balances. I’m giving it one more chance to still do its job, even on a President Trump. The alternative of surrendering the Supreme Court, a capable military, the hope of downsizing our bloated government and the world’s need for our exceptionalism is too implausible to consider. If the election were held today, I would vote for Mr. Trump.
Jim Jones, 80, an Oak Parker in So. Calif.
Your right, the nation’s loss.
Mr. Jones, if you’re asking the world, I believe they want Hillary. Do you have grandkids? Have you asked them?
The notable exception is Vladimir Putin. Think about that for a minute.
If you’re pro-military, you can’t vote Trump. He’s stated he’ll shirk our NATO responsibilities, and he’s aligned himself with unstable dictatorial regimes instead of democratic, stable, sovereign countries. He’s shown a willingness to torture and authorize executions which, if implemented, would amount to war crimes. And he’s basically called military members who were captured by the enemy losers (John McCain). So, unless you want to make our country less safe, less stable, and put a commander in chief in charge that is likely to let our captured combatants rot in enemy custody, I suggest you rethink your candidate (or at least, if you can’t vote for Hillary, vote for Johnson or Stein or someone else).
It is at least more moral to step away from Fascism at a late stage than to persist with it. The obvious corollary though, and one which the GOP needs to acknowledge is that the rise of fascism comes when Big Business dominates democracy, when Education is devalued and when people are treated as assets of a corporation. The GOP is complicit in creating the conditions for it to prosper.
Just remember that democracy means the rule of the people. It is a proud sound bite of US governments that it is “government of the people by the people”. Yeah right.
And to those who persist in following Trump I say this: You need to look really hard at what is attracting you to him: a protest vote, racism or simply a combination of ignorance and stupidity. HE is not the solution to the problem – he is the symptom of the problem. Insanely rich man claims to speak for the people. Over in the UK Nigel Farage claimed the same thing after making a fortune in commodities trading. He seemed unable to pass by a pub without popping in for a pint. This he thought, painted him as a man of the people. Well let me assure you that there is a sizable proportion of the people who cannot afford to pay pub prices for alcohol. Trump is pulling the same schtick and getting away with it.
“You need to look at what is attracting you to him (Trump)”. Indeed. At least be honest about your reasons, because only then will you begin to understand yourself and your own fears and anger. I doubt many Trump supporters are gtiving this critically important decision this level of total honesty, but they should. Why would we hold our elected leaders to a lower standard than we apply to our own moral integrity?
Over the years, from my vantage point, the Republican Party has acted a lot like an addict. For me, it starts with Nixon. He made the GOP seem like a bunch of mean drunks.Then when Reagan took the helm of the GOP, it was on to the hippie drugs, weed and LSD. We don’t need those depressing facts that old Jimmy Carter was trying to push on us. NOOOO! Let’s just feel good. You know, just tune in, turn on, cut taxes (because you know, saving for tomorrow is a real drag, man), screw the air-traffic controllers and the mentally ill and drop out (Bush 1). By the time W took over, the GOP had moved on to cocaine. Don’t worry about the money. That’s what credit cards are for. Just keep the good time (for defense contractors) rolling. Now we have the Donald Trump GOP. I liken it to a crack whore giving out $2 blow jobs in the back of the porno theater to afford their next fix.
You would think, as a former Democrat, this would excite me, but it doesn’t. The US needs a healthy and sane GOP. Especially now that the Debbie Wasserman-Schultz has decided to play, “whatever a man can do, a woman can do better” when it comes to political scandals. As a boy even, I understood, the Democrats had the moral advantage but they were clueless. The Republicans weren’t as moral, but they got shit done. It was a decent balance. Now, both parties have decided to have a race to the bottom.
But back to the addict thing, once an addict hits rock bottom, they can do one of two things: die or get better. I cannot see the “Grand Old Party” dying any time soon so I guess getting better is probably the option they will go with. At least I hope so. I really do. But in case they don’t and they join the Democrats on the wrong side of history…well, let’s just say I’m happy my children are also Japanese and if need be, I can become a refugee in Japan.
That is one of the best write ups I have seen in months. Bravo!
Tim, I enjoyed reading your comments made me laugh.
Cheers
I’m impressed. I sincerely hope this snowballs into the wakeup America needs.
I will not give up the Supreme court to Hillary.Trump cant run things alone.. remember that.. I believe his heart is good.. and he is a bit brash and ADD.. but I can live with that over Hillarys ruin and global agenda.. sorry sell out.. get over it..
Lisa, I don’t know what to say to you other than you don’t have a clue.
Lisa Lowe clearly doesn’t mean what “sell out” means.
“…a bit brash?” That’s like calling the the fate of those on the Titanic, “kind of a shitty day.”
Lisa,
Can you share some of what you’ve been smoking so the rest of us can be just as delusional and out of touch with reality as you are?
Have fun being one of the “good nazis”!
The SCOTUS is one of the main reasons that I will vote for Hillary. The legal opinions of the Scalia-Alito-Thomas segment make me nervous as hell.
Wow! You really believe Trump has a good heart? Really? Oh, my.
24 hours ago, I didn’t know that this blog existed. I didn’t know Chris Ladd, 1mime, Bridget, and many of the other thoughtful contributors to what may be the most refreshing political discussions that I’ve read in a long time.
After reading every single post and response, though, I have to say that this is the most positive that I’ve felt in months. While I’m tempted to say, “Let’s form an Aisle Party for those of us in the middle of the extremists!”, I understand that there are enough differences among us still to support (at least) two parties! That said, two parties that disagree with the level of thoughtful civility demonstrated in this blog are OK by me! As one poster pointed out, when a vile, hateful nut breaks in, their ignorance stands out immediately and their rants are basically ignored.
I see the seeds of recovery…
To me, it seems that we have a choice between what might at best be called centrism and a bunch of reastionaries. I actually remember the 1970’s. By those standards*, or at least those of the early ’70s, what we have now is a choice between moderate Republicans and raving reactionaries. The Democratic wing of the Democratic party isn’t represented, unfortunately.
———
*Nixon did a number of things well to the left of the stances Obama has taken. Nixon proposed a national health plan. http://khn.org/news/nixon-proposal/ He also instituted price controls and the EPA! Title IX, which has supported women’s equality in a big way, dates to this era as well. I could go on, but you get the idea. But don’t get the idea that I liked him. He did a bunch of other stuff that was despicable. Just ask any older Cambodian! Unfortunately, militarism is a bipartisan disease.
Yes; people tend to overlook the fact that Nixon actually accomplished a lot of good as well as a lot of evil. And while the former does not negate the heinousness of the latter, it seems that the latter has succeeded in erasing from many people’s minds all knowledge of the former. A pity; good deeds should always be remembered, and for the good deeds that they are.
Many of the party regulars were upset with Reagan and didn’t want him as their candidate. Maybe the party needs to work on a new paradigm. The “leadership” has apparently lost touch with its members. Trump won the nomination. You didn’t get to dictate your preference. Go on home to Momma boy! You don’t have to believe it; you just have to realize it.
Great response Mike. I’m afraid too few of us will take your Reagan history lesson seriously though as this has been a spoiler party not a commentary by GOP real lifers discussion. And I will be the first to say people have the right to make their own decisions. It’s just too bad that there are so many banding together to cry in their milk.
They never were GOP Lifers in all reality.
Such a courage. Thumbs up!
You know I consider Chris Ladd’s GOP resignation letter the same way I consider Hillary Clinton’s political experience a foundation to qualify her to be our next President.
In Hillary’s case holding an particular political office does not equal experience, not always good experience anyway.
In Hillary’s case it just proves her failure to be able to perform at the level needed in every political position Hillary has held.
In Chris Ladd’s case we had a GOP member who as long as our Candidate met Chris’s narrow-focused personal agenda Chris would remain a GOP Lifer (Cough, cough…).
However, as soon as Chris and others were out voted with a Candidate that is/was cut from a different fabric then Chris’s narrow-views required the GOP Lifer wasn’t really a GOP Lifer.
So in reality all the people posting their agreement and pledging their willingness in believing they too will leave the GOP were never GOP Lifers anyway.
Just wanna be controllers of the Party membership in it’s entirety, but the Party membership said “No”, and now just as spoiled children do the pout, cry, and leave and go home.
Sorry, there were no real GOP lifers here. Just a bunch of spoiled children.
There were no real GOPlifers here, just a bunch of spoiled children.
Feel better? You are correct in one regard, most commentators to GOPlifer’s blog were not Republicans – at least, anymore. America is “still” a democracy and therefore freedom of speech allows you or anyone to express their views without penalty. In Lifer’s blog, however, we insist upon more substance than simple pot shots. Vote how you wish but keep the smirch and innuendo where it belongs – GOP blogs. You will find a comfortable home there with such an attitude. Fits right in. Not here.