08/18/16
Hello Trump, Good Bye GOP?
"The reality is that we now have to defend a foul mouth, vile, unhinged,
unprincipled candidate," lamented a respected Christian leader supporting
Trump. After the impressive field of candidates, the primary voters including
many Democrats in open primaries, have given us Trump.
This leaves many voters both dismayed and disgusted. To be clear, I am not an
establishment or a big donor Republican. For many years I have been a
grassroots activist volunteer working to elect principled, conservative
Republicans. And once elected, holding them accountable.
There is plenty of blame to go around explaining the current situation. First,
the party establishment and leadership refused to fight the disastrous Obama
agenda. The usually reliable conservative media including, Fox Network, Rush
Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Matt Drudge and Breitbart news, rode the Trump train
early on. Their role in giving us Trump is undeniable.
One especially surprising group-some Christian pastors and leaders. A group of
about 1000 of them were invited to meet with Trump at a carefully orchestrated
meeting. Many afterwards came away impressed and inclined to support Trump.
They said Trump professed to be prolife, pro religious liberty and would
appoint conservative Supreme Court Justices. Years of political experience has
shown me that a campaign conversion is the weakest assurance of a candidate's
future positions. Nothing is better than a proven track record. Unfortunately,
Trump’s record is one supporting just about everything conservative
Republicans oppose.
As a Republican Party faithful, I am a true believer. I believe I was called
to be salt and light in this political arena. The sanctity of life issue is
very important. Yet I am to overlook Trump’s defense of Planned
Parenthood. Supposedly the social issues don’t matter this election cycle.
Doesn’t character matter? Any individual lacking in character does not
deserve an elected office. Trump has shown he will say or do whatever it takes
to "win". He changes positions as needed, including his on abortion 3, 4 times
within a few days. His campaign has said his proposals are "suggestions", a
sort of starting point for negotiations.
In fact, recently he was quoted in the New York Times Magazine when asked
about the importance of maintaining a Republican Senate, saying, "Well, I'd
like them to do that. But I don't mind being a free agent either." Surely he
knows that with a Democrat Senate, his main agenda items, Supreme Court
nominees, the wall and illegal immigration, would be blocked. That statement
clearly undermines the reasons many give for supporting him.
Yet the party demands that I once again hold my nose and vote Trump. Oh yes,
I've done that with Dole, McCain and Romney so much so I think my nose will
break. Trump is the last straw and I will not be badgered, bullied, guilt
tripped or insulted into voting for him.(Although, living in the bluest state
of California my non vote for Trump is of no consequence.)
Simon & Garfunkel lyrics in the song "Mrs. Robinson" really convey the
predicament:
"Going to the candidates' debate
Laugh about it, shout about it
When you've got to choose
Every way you look at this you lose."
Today, for the first time, I am seriously considering leaving the GOP. With
Trump as its head, it has rejected principle, integrity and truth. Thus it has
left me.
“if to please the people, we offer what we ourselves disapprove, how can we
afterwards defend our work? Let us raise a standard to which the wise and
honest can repair. The rest is in the hands of God.”
George Washington
Sylvia Sullivan
(Republican Party involvement includes serving multiple terms on the San Diego
County Republican Central Committee and Executive Committee. Was an appointed
delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1992. Currently is appointed
to the State of California Republican Party. As well as serving as the
President of the East County California Republican Assembly since the early
2000’s. Worked in countless campaigns to help elect conservative Republicans
by volunteering to precinct walk, make phone calls, and distribute voter info,
organizing slate mailers, forums and debates.)
La Mesa, CA
sylvias@usa.net
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