One Republican Calls Out His Party for Doing Nothing

Doing Nothing is SOP for the Right Wing

I swear this is true, one Republican is calling out his party for doing nothing. Fact: The men and women who call themselves “Republicans” have failed to accomplish anything for the majority of our nation’s people for the last 42 years. In 1981 the focus of all right-wing politicians became winning elections. Elections are frequently decided by the amount of money spent by each candidate. Therefore, during the first year of the Reagan administration, the focus of his party became special interests: specifically, our nation’s billionaires. Money is the only thing of importance in politics and business if you reside in America.

An old word, not used today to describe a man or woman who fought through difficulty and possible criticism was “stoic.” In simple terms, it meant having the courage to do the right thing, regardless of the consequences. The reason it is all but forgotten is that no one in our government who sits on the right side of the aisle possesses this admirable attribute.

Since the time of Reagan, there has been an unwritten rule that no one disagrees with the party’s leader, usually the man living at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The best example of this fact happened on January 20, 2017. On that one day, dozens of Republicans who swore not to support Trump became hypocrites and surrendered their morals, principles, and integrity to the worst man in the world.

Breaking with Party Policy

That’s why on Wednesday when Texas Representative, Chip Roy called out his fellow fake Republicans for “doing nothing,” I was both shocked and pleased. If anything defines the essence of America it is free thought and free expression. Without the ability to think for ourselves the United States does not exist. And, although I believe that the issue which upset Congressman Roy was a lesser priority, it was based on one of the real issues which must be addressed by congress: sensible and realistic immigration reform.

This is what the Republican Congressman had to say.

If you do not secure the border now, you are giving up any argument you have for the American people to put their faith in you. Will Republicans honor their campaign commitments to secure the border, yes or no?

What I am seeing right now from my Republican colleagues does not give me faith that they will stand up in the breach, as did those men who stood on the wall at the Alamo.

I am tired of words. Things are going to chance in this body. If my Republican colleagues believe they are going to be moving through relatively meaningless provisions, doing precious damn little for the very people who sent us here to change things, and they think that some of us are just going to go along for the ride, they are sorely mistaken. We will not.

Moscow Mitch McConnell Created the “Party of No”

Never forget that the “party of no” was created in January 2009, after the inauguration of President Barack Obama. Moscow Mitch McConnell and then Speaker of the House, John Boehner, stood before the television cameras and made the following promise. “Our party will do nothing until that man is out of office. We intend to ensure that he will be a one-term president.” (I paraphrase).

This was not only a declaration of the intent to be the party of obstructionism, it was racist.

This is why this weekend’s CPAC was prophetic. A party divided by loyalty and extremist factions cannot survive, and it is clear that the Republican Party of our fathers and grandfathers is nothing but a memory in 2023.

Our Election Process is Lacking in Information and too Expensive

One of the most needed reforms in our government is how we hold elections. No other developed country has a campaign season lasting as long as that of our country. In recent years they have begun as early as 18-24 months prior to election day. This is not only unnecessary, but the cost is also ludicrous. Television ads fill the airways and offer absolutely no information about where the candidates stand on important issues. Therefore, most election results are based on what voters see and hear on the “boob tube.” This makes our people the least informed and ignorant in the free world.

We can and we must do better.

By James Turnage

Find my nine novels on Amazon’s Kindle

Sources:

ABC News: Republicans torn over reduced CPAC, party divides

Newsweek: Republican Goes on Tirade Against His Own Party During House Speech

Top And Featured Image Courtesy of Gage Skidmore‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License