The Basic Republican Party Platform?
I live in a state in which the Republican controlled legislature is working hard to suppress the votes of the state’s citizens. I already know the why. They’re afraid of being out-voted in the next election. These Republicans, like many in other Republican controlled states, are both outraged and afraid that the state’s voters are turning away from the Republican Party.
My question is, why are the state’s rank and file Republican voters not calling, mailing, and emailing these representatives and putting them back on the democratic track? Removing people from the voter rolls, making voting more difficult, and in one actual case, proposing that the legislature choose the slate of electors regardless of the voter’s choice, are all in the queue for consideration this legislative season.
While this seems completely out of character for the political party claiming to be the party of patriotism, it isn’t. The suppression of votes has been a key tool in the party’s political toolbox since the end of the Civil War. It’s become even more prevalent since President Reagan was in charge. Recently though, it has been seen that voters are turning away from the Republican Party. At this point, it seems to be the only article in the Republican platform. More and more people who vote, are voting Democratic, as can be seen from the 2020 elections. Could the Republicans turn around their party with a platform that works for the people and not for the one percent? Perhaps. Perhaps it’s just too late.
Recently, Senator Cindy McCain, wife of deceased Senator John McCain, has been quoted as saying that they have to stop the party from being seen as the White Supremacist party. I’d say it’s too late for that. Voter suppression nearly always focuses on eliminating the votes of people of color and women. If you’ve been watching the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), run in late February, White Nationalist/Militia/QAnon themes run strongly through the speeches and activities. Several speakers at the CPAC, including Representative Gosar of Arizona, also spoke at or attended the nearby America First PAC along with Nicholas Fuentes, an American far-right political commentator and former representative Steve King, ousted for incendiary and racist speech. https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/paul-gosar-conference-holocaust-denier-fuentes
I’m not saying that Senator Cindy McCain is wrong. I just don’t believe that the current Republican Party is capable of retreating from the madness it has sunk to. They’re losing middle of the road and left’ish members, making the voices of moderation within the party fewer and fewer. They certainly aren’t attracting anyone but more ultra-right-wing people to the party. The Republican party’s platform has devolved to hatred of anyone not white, male, and full of fear and fury at the supposed loss of their privilege.
Taking away the votes of the majority of the country’s citizens doesn’t make the country safe or patriotic. It makes it an oligarchy. Not a good look for a country that’s supposed to be a nation, “of the people, by the people, and for the people.”
You can help. If your state is working on new voter suppression laws, call, email, write, or visit your representative’s office and let them know of your displeasure. Soon! Before you lose your vote.
