The Republican brand has gone from shiny to tarnished to toxic
The Republican brand has gone from shiny to tarnished, to full-blown toxic.
Republicans used to be fiscally conservative with taxpayer’s money. They used to shun government mandates/controls over us. Republicans used to be respectful. You know, disagreeing without being disagreeable. Not anymore.
The leader of the Republican Party, President Donald Trump is TOTALLY responsible for making the party toxic.
Personal attacks, insults, mocking, and bullying are now the norm coming from him and his people.
To the toxicity add ignoring Congress and an open disdain for the courts that amounts to lawlessness. Think about his words that alienate our allies. Think about his praise of dictators.
His negative behavior has infected all of us. Civility is disappearing. Frustration, friction, and anger are growing.
Republicans used to be interested in building bridges. Now they only want to build walls with razor wire at the top and bottom.
The Republican-controlled Senate and House of Representatives can’t find the courage to tell Trump to STOP. They either agree with everything or are gutless.
Unless he dies, is impeached, or resigns, we are stuck with Trump and his ilk for two more years. Even if he leaves it is obvious Vice President Vance will continue the toxic behavior.
What can we, the voters, do?
It’s simple, we must vote out those supporting the toxicity, at the national and state level. That includes his followers running in the legislature.
Neither of our South Dakota Senators have publicly stood up to Trump. One of them is on the November ballot. Our current Republican Governor supports Trump and, therefore, his toxicity. Our current Republican Attorney General, who wants to be our next member of Congress, had his picture taken with Trump. Both of them giving the “Thumbs Up,” gesture.
Are all Republican elected officials bad, nasty people?
No. But none of them have publicly criticized or renounced Trump’s toxicity.
The only logical conclusion is that they support it or are gutless.
We can’t let that continue.
Rick Knobe is a former mayor of Sioux Falls and long time radio talk show host, now retired
Photo: 1910 depiction of the GOP, public domain, wikimedia commons
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