When the Dust Settles: My Future vision for the G.O.P.
After the unfortunate and chaotic events that occurred at the US Capitol a few days ago, I have been deeply questioning what direction the G.O.P. (Grand Old Party) should take in the post-Trump era. Will the Republican Party make changes or stay consistent with business as usual? There is much to be determined, but in the grand scheme, something needs to change. This change can come from the younger generation of Republicans. We must do our damnedest to lay a much stronger foundation that will last. One that will be welcoming and not build walls. One that will stand for the rule of law but prevent the erosion of liberty and individual freedoms.
All things considered, this foundation must adhere to our principles but welcome bipartisanship. It must ensure the separation and balance of powers to protect our institution.
Something that terrified me about the Republican Party under President Trump was how some of his supporters automatically disavowed bipartisanship, labeling some Republicans as “Republican In Name Only” should they vote for or against a certain bill. Many comments on media Facebook pages such as Fox News, would show comments that any judges that ruled against or politicians who voted against Trump’s policies even once would be considered “traitors.”
Still this attitude is present, Vice President Pence and Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) did not go against the state-electors because of their constitutional obligations. People must realize if Congress were to get involved changing the outcome of an election, it only opens the door for this to become normal.
Of course many conservatives are outraged. On Ben Shapiro’s post some comments read: “This Rino is going to be an endangered species,” and “Another RINO expose, Mike Lee will go on the swamp drain list.” Little do many of these people know, Senator Lee voted against impeachment and has voted with President Trump about 75% of the time.
Anyone that believes our judicial and legislative branches of government must follow the demands of our president all of the time is asking for trouble. Our institution is not meant to cater to the executive. We as a nation would be embarking down a dangerous path if we granted absoluteness to a sitting president with no checks and balances.
We must embrace our friends on the other side of the aisle to encourage camaraderie and civility. We must talk to each other. The Republican Party also cannot associate with President Trump any longer, but the party must not shun out people who supported him. This would not be helpful and would only aim to cause further division. Many people will find that we all have common goals even though we land on opposite sides of the political spectrum or somewhere in between.
I have been a Republican most of my life, but I have no shame in saying I was a Democrat first. I grew up in a middle class household that was overall in a decent spot. We all grow and change our beliefs as we get older and become more exposed to the world. I do have libertarian tendencies such that I support ending wars in the Middle East, legalizing marijuana, reigning in civil asset forfeiture, embracing free trade, and protecting all amendments of the constitution, which is something every single member of Congress should be doing. Nonetheless, I try to see all sides of the political spectrum as all views should be given a chance to be heard.
Now, I find myself at a crossroads with the political party I have given my allegiance to, when deserved, for most of my adult life. Being a “Never Trump Republican” was not hard for me to embrace as I could see the damage Trump could potentially do to the party in the long term. I did not vote for him in 2016 nor 2020, but I do understand why he won. He captured the forgotten middle class and they responded appropriately. However, his divisive rhetoric, lack of civility, and attacks on people during the election cycle in my mind were not traits of a good leader.
One of his most notable and cringe-worthy quotes was directed to the late Senator John McCain (R-Arizona). “I like people who weren’t captured” and “I don’t like losers.” How could someone attack a person who served our country and be elected to arguably the most noble office in America? I would often ask myself this. On election day of 2016, I casted my vote for Libertarian Candidate Gary Johnson and other federal, state, and local candidates. I found myself slightly in dismay as red covered the electoral map on election night. I honestly expected Hillary Clinton to pull out the win, but that was not the case. This yet brought to me wonder how was this possible considering the rhetoric Trump echoed. This would become clearer much later on.
President Trump’s attacks on our media, on people who disagree with him, and those who challenged him even in Congress (as it should when necessary) assist in slowly eradicating the constitution and our system of government. Journalists trying to question him about his administration’s Covid-19 response showed his disdain for the media as an institution, while not perfect, is necessary to hold our leaders accountable, and get important information to the people. Questioning was necessary as confusion sowed in because of a lack of unified response and President Trump’s continual downplay of the virus.
The party must protect free-speech and the freedom to assemble peacefully whether we agree with it or not. The incident in Lafayette Square earlier last year was an attack on the 1st Amendment. Protesters assembled peacefully to only be tear-gassed so the president could complete a photo-op. The administration would ultimately deny this, but it was obvious this was deliberately planned. The president and his officials wouldn’t have been out there if that weren’t the case.
As this list of grievances stretches on, the end is near, I can provide example after example to showcase the concerns I have had, but nothing worries me more about the abandonment of our principles and the possible damage done to our institution. The Republican Party has failed to live up to our core principles of limited government, reducing the national debt, chastising the use of executive orders, declining to support free-trade, and support of “red-flag” laws. Don’t worry this list isn’t exhaustive either. President Trump has also failed to live up many of these he claimed to be support. He doesn’t support federalism claiming when somebody is president, authority is “total.”
President Trump has also not necessarily been a fan of the second amendment by claiming he likes to “take the guns first, go through due process second.” He banned bump stocks unlike his predecessor, President Obama. Trump has supported the Patriot Act, revived the death penalty at the federal level, has supported arms to Saudi Arabia, a crackdown on vaping products, and supports central planning. He is no friend of conservative policies. Well, so the ones the party used to support, or claims to anyway.
The courage held by Senator Mitt Romney and former Republican turned Libertarian Congressman Justin Amash (unfortunately Rep. Amash did not seek re-election), should be something to idolize. These men, while I may not always agree with their policy, have not been afraid to be outspoken and stand for their beliefs. These two supported one or two of the Articles of Impeachment against Trump and stood with their convictions. Both illustrated that the executive and legislative branches can be called out for hypocrisy and failing to stand for principles whether constitutionally or on platform issues.
This is what the Republican Party needs to represent going forward. The stain of Donald Trump needs to be erased. To do that we need to get back to our primary roots. We must support and advocate for our key principles all the time such as balancing the debt, protecting the Bill of Rights, and standing firm in protecting our institutions. Keeping the balance of power between the branches of government ensures our democracy will continue.
We must reject newcomers in the party that supports the KKK, white supremacy, and bigotry. We must call out members of our party at any level of government when they seek division or go against our values.
We must fight for the middle class. Attacks on Social Security, that Americans pay into, must end. Healthcare has to be streamlined in this country.
We must also take care of our environment. Protecting our beautiful yet fragile ecosystems and national parks that house some of the most beautiful scenes this world has to offer is not partisan. We must get behind ending climate change to ensure future generations have a place to call home. Many in the G.O.P. have been skeptical of it even though the NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine has had a change of heart. He now believes in climate change after years of beckoning against it in the house.
The G.O.P. does not have to abandon its principles, but we must evolve with the times. The party must also change how it governs (Democrats included). Future House and Senate Republican leaders must stand for debate amongst colleagues, simplified bills that are single issue-oriented and not 5,000 pages long. Transparency for the American people will garner their trust if Republicans can show them, they can trust those that have the fortunate privilege to represent them in Congress.
To do all of this, the party must take a long hard look in the mirror. Only then, when the dust settles, may the conviction and dedication to change payoff for the party, the republic, but more importantly the American people.
