If there’s anything the most recent Republican debate made certain, it’s that the grand ole’ party is hardly grand anymore. We’ve seen this to be truer than ever in the recent months of the current presidential election cycle, where the party’s original pool of thirteen candidates has dwindled to four throughout the course of name-calling, trash-talking, and bullying and scapegoating minorities. This election season is a circus, save for the statesman that is Governor John Kasich of Ohio.
What is this obsession with political correctness?
When Republicans really started cracking down on political correctness in the beginning of this election cycle, many voters (some Democrats too) responded positively to the message that was essentially saying: “people are getting offended too easily, and now they’re trying to censor you.” The idea of censorship -- especially the rise in powerful corporate media -- is terrifying. But this message is flawed. First, the Republicans who complain nonstop about political correctness are the least respectful, caring people in the race. Donald Trump moans and whines about not being able to call Muslims terrorists but will happily talk about the size of his d*** on national primetime. Second, “political correctness” is not an attempt at censoring people’s ideas -- it is that historically degrading words have no place in mature discussions. Language is powerful, and if adults can’t find a way to phrase things without attacking people’s identities, or adding to people’s lived dehumanization, maybe they shouldn’t be talking. Not because they’re being censored, but because they don’t deserve the voice so many others don’t have.
Why are Republican candidates selling their souls for endorsements?
Governor Nikki Haley of South Carolina has created jobs in South Carolina, she empowers young (often minority) children, and the biggest criticisms she’s faced by her constituency are that she removed the Confederate flag from the state house.
That is why it’s absurd that she endorsed Marco Rubio for President in the South Carolina primary. Maybe he promised her VEEP, but we’ve known well before New Hampshire there is no version of this election where Marco Rubio has a respectable run. If anything, she’d want to endorse John Kasich, Governor of Ohio -- whose similarities with her could have been brought to light and gotten him the win in South Carolina. But because wimpy Rubio is the party’s favorite, she endorsed him.
Also bizarre is Chris Christie’s endorsement of Donald Trump. It’s marvelous how Christie had such a profound change of heart after spending months trashing Donald Trump relentlessly on the trail (and killing him in debates). Could he be catering to the party establishment’s demands?
Even Mitt Romney, who comes across as a voice of reason in this whole fiasco, was so grateful in 2012 to receive Donald Trump’s endorsement -- but he came out four years later and destroyed Trump in a scathing speech.
No one is held accountable
If the Republican party cared at all about justice, they would have spent a fraction of the time, energy, and resources they wasted in their seven different investigations of Hillary Clinton and her private email server on holding their candidates accountable. Instead, the RNC Chair requested that all candidates agree to support the eventual nominee, regardless.
And yet, the Federal Elections Committee is again investigating Ted Cruz’s campaign finances. He deliberately misinforms voters about his and his opponents’ campaigns, and by the weekend of March 5, Ted Cruz’s status of eligibility was still undetermined because he was born in Canada.
Marco Rubio has used a GOP credit card for vacations and home renovations; his spending habits and financial acumen have not only been criticized by the New York Times and CNBC moderator Becky Quick, but he himself has admitted to having poor “bookkeeping skills.”
Donald Trump’s wealth comes from the business he inherited from his father, and all of his multiple business ventures have failed miserably. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom parliament is currently debating whether or not to ban him from their country, something Mexico City lawmakers have already voted in favor of. I wonder how nicely that will work out for foreign relations. Finally, he has not released one single policy proposal. All he does is say, “trust me,” and you know what? That’s what he told the people investing in the mortgage company he created right before the greatest recession since the Great Depression. So uh, maybe trusting him is a bad idea.
These three candidates are entirely unreliable - does the party not even care?
The hypocrisy is unreal
One of conservatism’s greatest principles is little governmental interference in citizens’ lives. It protects people’s privacy and from abuse, but this got lost in the rubble.
When they try to tear down equity and equality programs like social security, welfare, Medicaid, and Medicare, Republican leaders whip out small government, and throw it out the window when it comes to forcing Apple to create a way for the FBI (and anyone else) to physically hack an iPhone.
They are all for small government, unless it comes to spending tons of resources to fight abortion rights, and equal marriage rights, both of which have been already sanctioned by the Supreme Court.
How can we turn this election around?
This is not representative of all Republicans, both politicians and citizens. Quite frankly, we are at the point where politicians’ ridiculous allegiances to their party prevent them from putting the good of the United States first, let alone create meaningful change; and this is costing us national security, a fair quality of life, social mobility, and ultimately, the representation and leadership the American people deserve.
