Forgive me for once again "going long," as they say in football, but I feel it important and necessary to explain why I am strongly considering a vote for Hillary Clinton - not in spite of being a Republican, but BECAUSE I am a Republican. I don't totally agree with everything and am genuinely frightened by what I see as the left's defeatist and historically deaf notion that the social and economic injustices of the private sector can be ended by further consolidating money and power within a federal government which claims to protect freedom while macro-managing as much of society as its escalating tax rates and intrusive information-gathering tools will allow. However, I see Donald Trump as the kind of candidate that will likely self-destruct and take the party and maybe the country with them. To me, he embodies every negative stereotype used to describe us for decades.
I believe that this is what happens when we become so rigidly partisan that we no longer respect basic public service. Both parties are somewhat divided nowadays, but with so many choices and chances to show just how diverse and politically thoughtful we can be, more Republicans than in any other primary season "went low" and fell prey to the very divisiveness they identified in the Obama administration's alleged class warfare and identity politics. They allowed themselves to be put on the defensive and politically alienated to the point of desperation and paranoia, now mistaking needed flexibility and compromise for political duality and betrayal. In tone, it is not unlike the way post World War 1 Russia AND Germany viewed and treated the governments of its czar and chancellor, respectively. At least they had better reasons, yet look how that turned out.
Even if news networks' obsession with Trump's indiscretions makes it easier to distract with accusations of media bias, two or more wrongs do not make a right. The relevance of Friday's video and ensuing accusations stems from Trump's lack of experience and legislative record, leaving only his character and largely hollow, cliche'd and unrealistic platform with which to judge his candidacy. This week's revelations confirm what many have seen and suspected since last year, when Trump even insulted and demeaned Megyn Kelly, an anchor at the politically sympathetic Fox News Network. That he makes light of such horrendous behavior (after a disingenuous apology) and now denies DOING just what he claimed suggests a man trapped in his own arrogance and delusion, offering nothing but fuel for his supporters' unreasoning hatred. Of all people, surely GOP Christians like myself see that a vote for Trump represents a serious lack of faith which, as a friend recently pointed out, is akin to worshiping an idol because it promises lower taxes, easier gun ownership, and religious liberty.
Even more consequential is Trump's internecine warfare, which uses words like "elite" and "establishment" to demean and accuse much-needed, would-be Republican allies like Speaker Paul Ryan, John McCain, etc. Whether due to ignorance or indifference to the way America's government was designed to operate, his accusations of inefficiency and being "bought" by "special interests" BECAUSE of elected officials' legislative experience are hypocritical so long as Trump is focused on not only saving, but expanding the coal and GOP-friendly oil industry. Furthermore, many of the Republican representatives that Trump supporters demonize began as the same kind of businessmen and political "outsiders" that Trump is now, swept into office to keep President Obama from doing his job, forcing him to resort to the executive orders for which he is criticized.
If elected, Donald Trump could find himself issuing some executive orders if Democrats retake the House and/or Senate and Republican lawmakers refuse to work with him. Republicans need to realize that he is sabotaging his own potential presidency before it begins by antagonizing and threatening the re-election chances of other Republicans in the House and Senate, without whom Trump will not be able to make all of his "great deals," let alone build walls or make anyone's tax rate as low as the absurd 15% he promises. Pardon the flowery pompousness, but I think that if it elects Donald Trump President, the party of Lincoln and Reagan will officially reject the principled optimism and personal compassion that made both presidents shine in dark times. If it were to unfold as many predict, a Trump Presidency could hurt or cripple the GOP for a generation... or even destroy it. Trump's loss, however, would hopefully stimulate much-needed reform within the party. That is why I see my choice as one that favors my party.
