Are you Still a Republican?

FLORIDA  

Opinion by:  
E. Eugene Webb PhD

Are you still a Republican? That is the question a lot of people whose party affiliation registration is Republican are asking.

There are many people who have been voting Republican for years that are now questioning whether the Republican Party still represents them. 

For years these have been the basic tenets or guiding principles of the Republican Party:

Limited Government: Republicans generally advocate for limited government intervention in the economy and individual lives. They emphasize the importance of personal freedom, individual liberty, and free markets.

Fiscal Conservatism: Republicans typically support lower taxes, reduced government spending, and a balanced budget. They often emphasize the role of free-market principles in fostering economic growth.

Strong National Defense: Republicans generally prioritize a strong national defense and robust military capabilities. They often advocate for a proactive approach to national security and the protection of American interests globally.

Individual Responsibility: Republicans tend to emphasize individual responsibility and self-reliance. They often favor policies that encourage personal accountability and limit government assistance programs.

Conservative Social Values: Many Republicans hold socially conservative views, often based on religious beliefs. These views may include opposition to abortion, support for traditional marriage, and a more limited role for government in social issues.

Today these tenants seem to have evolved into a more radicalized and obstructionist view of the conservative approach to governing.

As the 2024 election begins to unfold, the stark difference between what the Republican Party has stood for and where it is headed in the Donald Trump era should become readily apparent.

If you have an R beside your name on your voter registration card, you are going to have to make some serious decisions in the not-too-distant future.

You are going to hear a lot of talk about the threats to our democracy posed by the changes being imposed on the Republican Party by the far-right conservative wing. The relative ease with which long time constitutional Republican politicians are being swayed into the Trump way of thinking is deeply concerning.

The desire to remain in power seems to be seriously eroding rational thinking. 

If you are one of those people who like to wait till about two weeks before the election to get into the weeds of who's running and what they stand for, you may want to change that approach this year and start paying attention in the near future to what these people are really saying.

The one thing they are all right about now is this is a pivotal moment in the history of America. The outcome of the 2024 election will set the direction of this Country for decades to come.

This is not the time to argue about politics, it is the time to apply yourself and make sure the people that you are voting for represent the things that you believe in. 

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Disclosures: ai - Portions of this Post were prepared using an artificial intelligence source...