Why are so many Republicans endorsing the Democratic ticket in 2024?
The Make-America-Great-Again (MAGA) team would say these are Republicans-In-Name-Only (RINOs) showing their true stripes. But it’s bigger than that. Lifelong Republicans have specific reasons for being so – otherwise, they would have been Democrats. Let’s consider issues – foreign and domestic.
“Leader of the Free World” meant something to Ronald Reagan, who traveled to Berlin and challenged, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.” It meant something to the young men like my dad who volunteered to fight under Dwight Eisenhower to make the world safe for democracy. And it means something today to those who support the people of Ukraine against the Russian invader.
Donald Trump is the only president in my lifetime who has insulted our allies, aided our enemies and shouted “America First” as a foreign policy alternative.
Dick Cheney is a Republican that Democrats love to hate – big oil, foreign wars, etc. Yet, Cheney reflects mainstream Republican ideals of world leadership and anti-communism.
Republicans who carry this world view into the 2024 election will find it easier to vote Harris-Walz than Trump-Vance. Dick Cheney is.
“Live free or die.” At home, Republicans stand for rule-of-law, fiscal responsibility and personal freedom.
Trump would cut funding for the FBI and IRS while using the military for massive deportation and in cities where he determines there are problems. Harris doesn’t support any of this. The FBI handles internal security; the IRS goes after tax cheats and late-payers; and the military should stay the heck out of internal affairs – America’s philosophy back to the founders.
Our national debt is the single biggest threat to life as we want it. Trump’s record is no better or worse than that of Biden/Harris. Chart of national debt 1790-2023.
Trump’s Christian Nationalism is at loggerheads with traditional American values. Read history, folks. The genius of America’s founders was the separation of church and state. Let people worship without government interference. Let people live free without religious interference. Think about how many laws and proposed laws spring from someone’s religious beliefs – abortion, right-to-die, marijuana, etc.
Conclusion:
Thomas Paine wrote in Common Sense (the country’s first best-seller) “… instead of gazing at each other with suspicious or doubtful curiosity, let each of us hold out to his neighbor the hearty hand of friendship. ... Let the names of Whig and Tory be extinct; and let none other be heard among us, than those of a good citizen; an open and resolute friend; and a virtuous supporter of the rights of mankind and of the free and independent states of America.”
Republicans ready to hold out the hearty hand of friendship to those who may differ in national origin, religious persuasion or financial standing will find it easier to vote Harris-Walz than Trump-Vance. Sandra Clark is.
This is a personal statement that in no way represents the views of Knox TN Today or other writers. It’s not even intended to change anyone’s mind. Y’all know who you’re for. Godspeed.