End-Stage America

We Can Have Republicans Or Democracy, But Not Both

Conservative thought and GOP politics are toxic

The best analogy I have for Republican voters is a flock of small birds in the evening sky. They move in perfect synchronization, but suddenly begin to swirl unpredictably. Individuals and small groups break off. Then as if of one mind, the whole mass re-forms and continues on.

Today I found an article in the Washington Post titled The Ohio Republican Party is in absolute chaos. It’s absurd. Who could still believe the GOP is even capable of chaos? To have intra-party disagreements there have to be principles to disagree on.

Anyone who’s still confused about this must have slept through the previous president’s term. After following the GOP for 40 years, I’ve seen all the branding efforts: the party of faith, family, and fiscal responsibility. The party of ideas and personal responsibility. It was always nonsense, but somehow the political establishment and media blindly accepted it had meaning.

Then in 2016, their primary was hijacked by a godless serial philanderer, tax cheat, and shady businessman. An ignoramus who’s never taken responsibility for anything. His economic platform was a mess and totally at odds with their supposed philosophy.

The flock split apart, flying in all directions. Republicans made wild statements and called him terrible names. There were dark rumblings of GOP civil war, and how supporting him meant they could never look their children in the eyes again.

Then he won the nomination, and all the talk evaporated overnight.

He mouthed cynical platitudes about faith, and the Religious Right announced he’d become a “baby Christian” and God’s chosen candidate. The party leaders kissed the ring and became born-again Trumpists. By the time voting began, his support was nearly unanimous.

Yet again, the party pivoted as one and began flying in a new direction. Most of the stragglers rejoined as if nothing had happened. The GOP was tested, they had a chance to prove something — anything — mattered to them besides winning. And they failed. Again.

From McCarthy and Nixon to Gingrich and Palin. From the Southern Strategy to the Tea Party. After decades of proving that power is the right’s sole objective, Washington insiders and the media are still surprised every time.

Unfortunately, winning isn’t the essence of democracy. Winning is fun and easy, but the system only survives if everyone involved is willing to lose. Conservative thought and Republican strategy have no conscience or shame. They don’t compromise or accept defeat, and those are the two most fundamental rules for participation in a democratic society.

They are venom in our body politic. We can have democracy or the Republican Party. It’s impossible to have both.

So is there chaos in the Ohio GOP? Sure, for the moment. The state party establishment doesn’t want J.D. Vance as their candidate, but The Former Guy endorsed him. Once again there are dark rumblings and recriminations.

And after the primary? “The Ohio GOP supports [insert name]. The Ohio GOP has always supported [insert name]. We must come together to defeat the evil socialist Democrat Party.”

The flock will swirl and eddy, but as always regroup and fly away into the darkening sky as the sun sets on the American experiment.