Dear Republican Party...I Miss You!

Dear Republican Party...A Letter From A Proud Aisle Crossing Democrat:

Dear Republican Party, I miss you. I believe you died with the passing of John McCain, but more on that later.

I miss the days when there was a healthy debate because both sides had truth in their issues. Whether we agreed with them or not, there was always room for a healthy debate that normally ended with agreeing to disagree. The world didn't end; friends on both sides remained friends.

I missed the days when even though your president didn't get elected into office and you didn't get everything you wanted, you were going to be okay. Life went on. Your rights weren’t violated. You didn't have to worry about programs you needed taken away. Your worship and belief system weren't violated. You were good for either the four or eight years. Even if you didn't like the president and could voice your opinion, it wasn't as serious as today's GOP is making it today.

I miss the days when spreading lies and false information was called mudslinging. Now, mudslinging is a way of life. The term isn't even used anymore. There was only one fake news channel, and now it's grown to the point where viewers and readers don't even know what's the truth and what's fake until it's too late. Journalists like myself work hard to tell you the truth but get countered by folks who only believe the lies.

Republicans, you used to be the party of a strong military and smaller government. You complained you believed Democrats did certain things because you felt it was department overreach. Today, that same government you sought to protect is being taken apart, and only a handful of you seem to care. You and your colleagues have created many of these programs on a bipartisan level with your Democratic colleagues.

Journalists used to give equal sides to both parties, but now, the party with the most mud to sling gets the most air time. One side gets to ask questions based on baseless lies, while the other side gets slammed for asking questions based on the truth or countering the lies. If politicians were caught being immoral, no matter their side, they were handled appropriately. Lately, those improprieties have been ignored and either dismissed as fake news or protected by the "what about the other side" syndrome. Some of us would rather hear comfortable lies than hear sometimes unpleasant truths.

We went from Freedom Of Speech to saying whatever we want unless "you" feel it's inappropriate. We went from Freedom Of Religion to not only worshipping the way "we" tell you, but if you don't follow the office of the president, you're not following God. We went from Freedom Of The Press to true stories being censored because it makes the president look bad. Freedom Of The Press has also turned to whatever narrative "they" want, they will push, whether it's true or not.

I mentioned John McCain earlier because I remember when he and Barack Obama ran against each other for president. During a town hall in which McCain was running, a woman remarked that Obama was "an arab," among other misconceptions. McCain corrected the lady, saying he's a decent family man and a friend with whom they disagree on fundamental issues. Barack Obama also mentioned during the same campaign that John McCain was a friend with whom they differed on the issues. That was the last time I'd seen common decency because we entered a new world after Obama won. This world became one of ultra bigoty, sabotage, and betrayal. The Republican Party wanted to make sure another Barack Obama presidency never happened again.

After Obama's first election, especially after losing the majority in the House and Senate, there was a campaign within the majority of Republicans in Congress to stop and kill any legislation he introduced. The campaign worked because it stopped whatever momentum Obama had and put a stigma in the African-American community that he did nothing for us. In reality, there was plenty he wanted to do and tried to do, but he was stopped by a Congress that didn't like him.

This was the first wave of misinformation in all communities, and that's now normal. It's infiltrated history, especially African-American history. We're now being told what's accurate and what’s not.

Bringing it back to today, we're being told what to believe. We're being told about our history, we're being told who our enemies are, what religion to be a part of, and so much more. We can't be quiet and won't be silent. That's what Jasmine Crockett and AOC are teaching us now. The absolute truth is finally being revealed, and it's going to be up to us to believe it or not. I know there are a few of you Republicans left who are fighting with us. I wish you make yourself more known. We're seeing a lot of regret, and yes, it's going to take a fight to get our democracy back.

I warned of this back in 1992, but no one listened. Now that it's come to fruition, this is a call to action.

Signed,

H.D. Campbell

Author/Editor/Journalist/Blogger/Concerned Voter