Okay, just to prove I can be serious. I agree, there are a whole ton of things Republicans in office should be doing that they aren’t doing. But I’m sticking with the party because of what they don’t do, like:
Indict their opponents in a way timed to spoil an election.
Take illegal actions (especially presidential decrees) and do as much of the illegal stuff as possible while challenges are working their way through the courts.
Lie and brag about it. (“It worked, didn’t it?” — Harry Reid)
Systematically steal elections by unlimited ballot mailings, harvesting ballots, curing ballots, etc. (read Mollie Hemingway’s excellent book Rigged).
Denounce their opponents for things they are doing themselves.
Install corrupt officials in offices that no one notices, from school boards to attorneys general. Thus you get situations like the next governor of Arizona certifying her own election.
Show their contempt for anyone who disagrees (“deplorables,” “ultra MAGA,” other childish name-calling)
Cheat. When was the last time you remember a recount, a bureaucratic error, or a news story that had to be retracted that benefited a Republican?
Get positive coverage from the mainstream media. As Jim Treacher says, when a Republican screws up, that’s the story; when a Democrat screws up, the Republican response is the story.
On and on and on … and it is always the Democrats that benefit from whatever snafu happens. Always! Even if you don’t have a dog in the hunt, it has to make you wonder. Which side has some principles, however imperfectly they stick to them?
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I do think these factors are important! Although I have many criticisms for Republicans, I still appreciate that they don’t slum the way the Democrats do. It’s not enough; but for me, it counts for a lot! Thanks, Doug.
The problem with the GOP is that they don’t do anything to stop these activities by the Dems. Not to mention ignoring the desires of the people that elected them.Â
Oh, I agree absolutely. I am disgusted at their spinelessness. My point is, there are two sides: one is a bunch of imperfect humans who are at least trying to do right, and the other acquires power by any means necessary, then does as they please and shows their contempt for the rest of us.
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I don’t think this is necessarily corrupt. Brian Kemp was the SoS in Georgia when he ran for governor and won. Was this corrupt? Stacey Abrams seems to think so, but after 4 years has still offered no actual proof of corruption. Just the argument that it appears corrupt.
Spot on.
I’ve heard calls for us cheat like the Democrats do. That’s deep stupid. If we can only win by being like Democrats, then all is lost and they’ve won.
Forget the strawman response that pretends this objection is about morality – it’s tactical (, stupid.) We aren’t equipped to cheat like the left. If we let our enemy set the terms, we’ve lost.