Republican Party is heading in the wrong direction

In a 2017 interview, distinguished academic Noam Chomsky called the Republican Party the most “dangerous organization in human history”. This was notably evident on Jan. 6 when Donald Trump incited right-wing insurgents to lay deadly siege and desecrate the nation’s Capitol in an attempt to overturn the Presidential election.

Americans were forewarned of how dangerous and unfit Trump was for office when first elected. Yet, over 74 million voted for him to have a second chance at destroying the country. Is there any regret among those who voted for this demagogue? Is there any shame for wanting this flawed man elected again? There should be no question, however, that Trump is not only guilty of inciting this insurrection but must face the consequences of his crime and be justly punished.

As Mr. Trump’s latest version of his “American Carnage” unfolds, many Republicans still haven’t condemned the attempted coup, still believe Mr. Trump’s “big lie” that the election was stolen, and deny his involvement in the insurrection. Many still cheer him, proof that shame has no bounds especially among its “sedition wing.”

Sadly, the Party of Lincoln has morphed into crazy conspiracy theorists and voter suppressionists, willing to nullify millions of legally cast votes so that a pathological liar could stay in power. Americans must recognize just how dangerous this party has become, a party dominated by Donald Trump, domestic terrorists, and society’s fringe elements. The party may well be headed in a direction of no return; and if so, many of us, like Mr. Chomsky, will have few regrets.

RON SLABE Oakmont