Real Republicans, please stand up

To the Editor:

Once upon a time, there was a Republican Party. Republicans had ideas, some of which I agreed with, some I didn't — just like the ideas of the Democratic Party. But over the past few years, the Republican Party has ceased to exist. Oh, there are a few real Republicans left, but by-and-large the GOP — especially its leadership — has become the Cult-of-donnie T.

Republicans used to believe in elections, contests of ideas and plans and promises. Now, the cultists want to make it harder for people to vote. They want to make it possible for partisan officials to throw out real votes if an election doesn't go their way.

They used to believe in science and facts. Now, science is a “conspiracy” to the cultists, where horse dewormer is better than thoroughly tested medicine. Why? Because the vaccine was tested by “the government,” and if the government does it, it is inherently bad, right?

Facts? They hire “cyber-ninjas” to count (and count, and count) Arizona ballots to prove a lie and cost their state millions. Obama was a Marxist, Maoist, Muslim Kenyan socialist. Really? Slaves to Virginia in 1619? Only to America-hating liberals.

Republicans would have wanted to get to the truth of the events of Jan. 6, but cultists will do everything they can to impede that or throw up dirt and lies when Democrats must do it alone. Why, one wonders. What are they afraid of? How many times did they investigate Benghazi?

Cultists — and the rest of us, too — want our country to reopen, to get back to “normal.” But the so-called “liberty” that keeps cultists from getting vaccinated is preventing the very thing they say they want. Their selfish, mefirst actions are holding hostage the freedom of all of us.

Please, remaining Republicans, take back your party!

Gary Sipperley

Twain Harte