Reopen Republicans

The Capital got it right. (The Capital Sept. 15). The protest outside the Board of Education building on Sept. 8 was clearly a politicization of the COVID-19 pandemic and the decisions local leaders are having to make in order to control the virus’s spread and keep the community safe.

Led by the Republican State Central Committee of Anne Arundel County, the protest’s featured speakers were party leaders; GOP-appointed officials; and current, former and aspiring elected representatives. A stated justification for the event was sorely disingenuous.

“The education achievement gap ought to be first and foremost as to what our leaders are looking at, and they are not right now,” said Dirk Haire, chairman of the Maryland Republican Party.

The achievement gap caused by inequities related to race and income, among other factors, is a serious problem. But when has the local GOP ever before been a frontline champion for equity in education — much less public education?

It’s great if it is now. But during a global pandemic, public health needs to be first and foremost. It’s odd for a political party that professes to be a champion of life to dismiss health and safety realities.

It’s an especially sinister stance since the GOP is dogged about dismantling the Affordable Care Act, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and other protective programs.

The Capital and others with a public platform need to point out that local Republicans have done little or nothing to distance themselves from the divisive, racist, ignorant and intentionally harmful policies and behaviors of Donald Trump and his allies.

Trump and Trumpism is dangerous to democracy and civil society, perhaps treasonously dangerous.

By not speaking out against the extremism that has taken over the national GOP, local Republicans are at best, complicit, and atworst, just as dangerous.

MELISSA GOODMAN Edgewater