Bully: Republicans Today

In my reflective mood as the year 2017 draws to a close, and while searching my pre-existing material for stuff I can use in other projects, I came across the following intended blog written back in 2015, well before Trump became a candidate let alone President and the Republicans in Congress voted themselves and their donors such a lovely Christmas gift. The words still resonate two years later, the only difference being that the Republicans now domonate all three branches of government. So here goes: /Bully/ As an aging hippie, white bleeding heart liberal, I find it hard to understand how any person of color could consider themselves a Republican. Granted, Lincoln was a Republican, but he wouldn’t be in today’s Congress. Granted, Teddy Roosevelt was a Republican, but today’s party would not endorse a progressive conservationist like him. Today’s Republican leadership is the party of oppression, opposition, reaction. They would destroy every social program we have, if they could. They would hold the line on income equality. They would engage in even more wars. They would restrict human rights in the name of a God who preached tolerance and forgiveness. They would see women barefoot and pregnant and men work three jobs at a frozen minimum wage just to reach the poverty line while Corporate America counts their profits. They oppose change. But change always comes. It is better to embrace change, and monitor it if we can, than let it gather steam until it blows up in our faces. And it is better, always, to listen to the teachings of Christ: do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Shackle the rest of us only if you wish in your heart to be shackled – and bully if you don’t.