Today, I am embarrassed by the fact that, as recently as three years ago, I was still a Republican. To be sure, I had long been a heretic from party orthodoxy on some matters, such as abortion and gun control. Hence, I was, in the eyes of some, a RINO—Republican In Name Only—a label I did not quite agree with but adopted in 2013. Throughout Donald Trump’s presidency, I was a robust critic of both the man and his administration. Nevertheless, I continued to value my ties to the Party that had been a political home all my life and was the influence that led me to serve in the Nixon and Ford administrations.
In maintaining my association with the Republican Party during the Trump presidency, I theorized that opposition to Trump might be more effective coming from within his Party. I could not, however, sustain that position beyond November 2020. After Trump was defeated, it quickly became clear that his toxic spirit had not been exorcised from the Republican Party. In fact, his grip on the Party was stronger than ever. So, I became a Democrat and watched as Trump’s defeat morphed into the Big Lie that would carry along tens of millions of willfully delusional supporters who would claim that he had been reelected.
Today, the Republican Party has been warped beyond all recognition, at least in my eyes and the eyes of many others. It has somehow been transformed into a cult organized around the single, bizarre figure of Donald Trump. It is astonishing and depressing that the several indictments of Donald Trump, and the looming certainty of trials to follow, have not lessened his grip on the Republican Party. Nearly all of the Republicans who are announced candidates are attempting the delicate minuet of defining themselves as different from Trump but doing so without offending his base of deplorables. These wannabes appear to have no hope of gaining any real traction unless Trump is not only convicted but incarcerated. Thoughts of such incarceration are unavoidable and, once they appear, are hard to dismiss from one’s imagination.
Even if Trump is incarcerated, and not reelected, he would not necessarily lose the Secret Service protection afforded to former presidents; indeed, he might need it more than ever. Would the Secret Service take up a position in an adjoining cell?
For some time, I have had in mind a cartoon that, unfortunately I do not have the capacity to render. It would depict two adjacent jail cells, one occupied by The Former Guy, readily identifiable by his distinctive thatch. The other cell would have a sign “United States Secret Service,” and inside show two men in business suits, perhaps seated at desks. It would bear the caption, “This is not what I had in mind when I joined the Secret Service.”
Readers who have a bit of artistic talent are invited to submit their own versions. The entries will be published and readers will be asked to select the winner. All entrants will receive a RINOcracy.com ballpoint pen, and the winner will be awarded a suitable grand prize.
Doug: I’m no artist so can’t help with the drawing as you imagine it but am reminded that a few short years ago Donald the Duck’s mantra was, “Lock ‘er up!”
Quite frankly the GOP has to shoulder much of the blame for the divisiveness and disaffection in the electorate. The economic disparity between ‘us’ in the top quintile of the economic ladder, which I’m assuming includes most of your readers, and the other 80% I believe can be placed squarely at the feet of changes in the tax structure which favors you and me. I think the absurd faith in the ‘trickle down theory’ promulgated since Reagan administration, giving corporations and the well-to-do additional tax benefits, will reap benefit to the middle class and help in balancing the federal budget has certainly not part of the truth. Didn’t work in the ‘60’s, doesn’t work now.
As to our elected representatives in the statehouses and in Washington, becoming more like their orange-haired narcissist leader and less interested in the public duties they swore to up hold—less about civic duty, vision and ethics, more about getting me back in office and a bigger corner one at that.
Having just traveled through Wales and now here in a posh hotel in London I’m reminded of the line from Robert Bolt’s play about Thomas More, A Man for All Seasons, when he is betrayed by his pupil with a newly minted oath of office around his neck, “It profits a man nothing to give his soul for the whole world. But for Wales?”
Great idea for a cartoon! I can see it now in The Week magazine – they pull from some of the best publications for news commentary on both sides of the aisle. Whoever submits this humorous art piece to Doug, please include your permission for him to submit to a larger audience via The New Yorker, The Atlantic or wherever cartoons are best appreciated!
You mean you have RINOcracy pens!?
How about a tee shirt with a photo of a fired-up Doug Parker (maybe a mug shot). I’d pay big bucks for that
Glad to see that you still have a good sence of humour.
I remember asking you, Doug, during the 2016 Trump campaign, when it was apparent that the Republican Party was no longer consistent with your political principles, why you didn’t leave it. You replied “Because I’ve always been a Republican” and I could hear the anguish in your heart realizing that the Grand Old Party had abandoned its noble principles.you held so dear. So many of us have been on the journey you’ve taken.
This cult of personality around The Orange One is truly baffling to me yet seems to reflect a recurrent theme in world history. We are coming so dangerously close to losing our great American experiment in Democracy. We can hope your wonderful photo collage comes true in the next months.
I look forward to the artistic renderings of your hilarious carcereal situation!
Doug,
I think your brilliant daughter Heather cd probably render a more clever/masterful cartoon than most (if not all) of us. But I guess you can’t award her the grand prize, lest she be dismissed as a “Nepobaby” (answer in a recent NYT crossword).
Meanwhile, your pens are the BEST…alas, I can’t draw, or I’d submit an entry just to get another one.
Best,
Monica ox
While I switched parties a number of years ago, sometime during The George W administration, I still refer to myself as a “Recovering Republican”. I think Trump has been very effective in eliminating the fear of relapse.
I look forward to seeing the cartoons. Even more, I look forward to the grim reality of seeing the former guy finally facing justice.
I have great respect, Doug, for your choice to remain in the GOP until 2020, to be a Republican desiring to be a factor in returning the party to the one that you had believed in all your life. It’s tragic to me that that transition is still nowhere in sight! As one whose been a Democrat most of my life, at times I imagine I’ve been a Democrat in Name Only, disagreeing strongly with some of the their policy choices and the direction I saw them taking our nation. Now I see no choice but to remain a Democrat, even if in Name Only! Sorry I lack artistic talent for the contest, hope some creative minds are working on it.
Dear Mr. Hessell,
I’m writing only to express my solidarity as a fellow “DINO,” and as someone who lacks artistic ability. Alas.
Monica MacAdams
Good to hear from you, Doug. Long time absent from my in-box.
I continually ask myself why Donald the Duck (Thanks, Chris Christy) isn’t under house arrest in Trump tower, where he could be easily and effectively isolated from the rest of us and his venom contained.
As for Secret Service protection. Why? And how guard against SS agent MAGA sympathizers? Trump has tainted them as much as he has the GOP.
“Shall we give Trump back that Bible he pilfered from Motel 6?”
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