By BILL WATANABE
Are you a reasonable and rational Republican? Do you believe truth should be based as much as possible on evidence and empirical science? Did you vote for Ronald Reagan and the George Bushes? Maybe you voted for candidate Trump in 2016?
The Republican nominating convention recently ended and the Republican Party has chosen Donald Trump to be their presidential candidate for the third time.
You probably supported candidates like Reagan and Bush because they stood for things like:
• Law and order and putting criminals behind bars
• Smaller government and reducing the federal budget and deficits
• Fighting communist and socialist dictatorships and advocating for democracy around the world
• Supporting family values and the sanctity of life and marriage
In 2024 – are you really thinking of voting for a presidential candidate who (is):
• A convicted felon for multiple counts of fraud
• A convicted rapist who owes $90 million in damages
• Bragged on video about unwelcomed groping of women
• Cheated on all three of his wives
• Cozies up to authoritarian dictators around the world
• Tried to foment rebellion on Jan. 6, 2021 to overturn the legitimate election process and promote the Big Lie that the election was “stolen”
If you believe yourself to be a rational and reasonable Republican, then please take stock of what has happened to the “Grand Old Party” and the divisive direction their vision for the future of America is taking. Is this really the political party that will make (or keep) America great? Is this the best candidate the Republican Party can choose to represent their values?
Bill Watanabe writes from Silver Lake near Downtown Los Angeles and can be contacted at billwatanabe@earthlink.net. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of The Rafu Shimpo.
I was a Rational Republican. Donald Trump has absolutely ruined the Republican Party. I am now a declared independent voter in Arizona. I cannot support a candidate that has labeled KIA military veterans as “losers”.