Republicans failed their own fundamental political principles

An echo opinion published in the Indiana Star Press newspaper:

Republican party must return to its principles! Restore dignity.

GOP, you should be ashamed of yourselves! Your corrosive agendas and constant villainizing of the “other side” have led us to this horrible chapter in our nation’s history. The terrorist attacks of 9/11, as shocking as they were, pale in comparison to the damage Trump has inflicted on our democracy during his four years.

On Jan. 6, anarchists, encouraged by their fallen idol, invaded and desecrated our U.S. Capitol. Their mission was to intimidate Congress and assassinate Mike Pence and Nancy Peloski.

The House has impeached Trump for a second time. The number should be five. Trump’s first impeachment dealt with his blackmailing of the Ukraine and, of course, Senate Republicans acquitted him, disallowing witnesses or evidence.

Contrary to William Barr’s interpretation, the Mueller report called for further investigation by Congress, a request that the GOP refused. Trump’s efforts to strong arm Georgia officials into committing election fraud should be considered an impeachment offense. The fifth instance is his selfish mishandling of COVID-19, resulting in over 400,000 (update, now 500,000!) deaths and trillions of lost dollars.

GOP politicians have stubbornly enabled this spoiled child for fear of being “primaried” in their next elections. It's past time for the Republican Party to return to their principles and part ways with this would-be dictator. You may lose the radical elements who blindly worship the Trumpian charlatan, but that’s a small price to pay for preserving our democracy and restoring your dignity.

Bill Grobey,  Muncie Indiana