The GOP Under Trump: Deviation from Core Republican Ideals

The Republican Party has a rich history, rooted in principles such as fiscal responsibility, individual freedom, and opposition to slavery. However, under the Trump administration and its allies, particularly Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, these principles have been severely compromised.

Pretense of Republican Principles Vanished

Since the takeover of the GOP by Mitch McConnell, all pretenses of adherence to Republican principles have been abandoned. In their place, what remains is a barebones, ruthlessly self-serving strategy. This approach involves clinging to power through any available means, including the support and defense of a controversial figure who, by many accounts, has low standards for human leadership. The goal now is self-preservation, and this strategy will lead to a grim end for the true conservative movement.

Survival Over Ideals

The Republican Party, once a bastion of integrity and principle, now stands at the brink of self-destruction. The emphasis is no longer on core Republican ideals, such as repelling the spread of slavery, individual freedom, and fiscal responsibility, but solely on maintaining power and staying in office. This pursuit of power has come at the cost of the very ideals that Republicans were founded to uphold. As one disillusioned ex-Republican put it, 'Benedict Arnold levels of betrayal' now describe the current GOP leadership. The situation is desperate, unethical, and sad.

The Tragic Transformation

A significant part of the Republican Party’s roots lies in the fight against the expansion of slavery into the new territories. Today, the party must deal with a different form of slavery, namely illegal labor. While Trump has been vocal in his opposition to this form of exploitation, some within the GOP ‘Swamp’ have come to depend on illegal labor to maintain their political and economic positions. Trump's advocacy for closing the border to illegal labor can be seen as a modern approach to combating slavery, aligning with Republican ideals of individual freedom.

Key Republican Ideals

When discussing Republican ideals, one cannot overlook the importance of opposition to slavery, in its various forms. Welfare can also be seen as a modern form of slavery, where individuals become dependent on government assistance, fostering a form of addiction similar to that of traditional slavery. Therefore, individual freedom and opposition to all forms of slavery should stand at the forefront of Republican ideals, rather than merely tax cuts and reduced government.

Conclusion

The current Republican administration under Donald Trump and its allies have clearly strayed from the core principles that the party was built upon. The focus on self-preservation over the welfare of the nation poses a significant threat to the very foundation of the Republican Party. If left unchecked, this trend may lead to the decline not only of the party's influence but also of the democratic principles it once championed. The way forward is clear: Republicans must return to their roots and recommit to the ideals that have historically guided them.