Opinion: ‘Reasonable Republicans’ should oust the new GOP and vote for Democrats – The Columbus Dispatch

William J. McCormick| Guest Columnist

Over the years, most Republicans have been reasonable people, and I believe most still are. But there have been some major changes within the party.

It seems that, although a majority of Republicans still seem to be reasonable, much of the partys leadership is not. Most of the Grand Old Party'ssenators, representatives and some of the governors keep backing former President Donald Trump even though they must surely know the danger to the party and the country.

They are apparently making their hold on power more important than the country or the party. Former Ohio Gov.John Kasich expressed it well on national television when he said, I didnt leave the party. The party left me.

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Surely these public servants know that it cant be good to support the Big Lie, encourage armed insurrection, weaken environmental regulations, discourage COVID vaccinationsand antagonize other countries.

The list goes on, but there is no need to belabor the point.

It isworth mentioning that some states are working on passing laws forbidding the mandating of masks. They site individual freedom. Its illegal to drive above the speed limit because you might kill someone (certainly limits the victims freedom), but allowing someone to endanger others by not wearing a mask is OK?

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These actions are splitting the GOP into two groups; and may even cause a three party system in the country. This would likely result in Democrats winning about 50% of the vote in the country, leaving the two "Republican"parties to split the other 50%. Is this good, or does it concentrate too much power?

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So, what can reasonable Republicans do?

There appear to be two types of action for reasonable Republicans to protect our democratic system of government. The first would be to show support for reasonable GOP candidates like Kasich and Sen. Mitt Romney of Utahand to vote in the primaries against those who are a threat to the party and the country.

But what if the wrong people still win in some primaries?

Painful as it may be for a Republican, the best course of action would be to vote for the Democrats opposing these people in the general election.

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This may be painful for some, but what is more important,voting against your party or voting for those threatening the party, our democratic system, our environment and international relationships?

For the GOP, its time to throw the rascals out and work on repairing the party. Make the party great again.

William "Bill"McCormick is an 85-year-old retiree with an engineering background who has lived in central Ohio for 63 years.

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Opinion: 'Reasonable Republicans' should oust the new GOP and vote for Democrats - The Columbus Dispatch