Not All is Lost: How We Can Use The Current GOP Implosion
So I mentioned in a recent twitter thread that the GOP was imploding, and I should probably write an essay on that.
And here I am, because to be completely honest, this was a shorter write-up than some other pieces I started. (Who knows, maybe the NFT trend will die before I finish that blog post.) Plus, there’s a lot of folks who say there’s nothing we can do. That we’ll just have to ‘vote’ our way to more Democrats. I say bullshit. Now don’t get me wrong, I want there to be a supermajority of democrats after midterms, but the only way we can get there is if we can do two things.
1. Make change that is noticeable by all income groups regardless of if they have kids or not.
2. Pass voting rights legislation.
Voting rights is in danger now. People are dying of Covid, now. People are being forced on to the streets in the bitter cold now. We need change now.
So we need to get the GOP to break ranks, and do what’s best for their constituents. Fortunately, that’s not entirely impossible. See, back in May 2021, 150 current and former Republicans started the “Call for American Renewal,” a movement to bring the Republican party away from extremism, and back to supporting bipartisanship.
"Enough is enough and we need to offer a commonsense coalition for this country and a more unified alternative vision than what we're seeing from the present GOP, which has now become rotten to its core with its persistent attacks on our democracy," Taylor said on CNN's New Day Wednesday. "So our message is it's time to either reform or repeal the Republican Party."
But what does reforming or repealing the Republican party mean? Afterall, the track record for the past few decades hasn’t exactly been stunning, from Reagan Era trickle down economics to Bush Sr’s war in Afghanistan, only for Bush Jr to go back. Well, in their ‘Call for American Renewal’ announcements, they declared some interesting principles.
From Stand Up America, an Organization run by one of the signers, which works to stop Trump:
Democracy. We support reforms that make our system more accessible, transparent, and competitive, oppose the disenfranchisement of voters, and reject populism and illiberalism, whether of the right or the left.
Founding Ideals. We condemn all forms of bigotry such as racism, religious intolerance, sexism, and persecution based on sexual orientation.
Constitutional Order. We honor the essential separation and balance the Constitution establishes among coequal branches of the federal government and the states.
Rule of Law. No one is above the law, and our criminal justice system must treat everyone equally without discrimination based on race, status or other unrelated factors.
Truth. We oppose the employment of fear-mongering, conspiracism, and falsehoods and instead support evidence-based policymaking and honest discourse.
Ethical Government. The absence of integrity and honor among elected and aspiring leaders is a harbinger for corruption and abuse of power, which threatens our republic.
Pluralism. We reject the notion that America should be characterized by the races, birthplaces, religious affiliations, or partisan identities of its founders or groups of its citizens.
Civic Responsibility. Thriving communities are built by faithfully engaged citizens working to overcome differences with mutual respect and the bonds of civil affection.
Opportunity. We support sensible and limited regulation, ensuring equal opportunity, and affirming the government’s vital role in assisting vulnerable citizens, while encouraging self-reliance and ingenuity without the impediments of cronyism.
Free Speech. We sustain the rights of individuals and private entities to exercise this freedom, even to express unpopular views, and condemn efforts to erode press freedom and public support for its vital role.
Conservation. We accept responsibility to conserve for ourselves and future generations these public assets, and to protect them from both natural and man-made harms.
Common Defense and Welfare. We support policies that further public safety, health, and defense as required for enduring national sovereignty and prosperity.
Leadership. Having thrived in the abundance of a choice land, America must continue to serve as a beacon of liberty in the world, working with its allies to advance key interests abroad and promote freedom by example.
Digging into each principle would be its own post, but most of them are pretty agreeable and far preferable over the current GOP’s level of extremism. (Though I have some questions over the intent of the Pluralism bit.) Now, the links to the original manifesto and Call For American Renewal Website seems to be broken, however that seems to be due to a bit of rebranding.
In October, these Republicans switched to the catchier Reform America Movement, where under Principles you can see the same principles along with signatories. However, now there is more than just a Manifesto. There is intent and purpose.
From a New York Times opinion piece by its cofounder Miles Taylor and Former New Jersey Governor Christine Whitman, “But we [Democrats and Republicans] agree on something more foundational — democracy. We cannot tolerate the continued hijacking of a major U.S. political party by those who seek to tear down our Republic’s guardrails or who are willing to put one man’s interests ahead of the country. We cannot tolerate Republican leaders — in 2022 or in the presidential election in 2024 — refusing to accept the results of elections or undermining the certification of those results should they lose” The intent is to be clear who is trying to divide the Republican party, and support candidates regardless of party, who pose a change at removing the extremists.
In my tweet I mentioned Moderate Republicans should have an interest in voting rights legislation. This is due to the current GOP making moves to keep their base, while eradicating other voices, including those who just aren’t extreme enough. But this can be their undoing. The Reform America Movement has been supporting voting rights legislation, legislation which will give the non-extremists a chance.
The GOP rarely breaks rank. When it does, as we saw when seven senators broke rank in order to cast a vote to convict Trump, there is backlash from party officials. Richard Burr. Bill Cassidy. Susan Collins. Lisa Murkowski. Mitt Romney. Ben Sasse. Pat Toomey. Those are the names of the Senators who broke rank once before. Interestingly, none of them are part of the 150 signatories that originally signed the manifesto.
But what if we got ten GOP Senators to break ranks, vote for voting rights, and maybe even on a few other things like Ossof’s Stock bill, Build Back Better, and pandemic mitigation measures? These items would protect the people, provide infrastructure, create jobs in a changing economy, and prevent corruption. These are things the Republican party should stand for. Let’s push it higher, and get 12 GOP Senators to do this. Let’s get things done.
I’m a democratic socialist. I prefer a government that helps the people and I will keep pushing for things like UBI, Rent Control, and Universal Healthcare. But in order to get there, we need Voting Rights, and for this fucking pandemic to be over. So let’s push not just Biden, and the Democrats there.
Let’s also remind Republican Senators that they can either stand with an Extremist Demagogue, or they can stand with moderate Conservatives. They can either stand with those touting fascism, or the ones arguing for working together. They can either stand for voting rights, or be forever know as the Senators who caused the downfall of America. They have a freedom to choose of course. Just as the people have the freedom to shame those who choose Trump over Democracy.
Olivia Wertheimer is just your typical artist turned activist. This is NOT the advice of a professional, but rather the writings of someone who refuses to lose hope. If you like this type of activism and writing, please consider dropping me a tip at my Ko-Fi! It would be greatly appreciated and help pay for things like art programs, Canva Subscription, and kitty treats!
