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January 12, 2018 10:32 am
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Republican Party Has Lost Its Soul

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avatar by Alon Ben-Meir

Opinion

US President Donald Trump, Jan. 4, 2018. Photo: Reuters / Kevin Lamarque.

As the 2018 political campaigns begin, perhaps we should pause and think where this country is headed under the leadership of President Donald Trump, and with the House and Senate in control of the Republican Party — a party that has lost its soul and its way, failing to safeguard America’s national interests.

This is a party that strives to cling to power — which is not itself unusual — but seeks it at all costs, with no scruples and no moral compass. It seems that the Republican establishment will do whatever it takes to support a president who has nothing to offer the country but disgrace.

The Republicans, who are deeply engrossed in partisan politics, have enabled Trump in order to further their own political objectives, while ignoring that they were elected to protect America’s global and national security interests, and the well-being of the American people. The Republican Party will be held responsible for what may well be irreparable damage to America’s global leadership and moral standing.

It appears as though Trump and the Republican leadership are dancing to each other’s tune. Occasionally, some Republican senators, including Bob Corker and Jeff Flake, have criticized Trump for his repeated false statements and his mental instability. Generally, however, the party members revel in the fact that they now have a president who will sign anything that they put on his desk.

Known for their hunger to cut taxes, Republicans in the House and Senate raced to pass major legislation overhauling the tax code with the slimmest majority. They consider the tax bill a major triumph, when in fact it is nothing but a travesty.

The Republicans are bent on dismantling everything former President Barack Obama was able to achieve, particularly the Iran deal. They doggedly worked to repeal Obama’s Affordable Care Act, an effort which, if successful, would have deprived millions of people of health care. They applauded Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accords, to the dismay of the entire international community, and defying all scientific evidence that climate change is in fact already upon us. Beyond that, they rolled back countless environmental protections, effectively dismantling the EPA.

No, this is not what the vast majority of the American people aspire for. Instead they want an America that:

Shares the world’s concerns about climate change and leads other nations by example to combat global warming.

Protects its national security interests and achieves that not by dismissing the genuine national security concerns of other nations, but by working to reduce tensions and build mutual trust.

Does not tolerate the gross violation of human rights by ruthless despots simply because our national interest assumes precedence over such abuses. On the contrary, our national interest is best served when we stand fast in protecting human rights everywhere.

Embraces other cultures, thereby enriching our own, and fosters greater affinity and closer relationships with other nations, including our adversaries, through continuing cultural exchanges.

Projects moral leadership and stands ready to act to avert hunger and disease, especially among children in conflict-ridden countries, by providing aid while assuming a leading role in resolving such conflicts.

Maintains an open-door policy — the tradition of being a nation of immigrants — by welcoming those, regardless of their creed, race or color to our shores; America welcomes those who want to realize the American dream and do their share to contribute to America’s economic, cultural, and scientific riches.

Mitigates conflict with its adversaries and deepens its ties with allies and friends, respects international treaties, and lives up to any commitment made, not only to maintain our credibility but also to make the world a safer and more peaceful place.

Yes, America can be all of that and more, because these values are embedded in our cultural and moral fabric. Only the American people can make America what it is destined to be. Any political party or president that does not lead the country in this direction is not fit to be in power.

Republican members of Congress must now demonstrate where their loyalty lies — to the country, or to a corrupt party establishment and a president who has never been able to articulate any coherent policy, and leaves it to the party leadership to spoon-feed him whatever they deem necessary to serve their  political agenda.

If the Republicans continue on their current path and keep swallowing everything that Trump spits out, come November they will pay the price — and deservedly so — for selling their souls for political gain.

Dr. Alon Ben-Meir is a professor of international relations at the Center for Global Affairs at NYU. He teaches courses on international negotiation and Middle Eastern studies.

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