Lately, I have been listening to Republicans.

Larry Kudlow, President Trump’s former National Economic Advisor, recently praised Bidenomics citing GDP growth, lowest unemployment in 15 years, real wages out matching inflation, inflation heading downward, interest rates about to decline, infrastructure projects, CHIPS & Science Act to bring computer chip making back home, consumer confidence rising, and record stock market prices. Kudlow said “I’d be bragging about Bidenomics too.”

Also, Republican U.S. senators reacted to Trump’s order to kill the bipartisan Foreign Aid-Border Security Bill.Trump said he wants to keep the Border/immigration issue as a major campaign topic and he never was keen on Ukraine aid.

The bill was a compromise; Democrats accepted the GOP border proposal and foreign aid would be forthcoming. Comments from Republican Senators Tillis, Romney, Ernst, Capito, Lankford, Cornyn, and Braun were, “Don’t kill the Bill until you have seen it”; “it’s fantasy to think the Bill would deny Trump this as a campaign issue”; “the Bill is worth doing”; “the Bill is the best we can expect”; “to stop the Bill to keep immigration as a campaign issue is appalling and immoral.”

Fox talkers quickly got on “message” saying the bill was weak, though it was what they had been advocating for months. Nothing illegal but flagrant partisan politics most definitely.

I listened to Republicans during the televised Congressional Jan. 6 Insurrection Select Committee Hearings when they exclusively outlined events, including Trump’s role, leaning up to, during, and after the Insurrection. Democrats did not testify. The courts will soon examine the evidence, which appears to be overwhelming.

I have heard over 30 former Trump Cabinet members and Advisors say “Trump is unfit for office.” One former cabinet member said Trump was not only “unfit” but that Trump was a particular kind of moron. No law against being a moron.

I listen to former Republicans on MSNBC lamenting the movement of their old GOP to the extreme right and chasing extreme domestic and extreme international policies. They see personal ambition being placed ahead of judgment.

They see the quest for control versus policy as troublesome. They express disgust over the lack of shame and rise of hypocrisy. They cringe at the lack of political courage. They despise their party’s movement toward autocracy and away from our democracy. Some Trump aides have pleaded guilty. Others have been sent to prison. Many await their day in court.

I heard Trump brag that he, alone, was able to kill Roe v. Wade;“a great victory,” he said. We have previously heard Trump say he could “grab women” because he was a celebrity. How women support such comments and a person is beyond rational thinking and feelings. The juries hearing the E. Jean Carroll trial evidence thought not with a guilty verdict and a hefty penalty.

We have heard Trump insult, degrade and mock minorities of all kinds yet I have not heard Trump Republicans call him out or defend the disadvantaged, non heterosexuals, non whites, etc. All legal but pathetic.

Trump’s Chief of Staff, General John Kelly, said Trump is the “most flawed person” he has ever known. Kelly also said Trump referred to the Americans killed in the Wars as “losers” and “suckers.” Trump said McCain was no hero for getting captured when his plane was shot down with no mention of POW McCain’s refusal to accept an early release unless his men were released too. I don’t think General Eisenhower had such thoughts when he ordered the D Day Invasion nor did my relatives who served in the military. In fact, I am sure my Uncle, if he were alive, (and his VFW/Am Legion buddies) would like to have a “talk” with “draft dodger” Trump out behind the barn.

Trump’s Republican Party is not the party of Reagan, McCain, Bush, Glenn, Eisenhower, Clinger, Scranton, nor Kasich – persons of character whose word was their bond. It is not the GOP of our parents and grandparents.

Trump is in court a lot these days and invariably his out of court comments do not match the sworn evidence in court but his comments are typical Trump — self serving, untrue, and anger filled threats of revenge.

Likewise, I listen to my Republican friends and neighbors’ agitated political and social beliefs reflective of the influencing media sources favorable to Trump GOP anger and distrust.

Meanwhile 35% of Republican Nikki Halley voters, in their New Hampshire primary exit survey, said there is no way they would vote for Trump again and the Democratic Party has moved more into the vacated political center.

Trump’s Party is a party of, by, and for losers so saith traditional Republicans.

Heaven help us … Make American Normal Again.

Don Scott is a North Warren resident.