At Least We Now Know what the Abbreviation “RNC” Means

In Case You Had Any Doubts, This Week Should Have Cleared Them Up

 

How the Republican National Committee Spent Its Time and Energy Last Week

This was NOT what I planned to write about today. But what has transpired is too ugly, too unacceptable to let pass.

The American nation has a full platter of challenges, risks, and opportunities before it, as we will discuss shortly. In the midst of such times, the Republican National Committee (RNC) decided the most important thing they had to do was to condemn two members of their conference.

These two members of the House of Representatives had the audacity to see the January 6 attack on the capital for what it was – an attempted overthrow of an election, led by those who wished to stage a coup, and to seek out making this right. How dare they. The RNC took them to task for investigating citizens exercising their rights to peacefully protest.

This reminds me – it is surely time to expand mandatory drug testing around the country. No one of sound mind or functioning conscience could possibly believe what the RNC has wrought.

Think it could not get worse than this? Wait, there is more.

To put the icing on the cake, the Republican “leadership” announced at about the same time that they had hired a chief strategist for the upcoming midterms. Who did they choose? Why, Newt Gingrich, of course. That’s right: the same guy who lost them the House majority last time out.

The same guy who virtually invented the model of constant warfare, of the opposition being only seen as unpatriotic enemies. Mr. Burn Down the House and Make Governance by Compromise Impossible is back in business, thanks to the RNC. Amazing. The new terrible age is now joined with the worst of the last round of such harmful nonsense

This Was In Lieu of What Other Possible Actions?

All this, I remind you, from an organization that has not even produced a party platform in over half a decade. Their only “platform” has been whatever Donald decided he wanted today, usually after watching Fox for a while. Nothing as to what they stand for or how they would govern

This is an organization that has no legislative agenda whatsoever. No plans, no programs, no agenda, no budgets, no priorities. Only a commitment to oppose anything proposed by Biden or Democratic legislators because – well, because they proposed it. There have been only a few pitiful exceptions to this lazy, blind opposition.

Reactions from “Republican Moderates”

I put the term moderates in quotation marks because it no longer reads true at any meaningful level. There have been a couple of tweets and statements from within the party objecting to this censorship. No real meat on those bones and even at that, one could count the number of objections on one hand with fingers left over.

Much, much too little too late. At some point saying you disagree but continuing to stay in that party and continuing to vote with it on the purest form of obstructionism when the country needs more makes you an unindicted coconspirator.

All this rose up over many years, on your watch. You lost control. The malignancy is now the core organism. It does not seem something that can be healed at this point. And yet, you hang on. Shame on you. Your country deserves better – and I think you know it.

 A New Full Name for the RNC

 And so now we know that RNC doesn’t just stand for Republican National Committee. Turns out is also stands for Really Nutso Collaborators.

They have chosen to follow the lead of Donald Trump and his minions. Trump – by any standard the worst president in US history, potentially an indicted criminal, the guy who weakened us overseas and divided us at home. The guy who lost both houses of Congress and the White House. That guy.

This is now deeply the party of the Trumps (let’s not forget the wonderful children in this clan) and such luminaries as Kevin McCarthy, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Josh Hawley, Matt Gaetz, Ron Johnson, and Jim Jordan. Louis Gohmert would be considered one of their intellectuals, maybe along with Madison Cawthorn. Ted Cruz might be one of their more likable personalities perhaps -imagine that. Their future looks like Ron DeSantis, Greg Abbot, and Krisiti Noem.

Read through that list of names and tell me you see a better America in there. Good luck.

I have always had Republican friends and hope to say the same in the future, but for other reasons. Frankly, at this point for someone to tell me they intend to vote Republican causes me to lose all respect, if not a modicum of affection, going forward. One cannot make that choice with a clear conscience and the interest of America coming first.

Do the right thing. Walk away, today. Help start an honest, real party of moderate conservatism. At this point, you are either ready to help or stay a collaborator. For those of you I know, I expect better than this. You are better than this. I hope.

A Quote from the McCarthy Era Comes to Mind

 Probably the most famous line to come from the shameful history that was the McCarthy Army hearings in 1954 from Special Counsel for the Army Joseph N. Welch. The quote is as follows:

“Until this moment, Senator, I think I never really gauged your cruelty or your recklessness…. Little did I dream you could be so reckless and cruel…. You have done enough. Have you no sense of decency sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?”

This was, fortunately, the beginning of the end for the curse of McCarthy on the American nation. One decent man called him out, at last – others followed. In short order, McCarthy as disgraced, censored, and dead from a life of self-abuse, dishonesty, and bullying.

The tut-tuts we hear from would be moderate Republicans about what their party has become are not enough.

Have you people no sense of decency left? Will you ever do the right thing, condemn what a once great party has become, and at last give conservative voters an honorable place to turn?

Apparently not.

Bill Clontz, Founder, Agents of Reason             Bill Clontz

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11 replies to At Least We Now Know what the Abbreviation “RNC” Means

  1. A sad state of affairs which you have rightly described. Wouldn’t it be great if “moderate” Republicans (in Congress and out) would form a New Republican Party and develop a conservative platform that others could support. They need new visionary leadership to do that or the party will destroy itself, if it hasn’t already.

    • I absolutely agree. They need a new party. The old one is too far gone.

  2. I have said it before, and I must repeat it: This needs to go national. It is perfectly expressed. 2024 seems a long time away, but it is tomorrow. With all of the “woe is us”, i somehow believe we will survive 2022….may be wishful thinking.
    Would I have your permission to send this blog to Lawrence or Rachel? Any other? Alan

    • I share your wishful thinking – before 2022 is over, I think some accountability will come due – same for 2024. If not, shame on us as a country – we will get the government and society we deserve.

  3. There are two encouraging components to your essay, Bill. The first is that Newt Gingrich is the “guy who lost them the House majority last time out”. May he repeat his performance in eight months relative to the Senate.

    The second is part of the quote in your close: “One decent man called him out”. I was fascinated and amazed after Trump took office that no one returned to The Emperor’s New Clothes to point out his myriad shortcomings. May we indeed have that young child who, sitting on his father’s shoulders at the Emperor’s parade, says, “Daddy, that man isn’t wearing any clothes!!”.

  4. I so appreciated your post today. Yes, yes, yes. We need to keep calling this out. I am flabbergasted by the stony silence of Republicans–though they have passed far beyond silence now. They are willingly and knowingly complicit in Trump’s indecent behavior. I also am in total alignment with your statement: “Frankly, at this point for someone to tell me they intend to vote Republican causes me to lose all respect, if not a modicum of affection, going forward.” No longer can I respect anyone who intends to vote Republican. There are no more excuses. None.

  5. Bill, you comments are so right on and so well said. Thank you.

  6. i agree. The RNC and Newt Gingrich are a real danger. I do not see any moderate republicans that will stand up to scary RNC and reject the likes of Gingrich

  7. Agree. The RNC and Gingrich are a dangerous combination. All that the Republicans think about are trashing the Democrats. Not sure if they have engaged in any meaningful dialog concerning legislation in years.

  8. Frighteningly true friend. I miss the days when we were all Americans first and could sit at a dinner table together and exchange ideas regardless of party

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