Soap Box

I do not openly endorse or support presidential candidates and don't want this column to be construed as such in any way.

I also do not consider myself to be a Democrat or Republican but an independent voter who votes for the candidate, not the party and have voted for members of both parties in the past.

The purpose for this piece is an observation on the self-imposed, soon coming implosion of the Republican Party. It is strictly my own opinion and is not prompted by any group, person or outside force, but only my firm conviction that a house divided cannot stand.

What I'm referring to is the increasingly sordid battle over the image, intent and political philosophy of the party waged by the entrenched powers that be and the street level voters who will ultimately choose the candidate who will carry the Republican banner in the 2016 election.

First of all I feel that the party hierarchy is completely out of touch with the mood and the will of the common folk and not just those who label themselves republicans but also the democrats and independents, minorities and disenfranchised who fall in the "madder than hell and I ain't gonna take it no more" category.

They have so removed themselves and thereby the official section of the party so far from the base that they even have the nerve to call those who refuse to support the establishment candidates and tend to go for the more �renegadeish� contenders insulting names reminiscent of something Barack Obama said about people who were bitter and �cling to guns or religion�, the bitter clingers.

If you look at the recent history of the two parties, the Democrats, whether we agree with the choices or not, have offered up charismatic, energetic, articulate candidates while the Republicans typically resort to plodding, monotonous men in dark suits, admittedly men of character and vision but coming off against the more dynamic democrat candidates like yesterday's newspaper, nothing new.

Now at last, when the Republican brand has the opportunity to include some candidates who bring a new energy and the potential of new voters to the election, the entrenched elite of the party turn up their noses and instead of taking advantage and building on the excitement generated by this new breed of contenders they continue to beat their dead horses and their out of time drums and push forth trite, colorless also-rans who assure another defeat.

I don't believe that either the Democrats or Republicans realize the depth of the anger, confusion, fear and desire for a change of direction that abounds in fly over country.

Of course the democrats thrive on that kind of emotion and have been successful in the last couple of decades in blaming all of America's problems on the Republicans, a fairly easy feat when the overwhelming majority of the nation's major media outlets are joined at the hip.

But events have reached the point that finger pointing and a lap dog media cannot cover the fact that America is in a downward spiral and if things at the top are not drastically changed it will accelerate until it is completely out of control.

Americans want and desperately need someone who will address today's problems with understandable, pragmatic remedies instead of political platitudes.

So when someone says something practical about building a wall or repealing Obamacare or denying potential terrorists entry into the country until a proper vetting procedure can be perfected, or moving the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem or cutting corporate taxes to attract manufacturing - and trillions of dollars - back to the US, or leveling the playing field with China or doing whatever it takes to destroy our enemies, or protecting Second Amendment rights, the people understand it.

If the Republican elite continues to ignore and belittle the choices of the conservative wing of their party, they will enable their worst nightmare to come true. The establishment of a third party, a party that will represent the very voters they so haughtily disenfranchise.

So, in my humble opinion, the Republican Party is passing up a golden opportunity this election cycle. Instead of capitalizing on the prevalent unrest in the country and attracting new voters, the old guard seems intent on adding to the unrest.

The old boy's club has become so arrogant they feel comfortable insulting their base and some going so far as threatening to vote Democrat if certain candidates get the nomination.

Well, as far as I'm concerned, you guys can take your ball and go home. Maybe it's time for a changing of the guard. You may control the upper echelons of the Republican Party but the United States of America is �of the people, by the people and for the people.�

I think both of major political parties would do well to remember that.

What do you think?

Pray for our troops and the peace of Jerusalem.

God Bless America

� Charlie Daniels

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