By Robert LittletonORMOND BEACH -- Earlier this month, 16 Republican senators sided with the Democrats to end U.S. Senators Paul, Lee and Cruz’ filibuster of a gun control bill. According to the rules, 60 votes are needed for cloture. They got 68.
Many of these same Republican senators that voted to end the filibuster will most definitely not vote for any gun control bill. So why did these 16 Republican senators go along with the Senate democrats in this situation?
The answer is simple: The "establishment" Republicans want to quash this split in the Republican party. The split is being felt at the local, state and federal levels. This rebellion is being led by Florida's Rubio, Paul, Lee and Cruz, along with others in the House of Representatives, including our own Ron DeSantis.
Younger, more liberty-minded conservatives within the party have concluded that the "old-guard" Republicans and their way of doing things need to go if the GOP is to win another election presidential election.
Obviously, the establishment don’t want to change the big government policies or people that have run the GOP into the ground in the last decade. As a young man, I must admit I feel estranged from the Republican Party. As Rand Paul has felt a push back, so have I.
Obviously, the establishment don’t want to change the big government policies or people that have run the GOP into the ground in the last decade. As a young man, I must admit I feel estranged from the Republican Party. As Rand Paul has felt a push back, so have I.
Various people around the county have spoken to me and voiced opposition to me and my ilk. They claim that we haven’t done enough or it’s not our turn yet. Well, as the past elections have shown us, its their time -- to lose.
These conversations and the overall narrative within the party rubs me the wrong way. Not enough to leave it or at least not yet but maybe enough to stay home next election if they put up another uninspiring candidate that can’t even bring out his own people to vote for him.
In my own circle of family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances, is where I hear the outright disgust and fatigue with the GOP.
Some of their reasons are compelling that I can accept, for example, about civil unions or drugs. Some of their thoughts are off the wall, for instance, about full amnesty or higher taxes.
Either way, their thoughts about the GOP are not good. The conclusion is simple: The past actions of the establishment Republican base clearly and abundantly resonate the split within the party.
Either way, their thoughts about the GOP are not good. The conclusion is simple: The past actions of the establishment Republican base clearly and abundantly resonate the split within the party.
Let us hope, not just for the sake of the GOP, but for the country, that establishment Republicans’ future actions take a different tone.
If not, the United States will have a one-party system and that isn’t good for anyone.