VOTER: Time to get it right

I’m part of a diminishing demographic. I’m an “Older White Male.” We have fixed opinions and vote. Unfortunately over the last decade, the majority of my peers have voted wrongly.

We vote as though the GOP was still the Party of Reagan. Reagan was a Traditional Republican. He knew that in order for things to work he had to work with Democrats. In the give and take, neither side got everything they wanted. They (dirty word here) compromised.

The GOP of the early 21st century is so focused on getting everything they want that they won’t even consider working with the minority party. This mindset is found from the courthouses to Washington, D.C., and it is poisonous to democracy.

While Obama was president, the GOP was so determined to not give him any wins they wasted many golden opportunities to make things better for the majority of Americans. They wasted so much time trying to overturn the ACA that nothing real was accomplished.

Now, under Trump, the GOP will do absolutely anything he asks even if it is to the detriment of everything that the GOP has ever held dear. They ignore his many odious characteristics and questionable morality simply because “his base” was so behind him.

Well guess what — Trump’s base is less than 35% of the registered voters. And, it is diminishing daily. The solution is obvious. Register, get factually informed and vote. Vote not R or D but as Americans for the country we love.

GILBERT BEYER

Sandpoint