GOP: Farewell, lost party

Throughout my adult life, I have tried to do my civic duty by voting in all general elections. I have always voted the straight Republican ticket because they were the ones who best represented my own personal philosophy. But now, my political affiliation must change.

Donald Trump and those Republican representatives who support him have done everything in their power to overthrow the results of the last election and to make the general public lose confidence in the whole electoral process. By their actions, they have done a great deal of damage to one of the most cherished and important aspects of our democracy: The right to vote and to have the ballot box determine the outcome of the election.

I am personally offended by these politicians who have put their own selfish interests above the best interests of our republic. I am disgusted - and ashamed - of the whole Republican Party.

In the future, I will never vote the straight ticket again. Instead I will vote as an independent or as a non-affiliated voter. I am not a Republican anymore.

UNUS VOCATE

Coeur d’Alene

Editor’s note: Unus Vocate (One Voice) is, indeed, the writer’s legal name. We checked his driver’s license years ago.