The Craziness of the Republican Party

Just when you think it can’t get any more weird or crazy, it does. Then the Donald strikes again:

Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump called Monday for a “total and complete” ban on Muslims entering the United States, barring followers of the world’s fastest-growing religion because he considers the faith rooted in hatred and violence.

But at a rally Monday night in South Carolina, Trump received a boisterous standing ovation as he shared the idea, telling the crowd that a ban is “common sense” and that his Muslim friends agree with him.

“We have no choice,” he said to cheers. “We have no choice. We have no choice.”

Wow. Let me say that again wow. About as un-American as you can possibly get. The reaction was swift from everyone. Even Dick Cheney thought it was too much:

“I think this whole notion that somehow we can just say no more Muslims, just ban a whole religion, goes against everything we stand for and believe in,” Cheney told Hugh Hewitt on Hewitt’s conservative radio show Monday. “I mean, religious freedom has been a very important part of our history and where we came from.

From Paul Ryan:

“When we voted to pause the refugee program a few weeks ago, I made very clear at the time: there would not be a religious test. There would be a security test. And that is because freedom of religion is a fundamental Constitutional principle. It’s a founding principle of this country.

“Normally I do not comment on what’s going on in the presidential election. I will take an exception today. This is not conservatism. What was proposed yesterday is not what this party stands for, and more importantly, is not what this country stands for.

Most of the Republicans running for president said this was wrong and not the American way. Although some like Ted Cruz were as muted as possible in their criticism. The reason they don’t want to piss off Trump voters because Cruz wants them to support him once Trump is through (that is if that ever happens).

A couple of thoughts come to mind. First is the media should go after Trump on just how this plan of his is going to work. From the first reports, it sounds you ask someone if they are a Muslin when they enter the country. And if they say no you let them go. Wow isn’t that an effective way to keep Muslims out of the country. I’m sure everyone would be honest while answering that question. This to me seems a more effective way to go after this incredibly stupid bigoted policy (oh did I just make a judgment on this) then challenging it on any other grounds. This won’t make any difference to Trump supporters because their candidate can do no wrong. But it will work with other people.

There is one thing I find amusing about this whole thing well actually there’s more than one but this sticks out to me. And it’s Paul Ryan’s statement This is not conservatism. What was proposed yesterday is not what this party stands for. So sorry to burst your bubble Mr. Speaker but this exactly what conservatism and the Republican Party now stands for.

One has to look no further then who is ahead in the polls for the Republican presidential nomination. Just take a look at the other candidates rhetoric on immigration and Muslims (Bush called for a religious test in admitting Syrian refugees yes to Christians, no to Muslims) and just about every other issue like saying rounding up all those illegal immigrants. The stances are to be kind extreme. Trump has pulled the party farther and farther to the right. And there has been little if any push back until now. But the move right continues even after this comment. Wake up Mr. Ryan and smell the coffee of the new Republican Party. This is exactly what it now stands for.