The Republican Party has, without question, abandoned all allegiances to truth, good policy and accountability in favor of absolute allegiance to a president with a big mouth and no ideas. That is why I have left the Party and assert that Donald J. Trump doesn’t deserve a single vote from those true constitutional liberty-lovers with a conscience.

For those who have been attending NMU a while, you may remember me as a loud-and-proud Republican a few years back. I published over two dozen columns in this paper, most of which scathed Democrats for inconsistency and authoritarianism and proclaimed admiration for President Trump. I was the President of the NMU College Republicans in 2018 and even helped organize volunteers for the 2018 primaries. That year, I also wrote a one-year retrospective analysis applauding the President’s accomplishments. 

My allegiance was never to a party; it was to accountability, the constitution and good ideas, all of which seem to be the target of both parties these days, but especially the President.

Coming of age under the Obama administration, I had listened to critics highlight the flagrant abuses of the administration and party in power, which aligned me with the Republican Party. I genuinely believed that when Republicans said they would fix the budget deficit, they would. I believed that when they said they would repeal Obamacare, they would. I believed that when they said they would cut back the federal government’s power and emphasize local government, they would. 

Now, having lived for four years under a Republican administration, I realize the words they spoke were hollow, meant to usher conscientious voters to the polls in their favor. Whether through lack of effort or sincerity, almost none of their promises have been made good. 

Let’s be clear: I used to love President Trump. Now I believe he is a liar, an idiot, and so consumed in ego that he is willing to do anything to remain at the top.

Four years later and our budget deficit soars; it did even before COVID-19. Before the 2016 election, the national debt was approaching $20 trillion. Today it approaches $28 trillion. Government spending is at an all-time high, executive agencies continue abusing power, and Obamacare remains intact. By the way, did somebody say something about a wall?

Everything mentioned above were the cornerstones of the President’s 2016 campaign. I should know; I attended his rallies and even shook his hand. 

President Trump does not deserve a second term. Of course, Joe Biden doesn’t deserve a first one either. I’m not even sure that we would be able to tell the difference between the two administrations. That’s why I will be voting for Jo Jorgensen, the Libertarian candidate and the only candidate that will put my conscience at ease.

I understand my horse isn’t even in the race. That doesn’t mean that I, or you, have to choose between the lesser of two evils. In the end, they’re both evil, so why not let yourself sleep at night and actually vote for the good guy, or in this case, girl, even if they don’t win?

Regardless, polls and election odds don’t change the fact that President Trump is a liar, lacks character, and embodies the authoritarian tyrant that Republicans loudly warned against half a decade ago. Any Trump supporter with a memory spanning more than two years back needs to face reality and their conscience when they go to the polls this November.