Dear Republicans,

Well, you have most definitely created a very tangled web of lies and deceit, haven’t you?

There once was a time when you actually represented those who elected you to office. Now, you use those same people to get into office, then abandon them in order to stay in power and idolize the orange one. Why is this? Why have you forgotten the basic principles of your party for the ideology of a president who is only going to be in office for two more years? Unless, of course, you know something we don’t. And if you do, that is against the Constitution of the United States.

Since you seem to have forgotten, a president is only supposed to serve two terms. No more.

Now that I mention it, you also seem to have forgotten the basis of the Constitution and your own party. Do we need to remind you what your party used to stand for? Well, I’m not one to hold back speaking my mind, so I’ll give you that brief lesson you apparently need.

You were first formed in the 1850s as an anti-slavery political party in an effort to prevent slavery from expanding into the new American territories, which was a very honorable stance to take. You then fought against slavery and were in power during the Reconstruction era. You were even strong proponents of civil rights and protections for freedmen. Did you know that? Apparently not, since you are now fighting against many of the very rights you once stood for over one hundred years ago.

Then your focus shifted to industrial expansion, protecting business interests, and infrastructure development. Which again, you seem to have forgotten, considering how determined you are to block legislation that would help rebuild the aging infrastructure of this country.

Since the 1950s, however, and through the influence of several presidents, your party has shifted toward a far more conservative stance against many of the very policies and ideals you were originally founded on.

These days, you even seem willing to ignore the Constitution itself, which clearly calls for a separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. Those branches were established as checks and balances to ensure one division didn’t gain too much power over another.

Yet now, you openly support increasing executive power, which is odd because by doing that, you are eroding your own power and, well, kinda betraying the original purpose of both your party and the Founding Fathers.

Why is this?

What exactly do you hope to gain by doing this?

By giving him power, the orange one, you take away your own power and that of those who elected you. Might I remind you that every time nations allow this to happen, they move closer to authoritarianism? There are several examples of this throughout the world right now.

Ironically, some of the same countries you criticize for oppressive leadership are examples of what happens when democratic institutions are weakened while power becomes concentrated in one person or ruling party. Yet while claiming to defend freedom abroad, you seem increasingly willing to chip away at it here at home.

As the midterms approach and the likelihood of your party losing power grows, you have decided to redraw political maps in your favor. Yet when Democrats respond by doing the exact same thing, you cry foul, run to the Supreme Court, and claim they can’t do it, even though you can.

I know I shouldn’t have to explain this, but that is the definition of a double standard.

So what exactly is your endgame?

The orange one is only supposed to hold power for two more years, and then he’s gone. What happens to all the extra power you handed that office? If a Democrat takes the White House again, do all of those powers stay? Or do you suddenly decide executive overreach is dangerous because your guy is no longer in charge?

So many questions remain unanswered by what you are presently doing that many Americans can’t help but wonder what becomes of your party, and the people who allowed this to happen, after he leaves office.

Have you even thought that far ahead?

Or are you simply hoping to stay in power at any cost, even if it means redrawing political boundaries and undermining democratic norms to do it?

As many of us sit here watching this slow erosion of democratic institutions happen in real time, we can’t help but wonder why you are allowing it. How much dirt does he have on all of you that you continue following his lead so blindly? What does he know that we don’t?

Just a friendly reminder: dictators, and the people who support them, are rarely remembered favorably by history.

Thank you

Concerned Citizen