During the Watergate scandal a significant number of Republicans placed country over party.

Republican Congressman Larry Hogan as he sat on the House Judiciary Committee on July 23, 1974 declared, “The Constitution and my own oath of office demand that I bear true faith and allegiance to the principles of law and justice to which this nation was founded.” “No one, even the president is above the law.”

Profound words. However today, the Republican Party has become an “insurgent outlier” prioritizing party control over democracy. Ideologically extreme. The party has changed in dramatic ways. They have even reframed Christianity to suit their political objectives.

“The Powell Memo” written in the 70s, is the “father of modern day American plutocracy.” Citizens United Supreme Court win made major changes to campaign finance laws and created Super Pacs and Dark money.

Today, Billionaires, and corporate money threaten U.S. democracy because they have excessive unconscionable influence on U.S. government policy over the majority. Instead of having more prosperity, we have the greatest wealth income inequality in the world. 7 (combined) U.S. health insurance companies made $7.3 billion in 2024.

Corporate corruption in the U.S. has been significant with billions in fines and settlements. The most common offenses are safety related because the cost of safety is way too high. Many operate for years ignoring safety protocols. And, as expected, Republican led states implement stricter worker compensation laws limiting benefits.

“Project 2025” is alive and well and has made clear Republicans are at war with democracy and the American people.

They have already stripped American women of bodily autonomy and now want to strip women of voting rights with a new demand for specific documents, which would make is easy to purge females from voter rolls. The SAVE Act currently failed, but word is Republicans will continue to pursue it again later this year.

Republicans want to restrict mail-in ballots, limit early voting, and decrease polling places.

Their relentless phony voter fraud campaign is pathetic.

Debra Becker

Chestnuthill Township