“…all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.” Matthew 26:52
This proverb echoes through my mind as I observe the current state of the Republican Party, especially here in Lexington County, which I once had the honor of serving as Chair. What was a party guided by dignity, integrity and pride, led by gentle people like Verona and Bill Shealy, has, in my view, transformed into something unrecognizable.
I honestly despise this “new” Republican Party. This is not the Party of Reagan. It is no longer the Party of anyone or anything I recognize. What happened?
I distinctly remember a different era when people like Butch Wallace and Congressman Joe Wilson could walk into a room without having to first check the political temperature. I remember the year I was Chair, and we extended an invitation to every presidential candidate to speak at an event right here in Lexington County. Nearly every candidate came, and we allowed people to listen to every voice, not just the one the Chair favored. There was no rioting, no picketing in front of another candidate’s fundraisers or rallies. People had a choice.
It feels as though a group of mad dogs is relentlessly pursuing “rabbits.” This week, the target is Mama Rabbits. Next week, it could be a herd of goats or a flock of tame doves. The specific target is irrelevant; the pursuit of conflict, the relentless need for opposition and ideological dominance, appears to be the driving force.
In this new iteration of the Party, disagreement on even a single issue can lead to excommunication. If you disagree on but one issue, you are dead to them and a target of opportunity. Questioning the prevailing narrative is met with immediate denigration.
If you agree to talk to them and but have conflicting ideas on details, sorry, you’re still an infidel.
The hypocrisy is glaring. This Party censures a Town councilman for endorsing a candidate who is an incumbent Republican. ( The REAL reason for the censure likely has nothing to do with the year-old endorsement, but rather lifestyle bigotry) Yet, the Party can endorse not one, but two candidates against a REPUBLICAN incumbent who has passed more legislation to help families than anyone ever in the state of South Carolina – all because they disagree on a single vote. A solitary issue. (Endorsing candidates in Republican primaries is another deeply unethical action practiced by the Lexington County Republican Party)
The only thing worse than a liar is a liar that’s also a hypocrite! Tennessee Williams
This isn’t politics, it’s despotism. These hypocrites are now reportedly going to censure the very individuals who ran against them for County Party leadership, simply because they dared challenge the Great Leaders of the Central Committee.
For those who know history (and, apparently, too many people in Lexington County do not), this approach to party politics is painfully familiar. It’s as if Kim Jung Un, the Ayatollah, the Politburo or the Reichstag are running the Lexington GOP.
You vill do as you’re told or ve vill destroy you!
The current Lexington County Republican Party does NOT, in practice, mirror or represent the population with which I am familiar and served for many, many years. Whatever may be the Party leadership “values,” I do not recognize any as those of the good people of Lexington and Gilbert and Gaston and Red Bank and Pelion and Irmo and Springdale and West Columbia and Chapin and Batesburg-Leesville and Swansea and Pine Ridge and South Congeree and Cayce and all the wonderful rural neighborhoods, farms and communities.
Something has to change.
But what will that be? That remains the pressing question.
WHILE I BREATHE 