Leaderless Republicans: Myth of the Republican Cave

Leaderless Republicans - Myth of the Republican Cave is a collection of essays focusing on Republican behavior masterminded by Donald Trump, former President and de facto leader of his party. Everyone can agree, Leadership is an art. The effective leader can accomplish much in appeal and service to the broadest spectrum and interests of the nation’s constituents, particularly in today’s trying times. Therefore, we must agree with Norman Whitfield, “The only safe ship in a storm is leadership.” Yet, in his responsibility for health care, infrastructure, environment, climate, foreign policy, the economy, Donald Trump proved a failure. He was good at golfing, insulting everyone, rather than draining the swamp he bred more alligators; threatening many while he spewed venom on those who disagreed with him only interested in the dollar.

On hand, Senator Cory Booker thought “The real test of leadership has never been who can get people to follow them. We’ve got charismatic leaders who get followed a lot. The real test of leadership is to motivate people to be leaders themselves and to carry the burden.” This Trump never did; concerned only about his own welfare. Malcolm X on the other hand, correctly pointed out, “A wise man can act a fool but a fool cannot act a wise man.” Thus, Donald Trump has been characterized from fool and imbecile to buffoon and grifter. Therefore, Republicans in his train are suspect.

Leaders are intelligent, creative, humble, honest and can motivate followers; yet, strong, resilient, fair and challenging to adversaries not necessarily competitors within one’s nation or political party. Donald Trump is a weak loudmouth possessing none of the above traits, as this has been evident for long. He parrots the venom many cannot express themselves and so he becomes “the chosen one.” Allowed wide latitude of substandard performance, Republicans under Donald Trump’s leadership, or lack thereof, have been callous, uncaring, repressive in their own right even as many of his “Best people” grift, or for example, either support Voter Suppression, racism, tolerate the ills of white supremacy, or remain silent as these maladies spread like wildfire across the nation.

Donald Trump’s “big lie” has molded Republican behavior even as the world and a few Republicans have rejected the falsity for what it is. Those truth tellers who escaped the “Republican Cave” became victims of Donald trump’s vindictiveness while his complacent Republican enablers became silent and more concerned about Trump’s threats against their positions rather than upholding their oath to the ideals of the Constitution and nation. These silent yes men not only deny Trump’s role in the ramifications of the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the Capitol Building, seat of America’s democracy, they downplay its negative significance. Such sycophants seem unconcerned about retribution; unmindful of Dr. Martin Luther King’s insightful reminder, “The arc of the moral universe is long but it bends towards justice;” so, history will not be kind to those who, at this critical time in the nation’s history, pandered to a liar, bigot, poor example for leadership who tramples upon much a vast number of Americans cherish and hold dear. More important, Donald Trump has made a mockery of the heritage and ideals the Office of the Presidency represents and Republican sycophants have allowed this to go unchecked because of fear of losing their jobs. This and more characterize these individuals as nothing but Leaderless Republican followers.

“The facts are clear and ambiguous.” Chairman Bennie Thompson”

“We the people should not let Donald Trump be the finisher!” Elaine Luria

“We cannot abandon the truth and remain a free nation!” Sarah Matthews

“Character is revealed in a crisis, and Mr. Pence passed his Jan. 6 trial,” the Wall Street Journal Editorial stated. “Mr. Trump utterly failed his.”