I had to write after reading two recent letters, one proclaiming that the Republican Party “has stayed the same for 60 years” and one stating that only candidates aligned with former President Trump can win an election. You see, the party has changed — just from the sentiment expressed that only Trump-backed candidates can win.

I registered as a Republican when I turned 18 and for 35 years felt I lived the ideals. I am a center-right moderate who believes in small, limited government and conservative economics/principals. But I think Trump was the worst president ever in modern history, and so now I guess I’m a “RINO”?

Nothing else matters to be considered a Republican now, only total fealty to Trump. And to those who say “he only did a few offensive tweets” — really? You see nothing else wrong with his behavior and actions? Many people close to him did and tried to warn us.

But the worst is this cult that has sprung up. Our Founding Fathers must be spinning in their graves knowing that half the people in this country treat Trump like he is a god and worship at his altar. I hear and see it every day.

By the way, I changed my party to independent last January, so no worries that I am tainting the Republican Party. And Trump legitimately lost the election.

Karla Thomas

Hempfield

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