I believe that Republicans and Democrats, in theory, really have the best interests of America and Americans at their cores. They just have different opinions on how to best serve, and those opinions can be debated. I also believe the Constitution does a pretty good job of keeping politicians in check, even when they go off the rails.
All of that being said, I do not believe that Trump is really a Republican. He did not identify as one back in the day, but I think when he started forming his plan to become POTUS, he was smart enough to figure out that his path did not include declaring as a Democrat. The only possible way to victory was running as a Republican, and appealing to the fringe. Does anyone really think that DJT is all that religious? Patriotic? Concerned with the rule of law? Really?
I have no problem with voters who voted for Trump in 2016. HRC was the devil, and Trump was an unknown entity. I get it. If you were Republican in 2016, what choice did you have? Then came 2020. I believe that as true Republicans began to express their concern over Trump, the fringe got whipped up, further goaded by DJT's claims, that began before the election, of a huge fraud. The Democrats ran a fairly middle of the road candidate in Biden, and the only path to victory for The Donald was to speak almost exclusively to the militant wing of the GOP...thus January 6th. He also counted on a percentage of stubborn conservatives who couldn't bring themselves to pull the lever for anyone else but a Republican candidate. He almost pulled it off.
So, I have. no problem with the GOP (I know...huge sigh of relief). But, there is a difference between the GOP and the party of Trump, and I also believe that the Republican party will suffer as long as they don't scrape off Trump. I have said a few times that I have voted for my fair share of candidates with the "R" next to their names. This election cycle (and next, probably), I felt the need to vote straight ticket for the first time ever, just to make a statement that Trump can't happen again. I fully understand that some of our conservative brethren on here feel the same way about Biden/Harris. I'm just expressing my motivations.
To recap: GOP and Dems are America and Americans. Trump was for himself, thus not really a Republican. He lost in 2020. The GOP needs to scrape off Trump to fully recover. For the good of the country, I hope they do it soon.
On my way to Florida Gulf coast for the week. Stay safe, everyone.