by 
Lincoln at Gettysburg:
“ . . . that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
Robert Reich quotes Donald Trump, who spoke recently at Gettysburg, suggesting that his incoherence is evidence of dementia.
Not only is Trump confused about the significance of Gettysburg, but the political party he leads, which once celebrated the sentiments enshrined in Lincoln’s Gettysburg address, now advances the ideas of tyrants and dictators.
You can’t revere Lincoln or his words if you:
- Emulate and praise dictators.
- Suppress the vote of people who don’t support you
- Openly subvert free and fair elections
- Seek to game the electoral college system to thwart a loss at the polls.
- Deny freedom to those who don’t look like you, worship like you, or love like you
- Deny women the right to make decisions about their bodies, fertility, and childbearing
- Promise that Americans won’t have to vote anymore once you have “fixed it”
- Promote the idea that your preferred religion is superior to all others, and your faith must be the faith of the entire nation
- Foster self-serving lies that deceive and motivate your followers
- Legislate policies that are inequitable
- Politicize the court system
- Advocate change with false fears, hate, and outrageous deceptions
- Tolerate criminality and immorality to protect your leaders
- Participate in a cult of personality for political and personal gain
- Value loyalty to party above what’s best for the people as a whole
The Republican Party and its leader, Donald Trump, do not represent the values of Lincoln, most Americans, or even most people who identify as Republicans.
The election this fall offers an opportunity for redemption. If you have been going along to get along, this could be your last chance to reclaim dignity and integrity and make the Grand Old Party great again.