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If you believe contrary to all credible evidence that the 2020 election was stolen and that the deadly Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol was, as the Republican National Committee described it, “legitimate political discourse,” then feel free to stop reading. This opinion piece is not for you. On the other hand, if you are a Republican leader who believes in the sanctity of American democracy and respects the Constitution, like the patriotic Ronald Reagan, I beseech you. Please do everything in your power to prevent former President Donald Trump from returning to the White House. That means speaking out publicly before it is too late about the clear and present danger this lying authoritarian demagogue poses to our beloved country.

Sure, we Democrats bear responsibility here too. But our votes will only come into play in the November 2024 general election. On the other hand, Republicans have a chance to stop the possibility of another Trump presidency before we reach that point. Currently, he’s the leading Republican presidential candidate by far according to polls. This is due in part because of divided support among multiple candidates — a mistake Republicans made in 2016. Also, let’s face it, Trump has the impregnable loyalty of a solid percentage of the party’s voters who live in a far-right news "bubble" and refuse to accept reality.

I’m a liberal Democrat. Our views on abortion, gun safety, immigration, the environment, tax policy and many other domestic and foreign policy issues are very different. That’s why I’ll vote for Joe Biden in 2024. I fully expect you to want a candidate whose policies differ from Biden’s. I get it. Maybe you’re willing to overlook Trump’s misogyny. In his deposition in the E. Jean Carroll sexual assault and defamation case — she won — Trump stated that stars, “unfortunately or fortunately,” have been sexually assaulting women “for a million years.” Asked if he considered himself a star, Trump replied, “I think you can say that, yeah.” He’s the same sexual predator who, on the infamous “Hollywood Access” tape, spoke about grabbing women in their private parts.

I abhor the idea of this amoral former president returning to the Oval Office. But even more than his atrocious behavior toward women, or the fact that he is criminally indicted in one jurisdiction with probably more indictments to come, or his racism and xenophobia, what gives me the worst nightmare? It’s the fear that this volatile narcissist, who thinks he’s smarter than the generals and does not believe in the fundamentals of American democracy, could once again become commander-in-chief with access to the nuclear codes.

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, the self-proclaimed most independent member of Congress, I’m looking directly at you. You acknowledged Biden’s legitimate election. You know Trump has been lying. You said Jan. 6 was an “attempted coup.” If you don’t think Trump is suited to be in the White House, say so now before it’s too late. Your continued silence only abets Trump’s effort to become the Republican candidate in 2024. In the end, he may be the candidate, but, at least, you would have done the right thing. And history will look kindly on you.

I’m also looking at other Republican leaders in Bucks County as well. You have a voice. Use it. And I’m looking at rank and file Republicans who need to make it clear to public officials, to their friends and relatives, however much they may disagree with President Biden on matters of policy, returning Trump to the White House is a non-starter.

Martin J. Raffel, resident of Langhorne, is on the board of Democratic Jewish Outreach Pennsylvania. This article originally appeared in the Bucks County Courier Times. Reprinted with permission from the author.

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Link: https://newtowndemocrats.org/blog/Democrats-Make-an-Impressive-Showing-in-CRSD-School-Board-Primary-Election-16/

May 9, 2023
Inquirer Endorses the Democratic Slate of School Board Candidates in Central Bucks

Voting for Democrats Tracey Osecki, Ed Tate, Matthew Laskowski, Linda Stone, Kimberly Winnick, and Nikki Khan is the surest way to prevent the stream of "self-inflicted controversy" currently afflicting Central Bucks and Pennridge School Districts from spreading to Council Rock schools.

Our CRSB Candidates, as shown on the Together for Council Rock website.

Today's Philadelphia Inquirer features an endorsement of incumbent Karen Smith and newcomers Heather Reynolds, Dana Foley, Rick Haring, and Susan Gibson, Democrats running to become School Directors for Central Bucks School District.

As the Inquirer Editorial Board observes, the current right-wing board has created "one self-inflicted controversy after another, including efforts to ban books, remove Pride flags, prohibit teachers from calling students by their preferred pronouns without parents’ permission, and order a librarian to remove posters with quotes from Holocaust survivor and author Elie Wiesel."

The Editorial Board also provides ample evidence that the recent report commissioned by the board, in which "no evidence the district created a hostile environment for LGBTQ students" was found, to be, in the words of Marlene Pray, a "$1 million dollar PR stunt."

Here in Council Rock School District, we should be very concerned about what's happening in neighboring Bucks County school districts like Central Bucks and also Pennridge, which is pressing to implement a pro-Christian social studies curriculum and which is also banning LGBTQ-themed books. The big money interests pressing far-right agendas elsewhere in our county won't stop until voters send them a clear message that they've wasted their money and their time here.

To donate and to help our candidates, visit the Together for Council Rock website. Learn about all Democratic candidates on our Candidates webpage, and vote on May 16.