What’s wrong with Republicans, from both sides | Letters to the editor: Jan. 1, 2023

MAGA’s midlife crisis

America has the world’s strongest economy ever, yet it has plenty of problems, too: Russian aggression, Chinese ambitions, inflation, homelessness, surging political and racial violence to name a few. The MAGA movement neither solves any material problems, nor strengthens the economy. It has elements of a midlife crisis: unfulfilled dreams of youth slipping away, sparking a “need” for a divorce.

The difference between real Republicans and MAGA Republicans is one focuses on high taxes and big government while the other covets one-party rule. MAGA has sullied the prestige of the GOP with venomous racism, the Capitol attack, and calling for the termination of the Constitution.

Real Republicans -- the silent majority at first, quietly hoping independents and Democrats would fix MAGA so they could go back to the way things were -- have waited too long. Now real Republicans are in the minority and fear retaliation if they speak up. They’re in no-man’s land, facing either silent complicity or the shame that burying their heads in the sand let it get this bad.

MAGA is a GOP problem. The GOP should fix it. Maybe MAGA would calm down if they bought them all red sports cars.

J. Jason Gale, Riverbank

Stop selling out, GOP

What is wrong with these handful of Republicans who voted for Joe Biden’s proposal? These Republicans have to have a fiduciary responsibility to their party. Let’s not blame the Democrats but blame ourselves for supporting the Democrats’ agenda. It’s very shameful. I don’t know what they are benefiting from doing so. We demand an answer and an explanation for their stand with Joe Biden’s agenda.

Shimon Khamo, Modesto

Bad moon rising...

The Taliban government has suspended university education for all female students in Afghanistan. The Idaho Republican State Central Committee will consider adopting a rule in January that would strip the Idaho Republican Women’s Federation of voting rights on the party’s state executive board. Small steps into cold waters.

Ed Bearden, Modesto

... and gaining momentum

While I am not a religious person I am able to recognize an unholy alliance when I see one! This alliance has been planned and developed over the past 50 years or more.

We now have the marriage of the Christian church with the U.S. Supreme Court plus the judiciary with the Republican party and Putin of Russia.

Ken Garst, Turlock