I AM NOT ANYONE IMPORTANT BUT THIS IS WHY I HAVE LEFT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

Last month as millions of my fellow Republicans have and will do, I decided to leave the Republican Party.  The easy explanation would have been because of Donald Trump, but he isn’t the reason at all.  Although I believe Mr. Trump does not possess the characteristics of Morality, Integrity, Compassion and Tolerance I require in my candidate, the reason I have left the party is my total disgust in the actions of our current Republican leadership.

Over the last 8 years I have watched our party become stronger and stronger through reaching out to minorities and developing a diversified bench of young leaders who could safely lead us through the 21^st Century, creating a society that I felt confident would benefit my children, grandchildren and the populations of the United States and the World.  A group of young leaders that put my mind at ease that my generation was passing our responsibilities to the best the next generation has to offer.  Unfortunately somewhere along the way we allowed the future of the Republican Party to be placed in the hands of cowards.  Their actions of not speaking out against the worst candidate any party has ever offered for the Presidency have not only brought the Republican Party to the precipice but have also endangered our country and the stability of the world.  What is worst is trying to understand their reasoning for doing this.  It’s certainly not because they support Mr. Trump?  Is it because they don’t want to offend the millions of “new Republicans” who suddenly registered to support Mr. Trump?  Is it because they want the support of the millions of “would be” voters who didn’t know they were angry or being screwed until Mr. Trump told them that?  Can’t another Republican bring out these voters without inciting them by using disgusting rhetoric and encouraging violence?

I have left the Republican Party. Not because of Donald Trump, but because the leadership of my Party appears weak and unprincipled.  I have left the Republican Party because the leadership of my Party supports a man in public, even though they do not support him in private, who does not have the character traits of Morality, Integrity, Compassion and Tolerance that I demand in the President of the United States.  I have left the Republican Party because after years of loyalty and support the LEADERSHIP OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS CHOSEN NOT TO BE LOYAL AND SUPPORTIVE OF ME.

Mr. Ryan, Mr. McConnell and Mr. Priebus there is still time.  The Presidency is probably lost but you can still save the Party.  If you stand up and speak out you may still get me, and millions more like me, back into the Party fold.  But, if you lack the courage, all is lost and we will all have to share the shame.