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The election is over. The votes are in. The Virginia Legislature will now be free from Republican control for the first time in decades. Having the Democrats in control of all three branches of state government is NOT the end of the world, even if some readers seem to think so. Democrats are not perfect, but I have confidence that the newly elected majority will pursue policies which will do the most good for the most people.

Initiatives regarding education, gun safety, climate change/environmental protection, expanding health care to more residents, the ERA and many other areas which affect us all will now be debated and voted upon, rather than being smothered to death in Republican controlled committees. And maybe there can be needed corrections made in matters like gerrymandering, pay-day lending, and campaign finance reform.

Now the task for all of us is to free our country from the Party of Trump. The image of America and what it represents to its citizens and to the rest of the world has been steadily degraded over three years. The ongoing testimony from the impeachment hearings is showing that the intentions of this president are even more foul and corrupt than anyone would have imagined from an occupant of that office. What he did was not a simple quid pro quo, but more a situation of bribery/extortion, with implications for our National Security. Vladimer Putin must be delighted.

It is becoming clear that there may, in fact, be nothing that Trump wouldnt do to further his own personal interests. And he acts with impunity because no one will stop him. The silence of nearly the entire collection of elected Republicans to Trumps awful words and his crude, cruel, and dangerous actions has been shocking. They are choosing party over country.

Even worse, they have chosen him over country.

In the televised impeachment hearings, many Republicans have abandoned all sense of right and wrong, as they try to defend the indefensible. Meanwhile, the dear leader and his agents heap scorn on the military officers and career diplomats who have stepped forward to tell the truth.

To anyone, in the midst of all this, who still plans to vote Republican, I ask, Why? Years ago there were reasons people might do that, but what does the Republican Party stand for NOW? What good things has it done recently? Seriously.

In Frederick County, the myth of the Republican Party endures. At different polling sites on Election Day I heard too many voters ask, Which candidates are the Republicans? Thats who Im voting for.

How sad that so many remain tied to a party which, in spirit, no longer exists. What a loss for Virginia to not have Ronnie Ross, Irina Khanin, and Mavis Taintor in the Legislature to contribute their skills to the states leadership. Instead, the incumbent placeholders will continue to represent us.

And what a shame that Frederick County will not benefit from any new blood. We had the opportunity to elect 3 energetic, forward-thinking people Heidi David-Young, Steve Jennings, and John Lamanna to the Board of Supervisors. How exciting that would have been! Frederick County is on the cusp of another growth spurt. I do hope that the old guard is up to the task.

Kevin Kennedy is a resident of Frederick County.

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Open Forum: Does the Republican Party still exist? - The Winchester Star