To the editor:

As a one-time conservative, I understand it’s hard for lifelong Republicans to vote Democratic. Please know this about the current crop of Republicans, in Kansas and nationwide: They are not Republicans.

Traditional core Republicans believe in limited government. Our current crop cluelessly watches as Trump tries to project federal power throughout the country, often unlawfully, including election authority, guaranteed to the states by the Constitution. His clearly anti-Republican power-grab includes the congressionally unauthorized war with Iran, for which we pay at the pumps and everywhere else. Instead of the long-held belief of the party of Reagan in free trade and free markets, current Republicans cover their eyes as Trump wrecks our international trade alliances with insults and tariffs paid for by you and me. The traditional Republican belief in a strong military bolstered by international alliances? They let Trump ensure the U.S. will never be trusted by allies again.

Fiscal restraint? Republicans under Trump supported a national debt increase of $2 trillion per year. Belief in law and order? Protecting American institutions such as the Dept. of Justice? Our so-called Republicans hid their faces as Trump used the DOJ as his personal attack dogs, and pardoned lawfully convicted Jan. 6 insurrectionists who assaulted police while trying to overturn a free and fair election.

These are not Republicans. They are dedicated handmaids to a would-be dictator, with no care for country or constituents. I hope we remember it when voting.

Gary Henry,

Lawrence