Why Should I Vote Republican?

 W. D. Bert Newman asks a question today at the American Thinker which has been troubling my own thoughts for a while now: Tell me again why I should vote Republican? As he points out:

Really? Not so fast, Bucko. A mere two days after this great political victory that was supposed to signal a profound change of direction in the body politic -- one that would send a message to everyone that taxation, regulation, border anarchy, racism and authoritarian mandates were given a resounding rejection -- thirteen Republican House members voted to support the President’s “infrastructure” spending plan that would all but guarantee the continuation of everything that we thought we opposed. (Nineteen Republican Senators also voted for this bill.) So what is the point in continuing to elect Republicans when they sell out principles so easily?

Of course, this is only the latest example of “moderate” and “centrist” GOP pols assisting the Dems to further their growth policies in the areas of government debt, deficit, regulation, taxation, and control. Debt and deficits grew alarmingly under both Presidents Trump and Biden. Both Republican and Democratic congresses pass new legislation that alarmingly increases the size, scope and expense of government. Both parties vote to raise the debt limit without much thought to repayment. Both parties accept without question the right of the Federal Reserve to artificially suppress interest rates, and to continue bond purchases, “quantitative easing” and other measures that result in a bloated balance sheet, asset inflation and destruction of the dollar’s purchasing power. So what is the point in electing Republicans?

So often, whether they are in control or in opposition, Republicans do not really stand for anything. They may at times oppose the size or expense of legislation proposed by Democrat administrations, but they do not lead. They do not defend any consistent positions. They are almost always on defense, and overly sensitive to media criticism. They apologetically play by the rules (even when in a street fight). They attempt to piously uphold congressional institutional traditions (often to their disadvantage) but they are, for the most part, ineffectual. None of these traits plague Democrats who consistently and doggedly push forward their radical agenda, unconcerned about appearances or opinion.

I am appalled that so many GOP Congressmen and Senators would vote for the opposite party's agenda.  There is a saying that there are no DINOs, Democrats In Name Only, but there are lots of RINOs, and we talk about them all the time.  Why is that?  And no, I do not see voting for a Democrat, but I can see little value in voting for a Republican either.  Just look at the Supreme Court where we now have two new Catholic members, and we are wondering how they will vote on abortion.  Really?

Many who read this blog may know that I have voted Republican at the state level because the Republicans have been the most supportive of my right to keep and bear arms.  But here too, while the campaign on upholding gun rights, they tend to do nothing about them unless we prod and pry, and even then they are likely to send gun rights bills to a committee to die.

So, like Newman, I have to wonder why should I vote Republican?  Does my vote count at all?