What Happened to Paul Ryan, the Man Charged with Saving the Once Grand Old Party?

Op-ed by TheWiseOldFart

If you follow politics, and you should, you will most likely remember Paul Ryan for two reasons. When he agreed to be Mitt Romney’s running mate in 2012, he prevented Romney from embarrassment. He was certain to be crushed in the coming general election. Ryan, once considered as the hope of the GOP in the 21^st century, failed to impress voters, and President Obama easily won a second term.

The second reason to remember the reluctant Speaker of the House is his opposition to Trump’s candidacy in 2016. He denounced the legitimacy of a Trump presidency, and became a member of the “anybody but Trump” club. However, after his inauguration, Ryan bowed to Trump’s every unconstitutional and destructive demand.

WHERE IS RYAN NOW?

Ryan resigned from congress, but did not leave politics. He is now a member of the Board of Directors for FOX “the real fake news” News.

Ryan continues to attack Trump, not for what he has done to our nation’s future, his constant violations of Constitutional Law, or his affiliation with our country’s biggest enemy, Vladimir Putin, but for what he has done to Ryan’s precious political party.

"He has cost us a lot of seats,” Ryan said, which is true. “He cost us the Senate twice, he cost us the House, because he is nominating—he is pushing through the primaries people who cannot win general elections but who pledge fealty to him.” Also true.

“Ever since 2016, we’ve been losing seats,” Ryan added.

This gives me another reason to hate political parties.

THE TRUTH IS UNDENIABLE. THE STRUGGLE TO WIN ELECTIONS LEFT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WITHOUT REPRESENTATION

The government of the United States is dysfunctional and there is no feasible way to repair the damage. Right-wing politicians are in turmoil. The once Grand Old Party is disjointed. A large number of these fake Republicans are loyal to Trump, not to our nation, and not to the people of America.

One fact reveals how little is accomplished in Washington today. The average number of bills passed into law each year average between 200-600. In 2023, the first half of the 118^th Congress, a total of 54 new bills made it through the process and became law. To call our legislative branch a “do nothing Congress” is downplaying the facts.

Moderate Republicans, who now number little more than a handful, the TEA Party, the Freedom Caucus, and MAGA Republicans continue their efforts to take control of the former Party of Lincoln.

Fact: a Democratic Republic cannot exist without honest deliberation and compromise. These skills are the reason necessary and effective laws were passed throughout our nation’s history. However, fake Republicans have moved so far to the right that democracy has been tossed aside, and fascism embraced.

IF ANYTHING IS TRUE ABOUT RYAN IS THE FACT THAT HE HAS DEVOLVED AT FOX

I remember the Paul Ryan of the past. At one time, I believed that he loved his country, and would become a leader on the right side of the aisle. However, he obviously made a choice to move to the opposite extreme and place party first, leaving the American people behind.

The truth is that in 2024 there are no leaders on the right. They are all followers of the worst illegitimate president in history, a man who is completely unfit and unwilling to lead all 330 million United States citizens.

The second worst president in history, George W. Bush, once said, “if they’re not with us, they’re against us.” This is how I feel about the American people vs. today’s “Republicans.”

Op-ed by James Turnage

My novels can be found on Amazon

Sources: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/6/12/2246155/-Paul-Ryan-still-sucks?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=top_news_slot_1&pm_medium=web

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/paul-ryan-says-he-won-t-defend-donald-trump-n663711