[TheRealThing]

FWIW, I believed this had the potential to become a great thread as soon as I saw it. But in considering where the Republican backbone has gone I've had a few more thoughts.

First, not a lot of people take the time to appreciate the true origin and nature of the genius of the founders, much less their sacrifice and intentions. The principles of true freedom which they enshrined within our founding documents, were as well considered as they were pure and precious. Most Americans (and ironically nearly 100% of academia) have not taken the time to understand our own heritage, they're just too consumed with their own wants. With one qualifier of course, in addition to that, academia are too consumed with their liberal ideology. But to the vast majority the American dream would mean a 7,000 dollar a week knock on the door from Publisher's Clearing House; or hitting the lottery, or some other get rich in a second pipe dream. In the meantime though, they are perfectly content to vote for politicians who promise a middle class lifestyle for doing nothing. That's the only equality of opportunity they care about. God forbid they should have to get up early every day and go earn their living. In this day, if one wants to hear the proper perspective of our heritage, or the thoughts of people with the proper perspective, they would do well to seek out the opinions of legal immigrants.

Stewart Varney or Steve Hilton comes to mind. Mr Hilton waxes eloquent on the subject and so too does Denesh D'Souza. Americans have had everything handed to them since the unfortunate short sighted Johnson administration decided to legally burden working folk with the bill for the sloth of their fellow citizens. ABTW, the deal to that end was totally sealed with the passage of the scourge of ObamaCare. Many working folks now are so burdened with paying for the cost of 'other peoples' care, that they cannot afford medical care for themselves. How's that Redistribution workin for ya?

Like it or not, many Republicans study the concepts of conservatism just enough to develop campaign rhetoric sufficient to get elected. They are not committed from conscience about the values of traditional conservatism. More often than not, they are nothing more than run of the mill university work product. Indoctrinated liberals in other words. Well dressed hollow shells concerned only about the power and prestige associated with high office. The truth of which in no way justifies the contempt of their liberal brethren across the aisle. Brethren who Republicans court and woo and kiss up to as much as they dare, to a level just shy of raising the ire of their base enough to oust them. The contempt contempt we see in our day, rises against true conservatives and I might add, being a true conservative means one can speak candidly as does one Donald J Trump. Every question is answered in a spontaneous fashion. When one is speaking honestly or from the heart, great care about what he says is not a requirement. Thus MR Trump has nothing to hide.

So, in the case of many Republicans the lack of a backbone is attributable to lack of commitment or personal integrity. The RINO's on the Hill are far more concerned with being part of the DC click than representing their constituents.