In this world, global warming is denied and explained as some type of international conspiracy of grant-seeking scientists; gun violence can be reduced by more citizens carrying around more guns; and the government is prosecuting a “war” against Christianity although upwards of 90 percent of government officials identify as Christian. It’s a world of the absurd.

No wonder Donald Trump, the most absurd of men, will be the nominee. He’s going to build a giant wall and make Mexico pay for it! He’s going to impose a 45 percent tariff on Chinese goods! He’s going to torture terrorists and murder their families too!

For years, GOP officials failed to provide constituents with a real-life understanding of current affairs. They advanced no new ideas to solve complicated problems but pedaled the same old two-part solution to everything – cut taxes, shrink government. Now, their voters hate them because they understand, at least on some level, they’ve been played for fools.

What about the rest of us? We didn’t cause the GOP’s descent into madness. We are set to be victims of all this. But we can fight against the insanity. First and foremost, we can vote for someone other than Trump. For those Democrats who frequently don’t vote, that means getting off the couch and getting to the polls. For those Democrats who prefer Bernie, that means getting over the understandable disappointment and voting for a less preferred candidate. For Republicans, party loyalty is strong but surely loyalty to country is stronger.

A Trump presidency would make the U.S. the laughingstock of the world. Voting for the most capable candidate available is no shame. Voting for Trump would be.

Herb Bowman

Durango