AN OPEN LETTER TO REPUBLICANS

Dear Sisters and Brothers who happen to be Republicans,

I write to you today as a chair of one of our County Democratic Parties. I know. At first glance, the thought of an unrepentant Democrat writing to Republicans seems almost absurd. Even laughable.  What have we got to talk about, anyway? The divide Is vast. The anger and rancor is deep.   

But if you’re one of those Republicans who are weary of division and seek less hostility and more collaboration, less condemnation and more cooperation, this letter might be for you.

If you’re one of those Republicans who don’t agree with much of what the party stands for today, but think the only way your voice gets heard is by voting in Republican primaries, this letter might be for you.

If you’re one of those Republicans who believe that women should have control over their own bodies, this letter might be for you.

If you’re one of those Republicans who deep down, possess  a moral core of kindness, compassion, and hope, then this letter might be for you.

If you’re one of those Republicans who are Christian, but cringe a little when the former President sells Bibles with his likeness on them.  If you stuff down a growing sense of cognitive dissonance when you learn that this former President has cheated on all three of his wives and has been found guilty of 34 felony counts related to covering up hush money paid to silence a porn star with whom he had an affair.   If you are one of those Christians who cherish the family values of faithfulness and fidelity, this letter might be for you.

And finally friends, if you are one of those Republicans who still put country over party; who know deep down that spirited disagreement is good, but insurrection is not.   If you’re one of those Republicans who yearns in your soul to work with others to make of our country a “more perfect union,”  then this letter is definitely for you.

If you are one of these Republicans, I’d like to invite you to think about coming over to join with the Democratic party as we strive together to lift up our common values that stress family, education and the power of public education. Even in our own gatherings, we often disagree, but we are unified around our commonly held values.

Come join the work of building a community that reflects the immigrant roots we all share as we open the door to new waves of persecuted people seeking freedom and opportunity.

Come, sit down with us as we put away the lies and vitriol, as we silence our weaponized language and seek for understanding and mutual accountability.   Come, and let us dream together of a new America, strengthened in unity; broadened in acceptance, and made bold as we expand liberty and justice so that it truly is available to all.

This is a heartfelt invitation, friends.   We are reaching out to everyone who wishes to build new foundations on the values of kindness, compassion and hope.

Come, join us as we seek to make America kind again.

Sincerely,
Schuyler Rhodes, Chair
Iron County Democratic Party
Iron County, Utah