America’s tallest flag dedicated in Sheboygan, Wisconsin

He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it, is really cooperating with it. —Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

What should Republicans do to save themselves and the country?

They should begin by listening to former vice-president Mike Pence.

“President Trump asked me to put him over the Constitution of the United States. But I chose the Constitution and always will. Anyone who puts themselves over the Constitution should never be president.”

Okay, I know, I know, Pence’s Come-to-Jesus moment comes a little late. For a man rooted in the Christian faith, it’s a shame it didn’t happen sooner . . . but better late than never!

I’ve quoted ethicist/teacher Michael Josephson many times before, but Mike Pence is a perfect example of Josephson’s definition:

Ethics is having the character and the courage to do the right thing, even if it costs more than you want to pay.

And Pence is going to pay . . . big time at the primaries. Many Republicans now consider the former vice-president a sellout, a RINO (Republican in Name Only), and a few other adjectives I won’t mention. But he has salvaged his soul by admitting what a clear majority of the country knows.

Those who are on the right wing of the Republican Party are on the wrong side of the Republic they swore to preserve and protect.

But here’s my pitch for helping rid the country and the world of Donald Trump and it’s aimed at those Republicans who continue to remain silent: Drop the silence act, it’s not working; speak with one voice against the biggest internal threat the country has ever faced; honor your commitment to the Constitution; draft a statement condemning a man who almost overturned American democracy and could do it again!

Okay, alright, I know, we’re likely not going to get all the silent Republican voices to do what they know in their hearts is the right thing. But here’s a stronger statement.

All Republicans running for president: Tim Scott, Asa Hutchenson, Chris Christie, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Wil Hurd, Vivek Ramaswamy, Mike Rogers, and Greg Abbott. (There are others, but I’m only focused on the top names.):

Call a joint press conference in front of the Capitol building where the country was almost overthrown, stand up before as many press cameras as possible, and taking turns, each read a piece of one statement. It might go something like this:

“My fellow Americans . . . while we are running against one another for president . . . and each of us holds different views . . . about the direction of our country . . . we all agree . . . that Donald Trump . . . is disastrous for the Republican Party . . . and a direct threat to American democracy.”

And this is where Mike Pence receives salvation. He steps in front of the entire group and adds:

“Tonight . . . all of us pledge to stand unified in one conviction: the only way America can succeed for each of us is for all of us to stand for the Constitution and against Donald Trump. . . . This message was approved . . .

“BY ALL OF US!”