John Kasich: Saving Conservatism by Abandoning Ship: “If the party can’t be fixed,” Kasich said, “I’m not going to be able to support the party.” (CNN interview with Jake Tapper. Saturday, October 7, 2017.)

As a moderate conservative who is two years away from voting, I don’t know where to turn. John Kasich’s threat to leave the party is right on, but also terrifying for a young man as me. 

I do not support white nationalism, and I believe we should be sympathetic to the dreamers and immigrants trying to make better lives for themselves. But at every turn, the GOP disappoints. Even with McCain, Corker, Flake, and my own governor hailing for reform, it is a sad day for Republicans as we see the current administration fumble. 

In a party of extremism, there is no place for moderates like me. I believe strongly in freedom of religion, any religion. I believe that we all should have lower taxes, not just for the rich. I don’t have a burning hatred for liberals, and I respect some of their views. I honor heroes that were captured as much as those that weren’t. 

This disqualifies me from being a Republican, as I couldn’t in good conscience call myself one. But for someone who was once fairly certain about my political future, that leaves me stranded.

Will my vote in two years even matter anymore? As I question who I can support to make my voice heard, I find myself with nowhere to turn.

Undoubtedly, others are just as disgusted as I am. I have to believe I am not the only moderate conservative left standing. But it is becoming easier and easier to feel like it. I will not register with a party whose leaders fail to abide by the etiquette I learned in preschool, and who disregard the basic values of respect and dignity. 

If the GOP wants my vote in two years, it has to change. It isn’t my party anymore.

At every turn, I see moderates sell out and support despicable agendas in the name of political victory. The pundits might be right: taking a stand might be politically unadvisable, and the Democrats might win. I’ve had my share of heated dinner table conversations on this issue. But politics cannot trump basic morals. Morality must come first.

I am only one single sixteen year-old kid. I can’t change what was once the party of my parents and grandparents, but has now abandoned them. My refusal to register as a Republican doesn’t make the news or change minds, but the refusal of everyone in the same boat as me just might.

I can only hope that we all, regardless of our political views, pray to whatever god we believe in that ours will someday be a country for everyone—where we build bridges—not walls.