Trump, GOP don’t embody the Cowboy Code

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OPINION — I used to be a Republican. I voted for Ronald Reagan. To me, Reagan embodied the Cowboy Code of actor singer Gene Autry. The code included that the cowboy must never shoot first, hit a smaller man or take unfair advantage. He must always tell the truth. He must help people in distress.

How do Trump and his rubberstamping Congress embody the Cowboy Code? So much for not shooting first nor taking unfair advantage. Our country now sees murder on the high seas, execution of American citizens by ICE and health care stripped from the poor in favor of tax cuts for billionaires. What does Rep. Abe Hamadeh think of an administration which takes unfair advantage?

When looking at the Cowboy Code voters might ask, “Can I ever expect this Republican Congress to hold Trump accountable, make him keep his word?” Trump said no more endless wars. What do they call the war against Iran? He also promised to end the Russian war against Ukraine. What does Rep. Hamadeh say about all this?

Trump says the war with Iran is “small potatoes.” If Iran is small potatoes, does that mean the U.S. troops killed in this war served for “small potatoes?” And since there were less U.S. troops killed under Biden, are those deaths even smaller potatoes? As a veteran I’m outraged about this small potatoes comment. What does Rep. Hamadeh say about Iran being small potatoes?

Voters should ask themselves if they are sick of a Congress that has done nothing but defend policies of raids, detentions and the separation of families. I contend Ronald Reagan would be sick of it all.

Face it. The Cowboy Code embodied decency and kindness. Those qualities were in the driver’s seat back then. Now? Decency and kindness are stuffed in the trunk.

Rep. Abe Hamadeh is seeking reelection in Congressional District 8, which includes parts of Glendale, Peoria, north Phoenix, Sun City, Sun City West and Surprise. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.