Carson B. Messick
Backstabber, traitor, turncoat, defector, Benedict Arnold, and Quisling. These are a few of the words used to describe someone who betrays their cause and collaborates with their former enemies. In today’s Republican party, one word has come to represent this idea: RINO. Republican In Name Only.
What makes someone a RINO? It is in the interest of the conservative movement to have as many members as possible, therefore individuals should only be declared a RINO if their actions seriously impair the conservative movement. I suggest there are three ways someone can make themselves a RINO: they negatively affect the power of conservatives to a significant degree, they compromise the values of the conservative movement, or they refuse to use power positively. For a person to be considered a RINO they must commit at least one of the three indiscretions with purpose and malice.
First, the most obvious way someone can become a RINO is by decreasing the power of conservatives. A few weeks ago, former Representative Dan Ingle used his influence to appoint a radical leftist to the Alamance-Burlington Board of Education. Earlier in the year, Bill Goebel collaborated with left-wing Democrats to undermine the party by placing himself on the Guilford County Board of Education. Both of these men unmasked themselves shortly afterward by leaving the Republican party. In the above cases, so-called conservatives undermined the cause by directly aiding the opposition in seizing power. Thus, conservatism needs power to fulfill its goals so when one of its own affects its power negatively they deserve to be cast out and called a RINO.
Second, an individual can become a RINO by compromising conservative principles egregiously. There have been a few Republicans in other states who have taken weak stances on the transgender issue. Some politicians have argued that parents should be able to transition their children from one sex to another. In reality, these “gender transitions” are just a euphemism for genital mutilation. Most Republicans who have taken this stance have since backpedaled, which is why I do not call them out by name, however, this sort of weak sauce on the transgender issue seriously compromises the conservative cause. If we cannot conserve the reality that men are men and women are women then what can we conserve? All the power in the world means nothing if our “conservative” politicians are confused about the basics of the gender binary. The distinction between the sexes is only one of a handful of conservative fundamentals. Thus, if someone takes a radical position on certain integral issues then they deserve to be called a RINO.
Lastly, refusal to use power justly can make one a RINO. Senator John McCain did a great deal for the conservative cause. However, bitterness towards President Trump caused him to vote against the repeal of Obamacare. Senator McCain had within his power an opportunity to help the United States by reforming healthcare but chose not to because he felt that his vendetta against the President was more important. Sometimes not taking action, a sin of omission, can be just as harmful as giving power to radicals. This is not to say that conservatives must take action on all issues, this is simply not possible, but sometimes the right decision is obvious and not taking it can be harmful. Thus, if a conservative refuses to wield power for the public good he can be considered a RINO.
Carson Messick is a resident of Gibsonville, NC. In 2022 at the age of 18, he graduated with honors from Clover Garden School. In 2023 he graduated with honors from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Do the math. He is currently being courted by numerous law schools. Should you ever cross his path I suggest you treat him with respect. He will most likely be your boss one day.