You probably heard of the musical “Cats.” Years ago I saw the live performance, but recently, I listened to the soundtrack again. Mr. Mistoffelees the main character/dancer is derived from the fictional Mephistopheles of medieval legend. Demon of the past, who makes a deal with the devil to trade something of moral importance for power or riches. Mr. Mistoffelees is the tuxedo black and white Jellicle cat with magical powers that he is not able to control. He is always deceiving you, into believing you that he is only hunting for mice! Feats of magic with a sleight of hand and is also cunning with dice! Oh was there ever, a cat so clever, as the magical Mr. Mistoffelees. Those are the lyrics.

Mephistopheles, a Faustian bargain where the bargainer makes a deal at the price of his soul or who surrenders moral integrity in order to achieve power. This time it left me with an existential question for the Republican Party. Was what you surrendered, far more valuable than what you obtained?

A president who openly embraced “Nationalism” but where globalization is here to stay, and “Patriotic Education” but stoked fear, and divisiveness at his rallies. A president who repeated lies over and over again. Hitler’s mantra. Who obsessed about voter fraud but yet his Republican-led “Voting Integrity Commission” found no evidence to support that claim. A man who would not concede even after Republicans filed and lost 86 lawsuits.

Those of us who revere the Constitution of the United States, will never, ever forget about the disinformation campaigns, the baseless claims of voter fraud, the mental torture to children by separating them from their parents at the Southern border, and especially the sheer audacity and betrayal of your party to undermine and try to destroy our Democratic (Constitutional) Republic.

Debra Becker

Independent

Effort