To the Journal editor;

The Marlboro Man rides again! The Marlboro Man was a very successful advertising campaign that helped sell millions of cigarettes during the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s.

During my late teens, due to shrewd advertising, peer pressure, and a touch of ignorance I, too succumbed to the lure of outdoor freedom and rugged individualism.

Today, also like a bad habit in disguise, people are still sold on the idea of Donald Trump as a candidate for president.

A dozen years or so ago someone like Trump never would have occurred. Republicans were fearful of any presidential candidate’s affinity for leaders like Putin, Jong Un, and Orban. They never would have been attracted to someone who diminished the sacrifices made by POWs and of those who served.

They would have placed honesty and fidelity over lies and adultery, placed respect and integrity over offensive and illicit behavior. A candidate who cared for nothing but that which lead to more personal power would have been chided and scoffed at.

The art-of-the-deal marketing political spin to millions has enabled the Republican Party to morph into MAGA-Republicans.

Try changing nothing but a candidate’s political affiliation and you’ll see a sudden switch in attitude and position.

In other words, if a Democrat had done and said the exact same as Trump, Republicans would have denounced him resoundingly.

To accentuate the point, imagine if the Jan. 6 rioters were instead Black Lives Matter storming the capitol. It would have been a very different response indeed.

Over the decades, the GOP has done a very good job of branding and marketing their party. Picture a patriot favoring limited government, wearing a pistol on hip, holding the bible close while waving the American flag. They must surely wear Republican Red.

Some people identify with the Republican brand so strongly that, no matter the candidate, they contort their beliefs and values to rationalize their support.

Tribalism, ignorance, and hypocrisy are the words that best describe this willingness to accept Trump as a candidate for president.

By the time I reached the age of 20, I was finally able to rid myself of the nasty habit of smoking. I started running and spent more time at the gym. I wised up, recognized the negative influence of advertising and moved on to a better lifestyle.

You, too, can break the habit of voting Republican no matter the cost by finding better, more hopeful alternatives.