Donald Trump represents the opposite of everything I was taught to value - by Republicans.

When I was growing up in rural Ohio in the 1960s and 70s, most of the institutions in my community - the schools, churches, civic organizations and local government - were controlled by conservative white Christian Republicans.

In school, church, 4-H meetings, scout troops, and meetings of the local Rotary, Lions, etc. the message was consistent: work hard, defend our nation, praise God, perform public service, be honest and respectful and law-abiding.

I didn't agree with a lot of their opinions about the war in Vietnam, civil rights, women's rights, rock music, and the length of people's hair. HOWEVER, the bedrock principles of right and wrong seemed to be universally agreed upon, even when we disagreed vehemently on how to manifest them. In other words, Nixon was not praised for being a crook. His supporters simply insisted that he was misunderstood.

Trump is appalling, but far more appalling is that the Republican Party has embraced him, rejecting EVERY SINGLE VALUE they claimed to hold dear.

The Republican Party needs to be held to account for this. I will never again allow any Republican to lecture me on any Democrat's morals or patriotism.

The Republican Party stands for nothing. Nothing.