I’m no expert on immigration policy. I don’t have to be, to know that separating children from their parents is a terrible thing. I pray our elected officials will toss political games aside and permanently stop this from happening at the border.

Now that I’ve said that, let me address something else.

Steve Schmidt, a longtime GOP strategist who advised John McCain’s 2008 presidential run, is trending on Twitter. He’s leaving the Republican Party, he announced Wednesday. “It is fully the party of Trump,” he said in a thread of angry tweets. “This child separation policy is connected to the worst abuses of humanity in our history.”

I have no problem with Schmidt leaving the GOP. I’m not a registered Republican myself. Thankfully, Texas doesn’t require me to register with a party. Yes, I’m a conservative. But I prefer to call myself a small “i” independent.

I do have a problem with what Schmidt said in one of the series of tweets announcing his switch. “The first step to a season of renewal in our land is the absolute and utter repudiation of Trump and his vile enablers in the 2018 election by electing Democratic majorities.”

He adds that he isn’t an “advocate of a progressive agenda.” But when you advocate electing Democratic majorities … well, that’s exactly what you are. Then to top it off, he called the Democratic Party “the only party left in America that stands for what is right and decent and remains fidelitous to our Republic, objective truth, the rule of law and our Allies.”

Did I Miss Something?

Wait! Hold on. The Democratic party is the “only party left that stands for what is right and decent”?!

When did celebrating the killing of helpless, unborn babies in the womb become “what is right”? When did it become decent to filibuster a moderate measure protecting unborn babies after 20 weeks — the point when they feel pain?

Since when is being openly hostile to an individual’s religion “fidelitous to our Republic”?

Does banning voluntary sexuality counseling uphold “objective truth”? What about reaching into pulpits and subpoenaing pastors’ sermons to scour them for politically incorrect content? I guess that’s “right and decent” and “fidelitous to our Republic” too? First Amendment be damned.

When You Trade Bad For Bad, You Get Worse

The Republican Party isn’t perfect. Far from it. I sometimes want to pull my hair out, seeing how many Republicans shrug at every offensive, non-conservative, flat-out wrong thing President Donald Trump says and does. 

I have plenty of issues with Republicans. That’s why I don’t identify as one.

But I also have an issue with people who abandon one problem only to align themselves with another. Who turn from something bad to something bad. Who think a political party is the only answer to our nation’s problems.

I know some people will try to explain how it really does all come down to who we elect. But I refuse to believe an evil bandwagon is the vehicle to take us to a good destination.

Jump Ship, But Be Careful Where You Swim

In other words, no, Americans do not need to support Democrats in 2018 to start the “season of renewal in our land.” No politician or political party can truly start that. Casting all our hope on one person or party is a form of idolatry. And it ignores deep-seated spiritual problems in our culture, of which our politics are but a reflection.

I understand we face immediate problems that require political solutions. Like the messed up situation at the border. But may I suggest that a seasoned political strategist like Schmidt try something besides a political 180 to help us find that solution?

What if he threw his energy into working with decision makers on both sides of the aisle to reach a compromise that will help vulnerable kids stay with their parents? What if he advised concerned voters of both parties on how best to lobby their representatives to get something done?

He can still jump the GOP ship if his conscience tells him to. But he shouldn’t swim directly to the party that actively supports so many other evil, anti-family and un-American policies. Unfortunately, that’s what he did.