At my 6th birthday party, the egg dropped from my spoon in the race. Since it was my birthday, I felt entitled to win, so I whined and pouted.

My mother calmly explained the rules of both the game and life, in general. I returned to my party and had a good time. Years later, I remembered the event with shame, but forgave myself because I realized that is the sort of thing a 6-year-old does. Later, in grade school, I learned that there were always a few bullies who tormented others and won the allegiance of a posse of small-minded followers.

Most of my life, I have disagreed, respectfully, with many, if not most Republican positions on social, fiscal and foreign policy issues. In the last decade or so, and especially the last seven years, I have sadly abandoned the respect. A bully has appointed himself their leader. He is a fragile, self-loathing, narcissist who insults everyone, but whose feelings are hurt if anyone opposes him. And he accuses them, falsely, of treason.

Most GOP elected officials have chosen to slavishly follow the bully, excusing and supporting his every childish statement or whim, every false claim and lie. I would hope that Republican voters are beyond joining the bully’s posse, but they keep electing the posse.

Per the story of the chair of the La Plata Republican Party aping the bully’s lies and refusing to certify the Nov. 7 election: Shelli Shaw, grow up.

Rhys Schrock

Durango