It is patently evident that the fate of the nation lies solely in the hands of the American people. Both political parties have serious flaws.

The Democrats have become the party of Socialists and, thus, offer nothing for the future of America except dependence on government, which ultimately and historically leads to iron-fisted control of the people. The get-free-stuff crowd eventually comes to the harsh reality that under Socialism the hand-outs become more and more meager as the government determines what, when and how much. The heavy burden of Socialism eventually takes its toll. Over time, it spurs a desire for freedom, self-determination and free-market capitalism as it again beats in the melancholy hearts of the down-trodden who were so eager to give up their freedom and independence. That is the future offered by the Democrat Party.

The Republican Party, by contrast, touts constitutionally based freedoms and a free-market where the people are not constrained by a heavy-handed government, but are driven by their own energies and desires to personally succeed and grow a nation with liberty at its core. That is the future that may still be offered by the Republican Party — if it does not let its old-establishment leaders get in the way. The greater the distance by the GOPe from the nation’s founding values and ideals, the greater the rebellion from the base that is refusing to be pushed around.

The cold reality of the extent of the divide within the party came when it was reported by the Associated Press that GOP establishment presidential candidate Jeb Bush says that he finally “got it” in regard to the angry mood of the American people. The U.S. News & World Reports’ headline reads, “Bush tells AP he misjudged intensity of anger among GOP voters before his White House campaign.” Though his campaign is most associated with the old-party elites, Bush is not alone in that potentially terminal disconnect.

The old dogs of Capitol Hill, too, long cushy in their jobs, now fear the new bloods that look to turn them out into the streets. The GOP establishment (GOPe) has been amply and repeatedly warned about neglecting the concerns of its constituency.

An example of such a warning is an article I wrote, “The Spine of the GOP,” on May 3, 2011, citing what amounted to years of desertion by the GOP establishment. The initial outsiders became the conservative and moderate voters within the party. Governor Bush confirmed what middle America has long known, elitist Republicans — who also hold disdain for so-called outsider Republican candidates in the race for the Presidency — had become increasingly detached. They were more immersed in retaining power and control than in serving the people.

Consider that the following article was written as a warning to the GOP establishment five years ago. With some ironic déjà vu, note that Donald Trump was also in the aim and was the bane of the GPOe back then. The mood of the electorate was souring with the American people already fed-up with promises not kept by elected officials.   “The Spine of the GOP,” by Sharon Sebastian, May 3, 2011 (The Patriot Post):

Myopically, Republicans are asking themselves – why are voters swooning over Trump?

Republican voters began feeling disenfranchised in 2005-2006 when core conservative principles were discarded by a GOP in search of the independent and liberal vote. The outcry of being constituents without representation rang true in conservative circles. Unwarranted spending sprees and unprotected borders had dire consequences for the GOP in 2008 as liberals swept the vote. Once burned, voters today warn that a GOP that compromises values, rights and freedoms could mean the death knell of the party. In 2010, after two harried years of Barack Obama, voters put the GOP on life-support, which opened the door for a fragile recovery – a recovery that relies on spending cuts, defunding Obamacare, restraints on the EPA and an end to onerous backdoor, economy-killing government regulations. The Republican Party has prospects for new life – a half-life at best – until it proves itself to be a party of leadership in defense of the Constitution, adherence to fiscal responsibility and Americans’ God-given rights and liberties.

On such unsteady ground, GOP candidates fear Donald Trump. Consensus is that the appeal of Trump is his bluntness, his unreserved frankness about the dire condition of the country and who put us there. Trump wisely acquiesced that if his joining the race as an Independent would assure re-election of Barack Obama, then he would not do it. Trump says his focus is to make certain that Obama does not see another four years in office. Trump appears to have no interest in being eviscerated by the American people as the historical spoiler who helped push the nation into its demise by aiding, inadvertently or not, in the re-election of Barack Obama.

Politicians need to know that the American people are in no mood. If politicians are sitting in Congress taking up space and enjoying top of the line benefits, free gas, and a free ride at the expense of American families, then voters are done with you. If a politician is willing through compromise to sell-out this nation’s future, voters are done with you. If a politician abuses and refuses to listen to constituents’ concerns whether at town halls or on phone calls, they are done with you. And, if politicians disregard a revival of Constitutional principles, the balancing of the budget, the guidance of the founding faith and the immeasurable sacrifice and value of our men and women in the military, voters are done with you.

The American voter is developing a fine sense of detecting political double-speak versus earnest representatives who say what they mean and mean what they say. To restore this nation, politicians with a spine, who will not back down on issues of major consequence, must become America’s future leaders. Those who leech off of this nation, as it struggles for survival, are the antithesis of our founding fathers and have become the enemy within. Though a few slipped through during the last election, serial compromisers need not apply. Whether in office or running for office, it will not be wise to test the ire of the American voter with old style GOP give-away-the-farm politics as usual.

So, where does the nation stand five years later? That Barack Obama is the root cause of and, with determination, accelerated the failing of our nation at home and abroad is now part of history. The final chapter of his legacy is to be written in 2016 with more threats of unconstitutional executive orders. Fully aware of Obama’s goal to downgrade America under the guise of “transformation,” the established, old-guard Republicans did little to abate his executive lawlessness, and indeed aided and abetted in some cases. Such cooperation and compromise with Obama’s agenda and the unprecedented empowerment of his presidency by Congress assigns cause for America’s demise to both sides of the aisle. It bears repeating. Those in Congress that took a stand against the tide of a progressively socialistic and weakened America — those politicians with a spine who will not back down on issues of major consequence — must become America’s future leaders.

Reminiscent of the quote from the late baseball manager Yogi Berra, the warning in the article posted five years ago to the GOPe is today “like déjà vu all over again.” That Jeb Bush just now realizes that he “misjudged the intensity of the anger of the GOP voter” confirms that which the base of the party was already sorely aware. His statement gives credence that in regard to the established Republican elites, the constitutionally grounded, traditional voice in the GOP was being ignored. Today, that voice is making itself heard. They refuse to remain a constituency without representation. Beyond the halls of Congress and the campaign trail, Americans will have the final say. Voting to preserve our nation is the final message that must be delivered in what is, unquestionably, a struggle for America’s future. That is the most critical warning of all.

Sharon Sebastian, author of the book, “AGING: WARNING — Navigating Life’s Medical, Mental & Financial Minefields,” is a columnist, commentator, and contributor in print and on nationwide broadcasts on topics ranging from healthcare, culture, religion, and politics to domestic and global policy. Sebastian’s political and cultural analyses are published nationally and internationally. Website: www.AgingWarning.com.