I too got very disenchanted with the RP back in 1996. That attack on Buchanan as if he were Hitler, did it for me. I had seen that tactic used by the Democrats for decades, and was shocked to see our side do it. That was the end for me. I still voted Dole, but in 2000 I wouldn't have any part of Bush. Then I voted for him in 2004. It was a big mistake.
1996 and 2004 are the only two elections I have regretted. I will never make that mistake again. Voting to support the party is DOA these days.
I have given the Constitution party some thought. I don't know if it's worth the bother though.
As for the GOP, it's currently dead to me. I agree with your assessment completely.
In 69 I was not yet able to vote, but Richard Nixon was my Commander in Chief from ‘68 to ‘71.
It was natural to be a Conservative at the time, even though I didn’t even know what that meant. I hated the Hippies, who refused to take baths, smoked dope and called me a baby killer when they had no clue who I really was or what I did in the service of my country.
I killed NO babies, and fired most of my rounds into a dark faceless jungle perimeter lit chaotically by enemy muzzle flashes. There were times I cannot elaborate on and try desperately to forget, but cannot.
I voted for Nixon in his second term, which didn’t last long. I have been a Republican ever since but honestly say, this will be the first election where I will not vote for the GOP candidate. It pains me to do so, but the country needs to learn a lesson it will not forget. And I do not fear the outcome. That will take care of itself.