By David Sypher Donald Trump’s recent felony conviction has made me reflect deeply on the dismal direction of my party. I’m a lifelong Republican, ran for office as a Republican, and yes, I voted for Trump before. His conviction is not just a legal issue; it is a microcosm of a larger problem within the Republican Party and highlights how far we’ve fallen as a nation. Trump’s modus operandi revolves around the politics of divisiveness, much like authoritarian rulers throughout history. He doesn’t just target his violent rhetoric at his political opponents — he also targets minority groups, th…