The conservative religious lawmakers at the helm of our federal government have repeatedly insisted on injecting the Ten Commandments into every facet of public life, including courthouses and schools. Let’s see how their own choices and actions hold up against the rules they claim to live by.

1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Right out of the gate—nope. The unequivocal defense and blatant knee-bending to this president no matter the egregious nor blasphemous nature of his actions have made it abundantly clear who they have chosen as their god.

2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven idol.

The golden calf is a metaphor. Wealth before all else, including the so-cherished Christian values they toss around carelessly—no debate there—pearls before swine. The gutting of every single program intended to support and serve the people in lieu of lining the pockets of the already disgustingly wealthy, including, and especially, this president, who has used his position in the world to siphon riches and favors from every last corner of the globe to the benefit of and for the sake of his own fragile ego, has rendered that commandment meaningless to them.

3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.

Claiming a mandate and invoking a “holy war” position to justify unprovoked acts of violence and slaughter. The tired and empty promises of prayer and warm thoughts in lieu of action—again, meaningless.

4. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

What does this even mean in the modern world? Honoring a day of rest has long since fallen by the wayside for much of the population. Showing up on Sunday to feed one’s sense of self-righteousness, soothe one’s guilt and confirm one’s sense of superiority certainly doesn’t qualify.

5. Honor thy father and thy mother.

Not having known their parents, I cannot ascertain if they are breaking their hearts or have turned out exactly as intended. They have certainly chosen not to honor the founding fathers they so love to exalt. This president has shredded the constitution and gleefully wiped his shitty shoes all over the Declaration of Independence, so yeah—fail.

6. Thou shalt not kill.

ICE and the utter lack of accountability—need I elaborate?

7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Adultery and a history of sexual violence have become the prerequisites for entry into the inner circle, so no, this commandment is definitely not a guiding principle.

8. Thou shalt not steal.

Tariffs, which, rather than injecting prosperity into the economy have served only as a massive theft committed against the electorate.

9. Thou shalt not bear false witness.

I have never watched anyone lie so flippantly and without conscience, nor any more shameless, willing, and desperate defense of those lies by his disciples than this president.

10. Thou shalt not covet.

The playground bully will strut around stealing and sneering and throwing sand in people’s eyes, but he can only do so thanks to his enablers. Any bully, without cronies, is powerless. This president and those who consistently defend him have one goal, unlimited power and wealth. The root of coveting is an insatiable thirst for everything and anything, especially those things one has not earned nor has any rightful claim to, and the ruthlessness to take without an ounce of regret or shame.

Ten Commandments—ten examples of an unapologetic disregard and irreverence for their own so-called "guiding principles.” Actions speak louder than words and before y’all get incredulously righteous with me, yes, I was raised in an evangelical home and church, so I am more than qualified to speak to this, and yes, I know Democrats and “liberal thinkers” are equally as capable of corruption, hypocrisy, and cowardice but—Republicans control all branches of government and have successfully highjacked the Supreme Court, so any course correction must come from them. Question is, are any of them courageous enough to truly live the values they claim supplication to? So far, the only supplication I’ve witnessed is to the gods of wealth, power, and war.

The midterms are fast approaching. We must be vigilant against complacency and the assumption that the pendulum will swing towards justice. We’ve grossly underestimated the twisted, commanding motivations of greed and hatred too often to the detriment of not only our populace, but that of the entire globe. I am confident that most of us have no desire to be governed by a cohort of sniveling cowards and fools. Whether or not we are personally responsible for granting them the power to chart the course of our lives and our future, we all must take responsibility for showing them the door.