Also: the passing of two notable contributors to New Hampshire life

Bankruptcy occurs when the liabilities of an entity far exceed its assets. Political bankruptcy occurs when a political party embraces folly, falsehood and lies, instead of its ideals, philosophy and tradition, and is guided by such mistakes.

By these definitions, the Republican National Committee, ostensibly the national governing body of one of the great political parties of the United States, is bankrupt. When it declared that the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol was “legitimate political discourse,” it declared bankruptcy, and wasn’t aware enough to know it.

Luckily, for the party and the nation, there are those in real leadership positions and who are members of the Republican Party, many of whom have been elected by real voters to real offices, who are wise and brave enough to recognize the folly of the RNC, an entity which for years has had no real power and generally is at the mercy of the last nominee for president. In this case, the members of the RNC largely are loyal to Donald Trump, who almost simultaneously with the pronouncement, was demonstrating for all to see his vulnerability and arrogance, as his accounting firm abandoned him and withdrew its prior opinions of The Trump Organization’s financial condition, and he reportedly asked his minions to find candidates for office in New Hampshire (and elsewhere) loyal to him, in races for governor and U.S. Senate.

Gov. Chris Sununu was the one Republican governor in New England to support Trump for reelection (not his best day). However, Trump did not deem him “loyal enough to Trump,” and sought a primary opponent to challenge him.

Sununu should not lose any sleep over this new badge of honor. Senate hopefuls should consider carefully what the stamp of approval from Trump will mean ultimately.

Meanwhile, Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell, understanding the difference between reality and fantasy, made a statement criticizing the RNC, which said, in essence, “We were here, we saw the insurrection, and it was not legitimate discourse.” Also, according to The New York Times, he is seeking to defeat the Trump Senate candidates, knowing they will be so wacky in many cases that they cannot win, and find candidates who can restore a GOP majority.

Similarly, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan made a blunt statement about the political folly of those who follow Trump.

A party loses its way, as does a nation, when loyalty and patriotism are measured by loyalty to a person or party, and not to the nation. When the RNC confused its mission to be advancing Donald Trump, and not America or traditional Republican values, it declared bankruptcy. Perhaps Republican officeholders can help it to a reorganization and not a complete liquidation!

New Hampshire lost two very significant people recently, both of whom contributed to the state in very different ways.

Dorothy Peterson, 95, was the widow of Walter R. Peterson, speaker of the House, governor, Franklin Pierce College president, acting president of the University of New Hampshire, and acting chancellor of the Community College System of New Hampshire.

One of New Hampshire’s most significant citizens of the 20th century, Peterson contributed to many aspects of life, and Dorothy Peterson was with him every step of the way. She was a fine first lady, supportive college president’s wife who had her own impact on the institutions, first woman chair of the Monadnock Community Hospital board, and a gracious but firm presence. The state should pause and be thankful for the life of contributions of this fine lady.

George Larkin, for whom the soccer field at Southern New Hampshire University is named, also passed away in early February. Larkin was an educator for life, coming to New Hampshire College after serving as a high school guidance counselor, and for years was dean of students and vice president for student affairs.

Larkin befriended generations of students, challenging them to be the best they could be, was a football official, coach for his kids and advocate for improvement of the college, as it evolved into one of the most innovative and significant agents for change in higher education.

As a private citizen, he was a role model.

Devout in his Catholic faith, active father who encouraged his children to be themselves and achieve what they wanted, devoted husband of 60 years, he quietly set the standard for those who knew him on how to live.