ACHTUNG: This is not a “fair and balanced” article. It is an editorial by the editor.

“It is a tale. Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” — William Shakespeare, “MacBeth”

The Allegan County Republican Party’s official censure of U.S. Rep. Fred Upton for his vote to impeach former President Donald Trump is full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.

The party’s executive committee Thursday unanimously adopted a resolution to censure Upton, complaining there was “little debate” and lack of due process in the impeachment process.

The committee’s resolution stated, “We believe Congressman Upton’s vote is a betrayal of his oath of office and the core values of the Allegan County Republican Party.

“We believe this vote ignored the voice of the voters in Allegan County and was against their interest.”

The whole affair is just marketing and public relations that essentially will change nothing. President Donald Trump will be acquitted in the Senate and all that will come of this for him is the stain of being impeached twice.

The public relations act did gain the notice of the Detroit News, so a case can be made that it was of particular temporary benefit. But it probably will be quickly forgotten.

The News reported, “Censure is symbolic act of disapproval that has no teeth, but the Allegan GOP executive committee referred its resolution to another party panel to ‘investigate any further action that may be available’.”

Such as primary Upton in 2022.

Upton has been in Congress for 34 years, having been elected 17 times in the Sixth Congressional District. He has always said he would support Trump when he agreed with him and disagree when he thought Trump was wrong.

According to the Detroit News, the Allegan County GOP’s resolution said many county residents and precinct delegates had attended the rally where Trump spoke on Jan. 6, and that the thousands had gathered to peacefully petition their government for redress over complaints about the 2020 election.

“The resolution blames the ‘liberal media,’ Democrats and ‘self-serving ‘Republicans’ for ‘misleading’ the public by saying Trump had incited the violence at the Capitol.

But the reason for censure rings hollow, only a protest against Upton’s vote, which is not to the liking of party officials who demand complete unwavering loyalty to the now departed former president. A president who very clearly incited riled up “protesters” to break into the halls of Congress Jan. 6 to intimidate lawmakers in an insurrection that was nothing less than domestic terrorism.

Upton was one of 10 House Republicans who joined Democrats in support of the article of impeachment. He voted his conscience rather than show his fealty to Trump. He and nine others refused to march in lockstep.

Lawmakers often vote on important issues without serious consultation with voters, a difficult and time-consuming process. I cite the State Legislature’s Right to Work law rammed through in less than 24 hours and the tax cut for the rich in 2017.

It’s time for the Allegan County GOP to cut its losses and move forward.