If anything Trump is a symptom of how far Republicans have separated themselves from what they once stood for. If that means he is now the 'face' of the schism - then so be it. He did not start or cause it. He is just exacerbating it.
I have no interest in being 'united' with a party that told unwavering principled Conservatives to shut up, support whom they tell us to support or get out. I have no interest in being in a party that acts just like Democrats in voice and deed.
This part is exactly right, and the crux of the situation.
I have zero fealty to party.
I have zero fealty to persons (Cruz is quickly losing traction with me, as an instance).
ALL I care about politically are the principles of Conservatism. And I think I speak for my fellows in that, all of whom have been regularly assaulted as 'purists', I am sure, as I have...
That Republicans do not stand upon those principles anymore at all is the issue. Somehow they feel they have the right to Conservative votes anyway, while Conservatives, having less and less loyalty to party as they go, are finding other political bodies to support instead.
I will never be a Republican again. The betrayal is so deep and so longstanding that trust in party is forever shattered.
Defend your positions and candidates upon the principles of Conservatism, or STFU.
Fear based angles trying to make me vote against the other side will not work.
Half-baked attempts to change Conservatism by hyphenation will not work.
Asinine attempts at in-group/out-group will not work.
If it is not Conservative, you ain't gonna win me any more.