I don't know whether I feel like Rodney King these days — or Rodney Dangerfield.

I'm watching the Republicans (all of them, by the way, not just the Republican establishment) self-destruct — blowing the biggest opportunity for a political realignment since 1980.

I'm watching "conservatives," whatever that label means, eat their own in a suicidal political frenzy that represents Hillary Clinton's only chance to win the presidency by default.

I'm watching the mainstream media and the left (or do I repeat myself?) having a field day just sitting back and watching the two remaining candidates for the GOP nomination direct all their fire at each other rather than at Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and the entire Democrat machine that continues its "fundamental transformation of America" unchecked, unmolested, undeterred.

Of course, there are strong differences between Donald Trump and Ted Cruz. But I recall hearing, just a few months ago, both of them saying nice things about each other. I remember comments during the debates like, "Everyone up on this stage would be a much better alternative to Hillary Clinton." What ever happened to those sentiments? Do they realize that deep wounds are being inflicted that may be beyond healing before November? Do each of these candidates understand Republican registration is much lower than Democrat registration and every GOP vote is essential to victory?

Meanwhile, the battle lines established by Trump and Cruz are affecting every segment of Republicanism and the conservative movement.

Phyllis Schlafly, an icon of the right who came out strongly for Trump, is facing, as a direct result, what was once unthinkable - a palace coup within the Eagle Forum organization she founded 44 years ago.

The Trump-Cruz war is spreading fast like an internecine virus that has the potential to create a 2016 political zombie apocalypse.

Sound awful?

It was just a few weeks ago I was fantasizing about the possibility of a massive Republican landslide in November. Now, it's beginning to look like civil war within the party will hand Hillary Clinton a victory she could never win on her merits, her accomplishments or her ability as a campaigner.

It's with all this in mind that I actually had a Rodney King moment, musing with the question, "Can't we all just get along?"

Meanwhile, it seems the Trumpsters and the Cruzers are thinking more like Rodney Dangerfield: "I don't get no respect."

I don't have any illusions that Republicans are all going to sit down around the campfire after the convention, hold hands and sing "Kumbaya" after the convention. That's not realistic. It wouldn't be in a normal presidential election year - and this one is anything but normal. The venom is far more toxic than usual.

The question both Trump and Cruz, along with their most ardent supporters, should ask themselves right now is: What good will the nomination of the Republican Party be if the result is electoral disaster in November?

Is it helpful and productive to win the battle and lose the war?

How will we live with ourselves if we literally hand Hillary Clinton the presidency so she can have her way with us for four years?

Is there anyone within the Republican-conservative universe who is attempting to heal the rift, bring about reconciliation, find common ground and unite for victory?

I understand the passion people feel. But it is misdirected passion if it inevitably spells victory for the real enemy.

We are very close to reaching the point of no return in this election cycle if it is to change the course of the nation in 2017.

Let me leave you with these closing thoughts:

—Trump is not the enemy: His rise to political juggernaut is symptomatic of the seeds of division, anger and chaos planted by Obama over the last seven years. While his own temperament and maturity leave something to de desired, he has successfully infused fresh energy into the political landscape in 2016. Give him and his followers credit where credit is due.

—Cruz is not the enemy: He's every bit the challenger to the establishment that Trump represents. He's being demonized unfairly. This is the guy that stood up against the entire Washington establishment inside the Senate. If Trump were not in the race, would his detractors be smearing him the way they are now?

—Hillary and the Democrats are the enemy: We won't have to worry about ISIS if they are empowered again amid division in the camp. Hillary represents a much bigger existential national security threat. That I hear even some Republicans say they would prefer her to Trump or Cruz is disgusting, reprehensible, mind-boggling, sickening beyond words.

Let's get our act together, people!

To find out more about Joseph Farah and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

Photo credit: Ted Eytan