So, I know that it has been a while since I posted anything. The main reason for this long delay is that I have had one topic that has just been permeating my thoughts… but I have been afraid to write about it. However, I am a firm believer in a famous quote of Edmund Burke: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” As such, I have decided to move forward, knowing full well that this post may offend and / or anger some people. I pray that those folks will take the time to read my whole post and will keep in mind the following:
- Everything I am including is based on the facts as I know them. While I will not be going into detail in this post (it would become very long) I have back-up information to support everything, and I am willing to share it upon request.
- I respect everyone’s opinions and I would ask that they respect mine. However, I do try to base my opinions on facts. If I am mistaken in the facts I would really appreciate being corrected. If I am correct in the facts, I would ask those that disagree with me to ask themselves what they are using as the basis for their opinions?
So, what’s the topic and why am I scared to write about it. Well, the topic is Donald Trump, and I am scared to write about him for several reasons.
- I have already lost friends over this topic. I have had friends ghost me because I was not willing to completely agree with the policies and behavior of Mr. Trump. In addition, God forgive me, there are friends of mine that I have chosen not to spend much time with because of their adamant support for Mr. Trump. This is very disheartening, and I don’t want to lose any more friends. I keep asking myself, what has changed? In the past, folks could agree to disagree on: the team you rooted for, your religious denomination, and your political philosophy (conservative, liberal, moderate, Democrat, Republican, etc.). However, the U.S. now seem to be in an era where you cannot disagree about politics without becoming the enemy.
- It may be silly, but I do fear reprisal for making my position clear. I have witnessed the virulence displayed by Mr. Trump, and some of his supporters, to those that disagree with them. You need go no further than Mr. Trump’s own social media to see the insults, character attacks and threats directed at those who challenge him. This mentality has extended to some of his supporters, and this does not go unnoticed. Please understand, I realize other individuals and groups may behave in a similar fashion; however, since this post is about Mr. Trump, I have to assume that I have to worry about him and his supporters.
- I am concerned that writing this won’t change anyone’s views on anything, except me. Bottom line, why should I bother to share my position if it won’t have any impact other than ticking some folks off at me?
OK, enough sidestepping and qualifying, here it is. I am scared to death of Mr. Trump. I am upset by the rise in hate and the unwillingness to compromise that I witness in our nation, and I believe that Mr. Trump is responsible for much of this. I believe that Mr. Trump is an enabler to sexists and racists. I am convinced that Mr. Trump is a threat to our Democracy and to global security. Finally, I am absolutely opposed to him being re-elected President and I dread what will happen to our nation and our world if he is re-elected. Here’s why I feel this way:
- Trump has been criminally indicted on 91 felony charges at the federal and state (New York and Georgia) level. The charges against him include falsifying business records, racketeering, conspiracy, election tampering, mishandling sensitive documents, conspiring to obstruct the government’s retrieval of documents, defrauding the government, disenfranchising voters, and corruptly obstructing an official proceeding. Many of these indictments occurred based on the decisions of grand juries (typically comprise of 24 citizens), not just a politically partisan act by a prosecuting attorney or the Justice Department. While I fully expect Mr. Trump to be exonerated on some charges, I cannot imagine that he will be exonerated on all these charges. We’ve all seen the boxes of classified government documents being stored on a stage and in a bathroom at Mara Lago. We’ve all heard the recordings from Mr. Trump’s conversations with the Georgia Secretary of State. We all got to watch what occurred on January 6th, starting with his speech to his supporters and culminating with an assault on the Capital. We witnessed the several hour delay before he took any action to defend the Capital or call upon his supporters to stop their assault.
- Recently, Mr. Trump has been actively trying to scuttle a bipartisan Congressional deal on border security reform, and aid to Ukraine and Israel. By all accounts this action is driven by his desire to use this as a campaign issue and blame President Biden for the border problems, and to take credit for resolving the border issue after he is elected. This position appears to be reinforced by the remarks made by numerous Republican Senators including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Republican Policy Committee chair Joni Ernst (R-IA), former Republican Presidential Nominee Mitt Romney (R-UT), James Lankford (R-OK) who has taken a leading role for the Republicans in the negotiation of this bill, and Lindsey Graham (S-SC) an ardent Trump supporter.
As a nation we have been unable to make any progress over border control since the 1990s (through both Democratic and Republican administrations), and we are suffering as a result. We need to take immediate steps to improve border security, even if they aren’t perfect.
Regarding Ukraine please keep in mind that it is the innocent victim of an unprovoked attack by Russia, and the result of this conflict is critically important to U.S. national security. Also, please realize that a large majority of any financial aid provided to Ukraine end up staying right here in the U.S. as they purchase U.S. weapons, equipment, and items for humanitarian needs (all this helps our economy and U.S. jobs).
- Trump recently called for “all willing states to send national guard soldiers to Texas to prevent the entry of illegals, and to remove them back across the border.” Mr. Trump’s action is in support of Texas Governor Abbott, who had the Texas National Guard seize control of Shelby Park and block Federal Border Control access to the area. Further, Governor Abbott used Texas forces to erect razor wire along the Rio Grande and around Shelby Park in Eagle Pass. This matter went to the Supreme Court, which ruled against Texas stating that the federal government, not states, have ultimate jurisdiction over border enforcement. Subsequently, Governor Abbott has defied the court’s decision and Mr. Trump, along with at least 10 Republican Governors, have supported his defiance.
This defiance of a Supreme Court decision is not how it works in our Democracy. If we disagree with a Supreme Court decision, we bring additional matters to their attention in the hope of getting the ruling we desire (like the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization that overturned Roe v. Wade); or Congress enact laws that override the Supreme Court (for example, if a federal law had been passed that banned or protected abortion rights). What seems even more surprising in this case is that Mr. Trump is relying upon the Supreme Court to rule in his favor regarding his right to be on the 2024 ballot and regarding the extent of Presidential immunity. How can we justify picking and choosing what Supreme Court decisions we accept?
- Recently, Mr. Trump has threatened individuals and groups considering donating to Nikki Haley’s campaign. Trump posted the following message on Truth Social: “Anybody that makes a ‘Contribution’ to Birdbrain (Haley), from this moment forth, will be permanently barred from the MAGA camp. We don’t want them, and will not accept them, because we Put America First, and ALWAYS WILL!” This just reinforces the “with us or against us” fear that I have. Bottom line, we must expect that anyone elected as President of the United States will represent all of us, whether we supported them during the campaign or not.
- Shortly before the New Hampshire primary, Sean Hannity asked Mr. Trump for his closing remarks to the people of New Hampshire. In response Mr. Trump focused almost exclusively on the need for the Supreme Court to rule in his favor regarding his name being allowed on ballots; and, about a President having full immunity from prosecution for actions taken while in office. As citizens we must expect candidates to be focused on the needs of the nation (and we have a lot of them). However, Mr. Trump appears to be focusing all of his attention on his needs. Has anyone seen any position papers regarding what he will do if reelected, other than go after his enemies?
- In mid-January Mr. Trump posted a video on Truth Social. Here is a transcript of the audio from that video: “On June 14th, 1946, God looked down on his planned paradise and said, ‘I need a caretaker’, so God gave us Trump. God said, ‘I need somebody willing to get up before dawn, fix this country, work all day, fight the Marxists, eat supper, then go to the oval office and stay past midnight at a meeting of the heads of state.’ So, God made Trump. ‘I need somebody with arms strong enough to wrestle the Deep State and yet gentle enough to deliver his own grandchild. Somebody to ruffle the feathers, tame cantankerous world economic forum, come home hungry, have to wait until the First Lady is done with lunch with friends, then tell the ladies to be sure and come back real soon, and mean it.’ So, God gave us Trump.”
NO! I refuse to accept that God preordained Mr. Trump to be the savior and protector of the United States. I don’t want to get into a religious debate, but someone is going to have to explain to me why God would take such an action in 1946, specifically for the U.S., while allowing so much evil and violence to occur throughout the world’s history. Further, I would need someone to explain to me why God would choose such a tarnished vessel to serve as his champion.
- In early January Mr. Trump declined to sign the Illinois Loyalty Oath. This is an optional document that the Illinois Board of Elections asks all candidates to consider / sign. Essentially, the oath promises not to take any actions which could result in the overthrow of the government. This sort of language is included in the Oath of Office for the President. How could anyone running for President be unwilling to sign the Illinois Loyalty Oath, but still take the President’s Oath of Office?
- On January 26th a jury determined that Mr. Trump should pay damages to E. Jean Carroll of $83.3 million for defaming her after she accused him in 2019 of raping her in the 1990’s. In an earlier case a jury had determined that Mr. Trump sexually abused her and awarded her $5 million. These were decisions made by juries which had been accepted by both the prosecution and the defense to hear these cases, and both were initiated before Mr. Biden took office. Further, in the latest case, information regarding the jury was kept strictly confidential and the judge encouraged jurors to keep their involvement secret to avoid retribution by Mr. Trump or his supporters.
In response to the rulings, Mr. Trump issued the following statement on Truth Social: “Absolutely ridiculous! I fully disagree with both verdicts and will be appealing this whole Biden Directed Witch Hunt focused on me and the Republican Party…” How is this a “Biden directed witch hunt”? How do these cases pertain to the “Republican Party”? Why should a jury have to fear retribution? Bottom line, Mr. Trump has been found guilty of sexual abuse and defamation by juries of his peers. Are these the character traits we want to see in the President of the United States?
Sadly, I could go on and on. I haven’t mentioned:
- Trump’s Christmas greeting where he provided a list of individuals and groups that he is opposed to and closed with the following: “…are looking to destroy our once great USA. MAY THEY ROT IN HELL. AGAIN, MERRY CHRISTMAS.”
- After a school shooter in Iowa killed a sixth grader and wounded five others Mr. Trump said, “It’s horrible… but we have to get over it.”
- Trump’s efforts during the 2020 campaign to extort Ukraine into providing dirt on Joe Biden.
- Trump collecting millions from foreign entities, while President, for hotel rooms and services.
- Trump insulting Gold Star families (families that have experienced the loss of an immediate family member, who died as a result of active-duty military service).
- Trump referring to fallen soldiers as “suckers and losers”.
- Trump being impeached for inciting the January 6th insurrection. Note that seven Republican Senators did vote to convict him. Some other Republican Senators, who had not voted to convict, said that they did not believe that the Senate had jurisdiction to convict a president who was no longer in office, and that their vote was not “a judgment of Trump’s behavior”.
- …and so many more.
Bottom line, even if I am in error on some of these points, it should only takes a few of these actions / behaviors to be true before we question an individual’s qualifications to be President of the United States. May God guide us and protect us.
OK, I’ve said my piece and I think I have done what I could to oppose something I see as evil. Please correct me if I am wrong so that I can overcome this foreboding that I have over the possible future of our country. If you just don’t like and won’t accept what I have said, I pray that it won’t cause you to ghost me or hate me… I would truly miss you.
23 responses to “Evil Wins When We Do Nothing”
I thought about this a little more David and decided to take a shot at answering your question about how someone could support Trump. You already know I am not going to vote for him, but I am also not going to vote for Biden. And again, you and I are friends and I have many more friends who are much more left or liberal than you. Politics is not how I categorize friends. I do enjoy these conversations and always learn something. So why do people vote for Donald Trump in the face of everything you list?
1. First the media, the biggest culprit. No difference between Fox, CNN or MSNBC or talk radio. They are all for profit companies who make money on dividing people. They earn by “clicks”. The madder you get, the more you click. Trump doesn’t cause the hatred, he exploits it just like Biden does.
2. They believe the other guy is worse. Look no further than the recent events in NYC where two migrants attacked the police, were let out without bail and fingered the photographers as they were leaving. Some of them have already fled the state. If you are a Trump supporter these liberal policies are worse than anything he could do.
3. Once great cities like Portland, San Fran, Philidelphia, NYC and on and on are being devastated by decriminalizing criminal behavior. Who suffers for that. Not you or I. The biggest victims of defund the police are the same folks Dems profess to love. Black Americans trying to go to work, educate their kids and move forward. Hard to do when you are not safe.
4. Decline of public schools through low expectations and fear of legal repercussions.
5. Funding of the Ukraine while refusing to secure our border. I have no problem funding the Ukraine but hard to justify not defending our own border. The same loving Democratics you back are the same ones who welcomed undocumented immigrants as long as they stayed in Texas and Arizona. Now they squeal once it becomes their problem. No bigger hypocrisy than sanctuary cities. If you come by boat you have to do it legally. If you come on foot from the South you don’t. Who on earth does that make sense to.
6. Some of Trumps legal issues are legit like January 6th. but the inflation of assets is pure politics. Every construction guy in America does that. He is the first to be tried. Meanwhile Biden allows and abets his son to take dirty money from foreign governments. (and only a fool would believe that a man with 50 years in politics and foreign affairs didn’t know what was going on and didn’t know what he was doing by saying “hello” to Hunter’s contacts).
7. People are losing faith in our institutions. That is what you should be afraid of.
8. Trump gets fined $83 million while the Biden accuser gets laughed at by the media.
9. It is okay to throw bricks through Federal buildings if you’re a “left leaning” protestor. Not excusing the Jan 6th. participants. They were idiots.
etc, etc, etc. You get the picture.
The mistake you made with this subject is you started out by accusing Trump supporters of being evil in the title. Not the way to start a “dialogue”. I am giving you grief on purpose here as I love debate. You know I like you. I tried to put myself in the shoes of those Trump supporters. I am not a Trump supporter. Not a Biden supporter. Go Nikki.
More importantly vote out the real problems on both sides like Cori Bush, Ilhan Omar, Marjorie Greene, Lauren Boebert, Matt Gatez, AOC, Pressley, Tlaib, etc. Those people should scare you. How on earth out of 300 million people did we wind up with Trump and Biden? Simple, the Media and a two-party dominance funded by big donors and no term limits. I have been to Iraq twice, I have been in villages in Colombia decimated by the FARC, I have worked with Syrian war victims in Jordan. I have seen Evil. Human Trafficking is Evil, 70,000 Fentanyl deaths annually is Evil, Hamas is Evil.
Hi Mark!
So I certainly haven’t been ignoring you. I have been struggling to develop a reply that isn’t longer than my original piece. I do want to discuss this with you more, but I think it is time for us to have another phone call where we can debate / discuss to our hearts content.
There are a few things that I did want to include in a reply through the blog:
– First and foremost, I really hope that folks don’t think I was suggesting that Trump supporters are evil. That was absolutely not my intent. My fear is that Trump may be evil, and God help us if that is true and he is re-elected as our President.
I actually admire many Trump supporters for their dedication to their ideals and to that which they believe to be true. In addition, I know that many of them are completely dedicated to specific policies that they believe will make / keep America great. My wish is that they would find someone else to lead the charge that would focus on the needs of the nation, and all its citizens.
– I do agree with your examples of problems that exist in our society (media, lack of effective immigration policies, decline in some major cities, decline in public schools, the border, etc.). However, I believe that all sides have contributed to the problems and it is only through working together (like the newly proposed, bipartisan Senate bill on border security) that we have a chance at resolving them. We have to quit playing politics and take actions to help the country rather than base every decision on how it will impact my party / candidate in the next election.
– I also completely agree with your point that “people are losing faith in our institutions. That is what you should be afraid of.” Amen! Once again, I blame all sides for contributing to this and it will require all sides to try and fix it.
However, all this being said, I cannot overcome my singular fear of Mr. Trump. The problem of tarnished, corrupt politicians has existed since man rose out of the muck and decided to create societies and organize them under a government. Diogenes, the Greek philosopher, use to wander through the streets carrying a lantern searching for an honest man.
However, there must be some line which even a politician cannot cross, and I believe that the Founding Fathers included it in the Constitutions and in subsequent amendments. There must be three equal branches of government that have checks and balances on one another. We must respect the peaceful transfer of power. We must respect the rule of law. We cannot weaponize portions of our government for personal gain or to the detriment of our critics / our society. We cannot allow anyone who is unwilling to take the oath of office, or honor that oath, to hold any position in our government. We cannot allow anyone who would knowingly encourage and / or support insurrection to hold office.
Two final thoughts, you have given me several ideas for new blogs (like the problem with the configuration of our Congress and the problems with primaries). Finally, I didn’t realize that you’d spent time in Iraq, Columbia and Jordan. I’d really like to talk with you about them.
No errant thinking here Dave. Spot on!
Thanks! ☘️
Thanks Tom!
Definitely agree with some of your thoughts. I can’t get past Trump’s negative attitude towards the military and men like John McCain let alone some of the other stuff. Will not vote for him but also will not vote for Biden. The only solution for normalcy is to vote Nikki Haley in as the GOP candidate. She probably will not win, but that is where my vote is going. If it is down to Biden or Trump I will for the first time, sit it out.
Other than that, these discussions really are not very meaningful as they are typically one sided. Better to debate specific issues. The approval rate for Congress is even lower than either candidate and the two parties really do not represent the middle of America politically. It would not be much of a challenge to write a similar slant about the Democrats but really no value in it.
Better to put down thoughts and have debate on specific issues. Is it okay to have 3 million people come across the border annually. Is the decay of our cities okay? Do deficits matter? What does victory look like in the Ukraine. Are we prepared to fund it indefinitely? Can anything resolve the Middle East situation? Should Congress decide the Abortion issue or should the people (specifically women). Should college loans be forgiven? Should we continue to live with 70,000 Fentanyl deaths a year? What role does the for-profit media play in the angst of America? Is a bigger Federal government the answer or a smaller Federal government? Is there any accountability in D.C on either party?
Those are more fun discussions. Not sure I would brag about being a republican or a democrat right now or if I hate Trump or Biden more. Somehow we will survive either one, but it won’t be painless.
Mark, I always appreciate you reading my blog and for your thoughtful, thought provoking replies. As you and I know, we will not always agree on these matters, but the fact that we can talk about them without getting angry with one another is something I cherish. There are some things in your reply that I completely agree with. What our government ought to be focus on, working on, includes your list, e.g. border security, urban decay, Ukraine, etc. Instead it seems that our political parties and our government have devolved into a couple of school house gangs and their only goal is to mess with / bring down the other one.
There is one area where we disagree a bit. Bottom line, if Mr. Trump is on the ballot in the general election, those that oppose him being re-elected have to vote. His base is going to turn out because of their absolute, unshakable conviction. Any non-vote or vote for a third party is a vote for Trump and I really fear for our nation, and our world, if he were re-elected.
Take care my friend!
👍👍
Dave,
I am a Trump supporter. I’ve known for years that you are not, but I have never ghosted you, and I have no intention of ghosting you even though it is obvious we will never agree on this topic. Think of me what you will, but I intend to vote for Trump again in 2024, as I did in 2016 and 2020. You and I have vey different perspectives on what has been happening in the country over the past few decades and especially the past 8 years, but I will always consider you a friend. I also respect your right to formulate your own opinions and express them as you see fit, just as I encouraged all of my students over the past dozen years to make up their own minds and to vote for the candidate they chose to support, full well knowing that in the academic world that was most likely to be a vote for the democratic party. That’s how it’s supposed to work. You vote for your candidate, and I vote for mine. My support for Trump probably doesn’t come as a surprise to you since I shared the link to the “2000 Mules” documentary here months ago (Did you watch it?), but I thought it appropriate for me to state it directly to you as you have stated your opinions in this post. Can we agree to disagree? I certainly hope so. JB
Jeff, thank you so much for your reply. You may be the person that I have been searching for. I have yearned to find a Trump supporter that I could just talk to without fear of anger, hatred or loss of a friend. I desperately want to understand what draws you to Mr. Trump. Could we set up a time to talk privately where we could discuss this a friends?
Dave
Dave, I gave up trying to have those discussions at least three years ago, or maybe four? They’ve never been fruitful, and I eventually grew weary of it. So no, I’m not interested in trying to revisit it. At this point I think most people are simply fully entrenched in their beliefs one way or the other.
Case in point, here’s a clip of the full 17 minute press conference Trump did a few days after the clash in Charlottesville and the death of Heather Heyer Trump haters watch it and say it proves that Trump is a racist who believes Nazis and KKK members are good people. Trump supporters watch it and say it proves the exact opposite.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKLKImE5UII
When we all see and hear the same thing yet come to completely different conclusions about what it means, there will never be a meeting of the minds. At this point it is what it is, and I’m much happier simply going my own way and letting others go theirs.
You and I though have known each other for going on almost 50 years, crazy, isn’t it? I respect your right to have and express your own opinions. There will be no ghosting from my end.
JB
I understand and I certainly respect your opinion. If you ever change your mind and want to chat I’m open and would welcome the opportunity to recognize facts and factors that I’m missing.
Your bud,
Dave
Btw, I voted for Obama for his first term, but not his second. I had seen enough. JB
Thank you, Dave, for a thoroughly researched and well reported article. For me all of this chaos underscores a fundamental question: how did people across the country come to believe in 2016 that this man had any leadership capabilities? Did Main Street America learn about Trump from the Apprentice? Did People really believe that the Apprentice had anything to do with real business? Anyone who lived in NY in the 1980’/1990s knew that Trump was an egotistical, immoral, fraud. The Wall Street Journal editorial board has long recognized this and only tolerated him during his term because he was the President. Now the WSJ is doing everything they can advocate for Ms. Haley. Please see the WSJ’s January 21st editorial below:
“The polls show Americans want to move on from President Biden, and Republicans have a choice to make about the alternative to offer voters in November. Will it be the prospect of a second Donald Trump term, with its inevitable turmoil and polarization, or will the GOP look forward to forge a new conservative governing coalition?
The election risks are sitting in plain sight. Mr. Trump faces 91 felony charges in four different indictments. You can think the indictments are politically motivated and an awful precedent, as these columns have argued. But they exist, and amid the legal battling a jury could convict Mr. Trump by the summer.
Then what? Mr. Trump would never withdraw. But no fewer than 31% of Iowa caucus voters said in the entrance poll that a conviction would make Mr. Trump unfit for the White House. That would mean Mr. Trump can’t win. GOP voters would have played into Democratic and media hands.
If Mr. Trump does somehow win, Democrats predict a second Trump term will end in dictatorship. But that undersells the resilience of American institutions, which have held up so far against the stress test of Mr. Trump and his enemies, including the riot of Jan. 6, 2021. Congress responded quickly and ratified the Electoral College votes. The plotters were a rump group opposed across the government. There was nothing close to a coup d’état.
The better question in our view is whether Mr. Trump can deliver the policy and political victories that GOP voters want. There are many reasons to think he can’t.
Start with the fact that Mr. Trump would be an immediate lame duck. He can’t serve more than one more term, and if he does win it will be narrowly with little political capital. He has never reached an approval rating above 50%, and his rolling seven-week RealClearPolitics average favorability is 41.5%. If there’s a strong third-party ticket, he might win with the smallest plurality since 1912. Mr. Trump would lack the most potent presidential power—the ability to persuade.
Republicans are favored to win a Senate majority, albeit narrowly. But the House is up for grabs and could easily go Democratic. If the first term is a guide, Democrats will oppose anything Mr. Trump proposes that isn’t one of their priorities. Mr. Trump could use executive power to repeal Mr. Biden’s regulations and appoint judges. He could approve drilling for domestic energy in particular. But if Democrats control either house of Congress, conservative legislative priorities would be dead on arrival.
Trump supporters say his first term was successful until the midterms and Covid, and it was on the economy, deregulation and judges. But tax reform was teed up for him by years of spade work in the House GOP. The Federalist Society gave him a list of judges to nominate and Mitch McConnell moved them through the Senate. A GOP Senate could still confirm judges, but the current Republican House can’t pass a budget, much less come up with a governing agenda for 2025.
One reason is the intellectual confusion of the Trump-era GOP. There’s nothing like the unified agenda that Ronald Reagan carried into office after 1980, or even Mr. Trump after 2016. Republicans favor lower taxes, but Mr. Trump wants to raise the price of every import with a 10% border tax. They want to reduce the national debt but he won’t touch entitlements. They favor “peace through strength” but won’t seriously increase defense spending. The MAGA GOP has no desire to limit government but wants to use it for its own political purposes.
Mr. Trump says he now knows from hard experience how to manage the executive branch, but his governing style is undisciplined to say the least. The internal opposition will still be implacable, the leaks unending, the press relentlessly hostile. This is another reason the Trump-as-Hitler fears are implausible.
It also isn’t clear Mr. Trump could attract first-rate advisers. The lure of power is strong, but anyone who takes a job had better have a lawyer on retainer. No conservative who wants a career in the law is likely to accept a job in the White House or Justice—not after what Mr. Trump asked his lawyers to do after the 2020.
Looking ahead, a second Trump term would surely mean a Republican wipeout in the 2026 midterms. The Senate map that year tilts strongly Democratic. There would be no more Supreme Court confirmations. If the GOP takes another MAGA turn in 2028, the stage would be set for Democrats to run the election table, break the Senate filibuster, and pack the Court.
The failing Biden Presidency obscures all of this for millions of GOP voters, who see a Trump victory as a return to better, pre-Covid times. This misses that Mr. Biden’s failure presents the GOP with an historic opportunity. The President hasn’t fulfilled his promise of a return to normalcy and instead has delivered more polarization. Bidenomics hasn’t lifted real incomes, while the world is more dangerous than at any time since the 1930s.
But a Trump victory will bring no return to normalcy, nor the “unity” he sometimes mentions before he denounces some other former ally. A different GOP nominee would shake up political categories, win independents, and offer a better chance at a conservative restoration.
If Republicans nominate Mr. Trump again, that’s democracy—the worst system except for all the others. But our unhappy guess is that, sooner or later, the choice will end in tears for his voters.”
Thanks Steve and thanks for sharing the WSJ editorial!
Dave
Dave, I share your deep concern for the country. I still cannot understand how we got here. For a long time, I have been trying to convince myself that, surely, “this time” those who were elected to serve the country – I wonder if those words can even be used anymore – would be done with him even when his die hard supporters seem to be unflappable. I continued to think that the next vile thing he said or did would be the straw and that those elected to serve would put country first. Then, I thought surely that the threat of the end of democracy would put an end to this weird, frightening grip that this person has on all if these grown human beings. I have become completely cynical and I am more than a little freaked out. I am convinced that the sycophants that so willingly bow down before him are not patriots and care nothing for their constituents, let alone the rest of the population. Facts don’t matter to them. Caring for the country, caring for people, building and supporting a strong, healthy, society is no where in their radar. They care only for themselves and will stop at nothing to get what they want, even if it means tearing others down. Even if it means doing irreparable harm to the country. And I guess they are terrified of him. It makes one wonder….what hold has he on them?
I’m with you Dave.
Darla, thanks so much for taking the time to read my blog and for your heartfelt reply.
The one thing that I have come to believe is that the time of the “silent majority” must end. We are experiencing very loud, sometimes threating rhetoric at both ends of the political spectrum. We can no longer allow their voices to be the loudest.
Dave
Dave,
As always, you have put into words what so many of want to say, but are to afraid to say it. I have chosen to surround myself with educated people who are of like mind and I tend to not talk politics with some when I don’t know their beliefs or thoughts.
I don’t know where our country is going, but I pray that enough people vote for what many of us believe is the right.
Thank you again, my friend
Kent, thanks so much for reading my blog and for your response. As you might see in my reply to others, it is time for the silent majority to find its voice.
Dave
Dave,
Your piece is spot on and reflects what so many of us are thinking. The problem, of course, is that for some amazing reason 40-50 million people will vote for him. How they do so is beyond me and defies any kind of logic. Donald Trump is an evil, egocentric, narcissist if ever there was one. He proved all of this during (and before, for that matter) his first term, and we sure as hell don’t need more proof.
I am a great one, as you know, for saying “you can’t fix stupid”. But it boggles the mind to think that 40-50 million Americans are stupid. There is something else going on here, but I’m damned if I can figure it out.
We will likely once again have to choose the lesser of 2 evils. Mr. Biden may not be much but he is clearly less evil than Mr. Trump.
Dan
You are 100%right on all counts! I try to avoid political commentary on my Facebook for the exact reasons you cited. I don’t want to attract the vitriol that seems to go along with it. We have had a guest pastor the past few Sundays. Two things she left with us: There is no hate like Christian love, & to be silent in the face of evil is to provide a conduit for it. Keep up the good work!
Thanks Cathy! Don’t be surprised if I use the phrase “to be silent in the face of evil is to provide a conduit for it” in future ramblings!
Dave
Well said all the way through.
I just consider him a bully who threatens people to get his way. “I don’t want him to turn on me so I will do what he says.”
Sad part is, he still may turn on “you”.
Thanks Mary!