In a certain way, Donald J. Trump is the most honest American politician of today. As he reaffirmed for the umpteenth time in the Trump/Harris debate, he recognizes only his own voice as the standard of veracity. You might recall that the Communist Party of the USSR did much the same - and ironically named their news service Pravda (ie "truth") - possibly inspiring the name Trump gave to his social network. You either play along with this alternative reality or you don’t ( in which case there may be consequences). So of course Trump can never acknowledge that he lost in 2020. That would abandon the entire game - and in a flash, all the super-patriots would be unmasked as an assortment of delusional fools, ultra-cynics, grifters, haters, wealthy opportunists - or maybe just those who want to be entertained (which might actually be MAGA's majority).
So many ways to be deplorable. And what a sad revelation - especially for a Republican Party now purged of its honorable leaders. Even worse for so many organizations who claim to proselytize the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God.
Likewise, we have this astonishing quote last week from his running mate, Ohio senator Vance:
"If I have to create stories so that the American media actually pays attention to the suffering of the American people, then that’s what I’m going to do, Dana, because you guys are completely letting Kamala Harris coast.”
Wow!
Not that such fabrication is unusual. Dishonest advertising drives much of the world's modern economy. But for promoters to be so candid about lying while they’re doing it - yes, that is remarkable.
Whatever the results of this election, it’s hard to imagine what American politics will be like afterwards.
BTW - I really like
Joe Klein's take on this election
as well as David Brooks. They also address the giganormous question: why will almost half the population vote for this destructive reprobate? Klein attributes it to the attraction of his candor - in contrast to the highly polished, highly coached presentations of all other candidates. Brooks attributes it to the culture war between universities and everyone else. Above, I attribute it to the lure of entertainment. It’s as if maximum entertainment was somehow mandated by the Bill of Rights.
Yes but —— for whatever reason, 50% of all adult Americans who care enough to vote, want to put a feeble minded, self centered, malevolent, angry fool into the drivers seat of the national school bus. This is a cultural/spiritual moment of reckless self destruction.
BTW II : I’m really not sure that aggressively deporting illegal immigrants and cranking up tariffs are such terrible ideas. Nor do I think USA should continue to carry water for Israel’s reactionary government. If Gazan Arabs are dangerous criminals who need to locked behind a fence, that government failed to contain them. If they are a native ethnic minority who needs protection, , the gov’t fails to give it.
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Regarding Kamala Harris : tough, smart, cheerful, practical, ambitious. Not really a dreamer or great orator like Obama. Not really experienced in advancing legislation like Biden. But then - also not toxically self-centered like Bill Clinton.
As POTUS, she may indeed turn out to be as ineffective and frustrating as all the quarterbacks for the Chicago Bears have been over the past fifty years.
But I am rock-solid certain that if she loses re-election in 2028, she will definitely not ask Tim Walz to de-certify the ballot count as she incites a riot on Capitol Hill.
So now you might well call me a yellow dog Democrat - at least for this cycle.
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No social programs are really at stake this time. Obamacare is a done deal and we won’t see universal Medicare coming up in the next four years. Eventually corporations and wealthy individuals will have to be taxed at much higher rates - but that is not a pressing issue right now.
The pressing issue is whether one-man rule metastasizes from the Republican Party and overruns the entire judicial and legislative branches of American government - as it has in so many countries worldwide. It would have been unthinkable just eight years ago - but here we are at the brink with 48% of the voting public eager or at least willing to have it happen.
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Arguments to the contrary are neatly summarized here:
Saying this presidential election is the most important in our country’s history is an understatement. Will we choose free speech over censorship? Economic prosperity over economic ruin? Secure borders over open borders? Stability around the globe over war and chaos?
But they can be easily dismissed:
Free speech over censorship ? MAGA wants the right to communicate on privately owned platforms like Youtube, Facebook etc - but that's not the kind of "free speech" protected by the First Amendment ( and I think they know it. )
Prosperity over Ruin ? This is only an issue for people doing poorly financially. The American economy has recently been booming.
Secure borders over open borders ? The bi-partisan immigration bill would have been signed into law this year except for you know who.
Stability instead of war and chaos ? This is an interesting one. This must refer to the MAGA support for Russia. The author of this screed, however, a retired infantry officer, has been passionately and relentlessly rooting for Ukraine's heroic defense.
BTW - that author calls himself "Streiff" - and investigative journalism revealed that he worked public relations for the CDC until his cover was blown as its vehement opponent on the right-wing website "RedState". A very smart fellow - but …..
BTW - Abraham Lincoln's triumph in 1860 is the most important election in American history. Not surprising that MAGA folk would like to forget about that one.
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POSTSCRIPT
In hindsight, abortion rights activists helped push this election into a gender war and Team Trump was more than happy to follow. Let Trump be Trump = let men be men.
Another take on it all this comes from David Brooks. He essentializes it as class warfare: elites versus the great unwashed.
As a result of the election - there will likely be much harm to individuals as well as institutions - here and world wide - over next four years. (let’ s hope not!)
But no one is complaining it was unfair or that big money was a deciding factor. And since Trump won the popular vote - even America’s peculiar electoral college was not an issue.
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None of the other races are worth talking about - mostly because the Republican Party has so thoroughly befouled itself, none of its candidates deserve consideration - especially while Trump is at the top of the ballot.
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There are also three non-binding referendums:
*Should any candidate appearing on the Illinois ballot for federal, State, or local office be subject to civil penalties if the candidate interferes or attempts to interfere with an election worker's official duties?
