Who are We America? Both, And. Let Our Vote Reflect Our Choice.
Michele Carroll, president of Carrollco Marketing
Jon Meacham, respected historian called on today’s Morning Joe, for us to at least face who and where we are honestly. Yes, Trump’s rhetoric is increasingly authoritarian. He is indeed, as his top general Mark Milley has said, ‘fascist to the core.’ And his party is ‘sanitizing’ his remarks with ‘oh he didn’t say that,’ or ‘he didn’t mean it.’ Yes, he did. You’ve seen the clips. He’s saying his political opponents, specifically naming Adam Shiff, Nancy Pelosi should be ‘stopped.’ That they’re evil. That he will use law enforcement or if needed, the US military to ‘shut them down.’
Last week a Silicon Valley executive I greatly respect shared that a peer will vote for Trump ‘because he fears Trump will arrest him if he doesn’t.’ Fearful that the new president does mean what he is saying. That leading liberals will be rounded up. His deportation plan HAS expanded to include those legally here (in Springfield, OH). Confidence in our storied tradition of ‘secret ballot’ is even suspect.
And you – and maybe half the registered voters showing up in polls – support him. Why?
10 YEARS AGO – you might have considered his ‘truth to power’ tone refreshing. Questioning conventional wisdom. Calling out the media for shaming behavior that’s ‘only natural.’ Bringing a ‘business eye’ to government bureaucracy to drain the swamp, right? But, he didn’t. And now, the refreshing is utterly eclipsed by the immoral. Corrupt, hateful and dehumanizing. We need to recognize his authoritarian intent.
And then you can decide to choose it if that’s what you’re doing. I think he seeks re-election to avoid jail for his crimes. And dreams of joining Putin, Kim and Orban’s of the world to plunder and divide spoils.
His economic ideas (there is no ‘plan’) will inflate the US debt by more than $5T. Proposed tariffs equate to an average $3900/yr greater cost for each US consumer. His tax cuts privilege the top 1%. Benefit does not ‘trickle down.’ He’s declared bankruptcy six times. Six. He’s selling access to the White House. Offering cuts to environmental protections in exchange for donations. Investigations and indictments for accepting foreign (Russian) support, extreme weather, convictions in state court by juries of his peers, for financial fraud, and sexual assault he calls hoaxes. A toddler squeezing his eyes shut. And saying that what you see isn’t there. Like ‘Covid will just go away.’ We lost one million Americans to his mismanagement of the crisis.
We pay for his hubris. And your support.
He is an entertainer. I hear you say ‘at least he’s not boring.’ He appeals to the worst elements of human nature in his cruelty. Dehumanizes people and stokes fear and hate. Look deeply at why you’re calling that okay. What is the tradeoff for you?
It is not okay for me.
I see Kamala Harris’ steady, smart and cohesive plans for an Opportunity Economy as inspiring. Respectful of people. She understands the challenges faced by hard-working middle class folks raising families, caring for their elderly. She’s steady. Competent and stable.
In her financial plan, investments are covered by fair share taxes. Enforced on those making over $400,000. Her administration will restore women’s reproductive freedom. The simple right to choose that we WON when I was in High School and have relied upon for 50 years. She brings life experience that will guide progress to more perfect union AND she understands business, innovation, collaboration. And the promise of America.
Meacham pointed out that Kamala will not lead a violent mob to the capitol to overturn our free and fair election. If the US elects Donald Trump, we will know who we are. We say that we’re better than this. I am. I will proudly vote for a new way forward together. And hope to leave DJT’s threat of fascism behind. As we turn the page. To a future America that celebrates and supports our ‘yearning to breathe free.’ Away from fascism to democratic self-governance by the people. It won’t be easy. We have to engage! And we must.
People who value democracy must vote for Harris to keep it!
