A Plea to Folks Who Voted for Trump in 2016

 

 I wrote the following four years ago, just after the 2016 election:

I don't usually feel a need to write. I do feel a need to run. While I run, I can think better than any other time. My ideas come together and my words are focused. I hope I can get down the thoughts from today's run. It is important for me to try to explain the state of me and many close to me after the events of 11/9.

My Sam texted me on election day morning, “I wonder if today feels like 1934 Germany at all.” I told Rick, who replied, without hesitation, “Not at all since Trump isn't going to win.” The next day, when I woke up knowing that Trump had indeed won, I felt very much the same as I did after the horrific tragedy of 9/11.

I know that offends some people. I know thousands died. I cried along with the country. The United States of America had been attacked on its own soil by terrorists. Our nation mourned together and rallied together. But my reaction is not merely about the loss by my candidate. I've voted for the loser plenty of other times and would never say it was a tragedy or evoked a visceral reaction.

I see this as the potential for the loss of our democracy. And it won't be at the hand of a foreign invader or terrorists, but handed over by its own people, good, patriotic people (and this is not said in a sarcastic tone at all; I have friends I love, and know to be good people, who voted for Trump) along with the “deplorables”, the KKK and other hate groups. Trump has many of the characteristics of the other authoritarians that rose to power by pandering to fears, real and imagined. He is a narcissistic, bully that cannot tolerate criticism.

I have to hope that the US government's checks and balances are strong enough to prevent it, that the members of Congress, including the Republicans, have enough (balls)* strength and integrity to protect our way of life. That the rights of everyone will be protected. Putin likes Trump and cheered on his election. This should give a clue that Trump is not good for the democratic way of life. Putin would love nothing more than to see our country in ruins, for the west to fall. There is nothing worse than I can imagine. The violence and intolerance that would have to go along with the fall, beyond my comprehension.

If the worst does not occur, I still foresee a period of unrest and injustice. I cannot respect a man that respects no one else, one that disrespects many. We hear all the time that we have become too concerned with political correctness. I have said it. We can’t use the term Freshmen; it’s First Years. Really?! It is the huMAN race. OK, well, so what? If we have to be careful, that’s not so hard. It’s easy to think everyone else is being overly sensitive when you have never been in their shoes. Someone I respect shared a link that explains why microaggressions become so intolerable. Being understanding, being respectful, being kind to others is a good thing. Civility.

But this isn’t just about microaggressions or political correctness. I fear people of color are going to be fair game to racists. LGBT people will be fair game to haters. Wow, this is the lesser of the evils I fear. Scary.

I so so hope to be proven wrong. I love my country and our democracy. I believe in the rights of all people to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It may be the only time I will enjoy being wrong.

*I will no longer use the term “balls” to represent having strength, courage, guts, or bravery. Words matter. I will not link male genitalia to strength. And pussy means the opposite. Really? Really?? Some of the strongest, bravest people I know are women. Balls have absolutely nothing to do with it. Have pussy, hear me roar.

This isn't going to be an I-told-you-so post. This is going to be a plea to anyone who might have been one of the good people who voted for Trump, hoping to drain the swamp, try a business man as a president, or just sticking with your party. Please, don't feel bad about your vote or try to justify it. It is done. Please suspend any of the very human tendency to try to rationalize. Like the Simon and Garfunkel lyric says, normally “a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest”. That isn't what we need now. Look around. Look hard. Listen. Really, really listen.

Do you think Trump is an honorable man with the country's interests at heart? Do you think Trump has any qualms about lying to the public or anyone? Do you think Trump should undermine the credibility of our top infectious disease specialists during a time of a pandemic? Do you think Trump respects anyone? Do you think the president of the United States should have any hesitation denouncing a conspiracy-theory terrorist group? Do you think Trump is really a Christian?

Have you heard Trump apologize for anything? Have you ever heard Trump take responsibility for anything that he didn't deem the greatest or biggest? Have you heard Trump express any regrets for anything he has done? Ever? Has he ever behaved in a way that would make you hold him up as a shining example for your child to emulate?

If you always vote Republican, do you think Trump represents real Republican values? Do you think he has a deep understanding of the Republican party? If you are deeply religious, do you think Trump exemplifies any of your religious values and virtues? The three-time married, pussy-grabbing, liar, cheater, and bully does not exhibit anything I can recognize except, maybe, an example of most of the deadly sins.

Please, if you cannot vote for Biden, leave it blank or write someone in.