It’s interesting to analyze how we got to the point of having a dictator and oligarchy in the USA. Donald J. Trump is simultaneously exhibiting authoritarian attributes, and mental instability or possibly age-related mental degeneration. This combined with his crimes against women, underhanded business dealings and a support base of paranoid, racist followers, has created a very dangerous dynamic.
But it wasn’t more than just a few years ago, I lost liberal friends because I would not be as liberal as they demanded me to be. I still supported law enforcement during the George Floyd trauma, though it was tragic that Floyd was killed and some rookie officers were politically sacrificed in the process. I was completely in favor of any form of domestic partnerships having the same rights as marriage—but against calling it “marriage,” when same-sex. Because I knew, many people would be alienated on the more conservative side. Said liberal friends, utilized “cancel culture,” and cited my lack of intelligence for not meeting them on the far left. The friendships, beers and past conversations were left to die over degrees of politics. Even if, often, we were in agreement. One coworker was furious with me because although we were supporting the same candidate, I did not like her as much as he did.
So, I can truly understand how that certain group of people saw diversity initiatives as a threat to fair hiring. Afterall, Joe Biden promised to appoint only a black woman to the supreme court. And then he did it. This was not choosing for merit. It was a choice based on sex and race—which was somehow supposed to correct past wrongs. Two wrongs, don’t make a right. Also, as we look in disgust at the books being banned by conservatives in the attempts to squash diversity equity and inclusion, we should remember that liberals were involved in book bans for classics such as “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” due to concerns about racial insensitivity. The tendency of judging the past via “presentism,” is also sometimes problematic.
Ultimately, the backlash for this unchecked liberalism came in the form of Trump. He promised to right these wrongs. But instead, he has lied about everything. He is supported by racist, opportunistic hypocrites. And now, we are at risk of losing our democracy. The meanness, and blatant disregard for personal freedoms and fair opportunity is appalling. Everything is for sale to the highest bidder. Trump is alienating our closest allies and has our economy teetering on the edge of disaster.
So, liberal friends, we are on the same side. And to my conservative friends, what’s it going to take for you to realize the monster you’ve released on democracy? The firing of those with opposing viewpoints, the defying of court judgements, the fact that a convicted felon is running the country backward at least 150 years… You’ve been had.
Is the economy better? Have prices gone down? What made you vote the man who caused an insurrection because he lost the previous election—back into the White House? Has any of that gotten better? How is laying off government workers and imposing tariffs that stop trade and raise prices helping the economy? We’ve seen a lot of questionable actions by Trump, Musk, DOGE—and potential conflicts of interest in what is cut and who benefits. Human beings have been arrested and deported to foreign prisons by mistake! When is it going to be enough?
So, aside from that group that still thinks Trump has their personal best interest in mind, the majority of people should be moving onto the “same side.” The question is, can you compromise with others, or do you have to insist that everyone believes exactly the same things that you believe? Because it’s okay to disagree. That is where our most valuable ideas emerge—in that middle area.
What I believe is that Donald Trump and all of the people who are supporting his attempt to become the first king of the USA, need to be removed from office and all positions that give them power over anyone. Trump is a mistake. He is not mentally stable. This is bigger than your desire to have things your own way with no compromise. This is about someone telling you he’s making America great, while he is actually destroying the foundations of our democratic government. If you couldn’t see it before, can you see it now? Race is not the problem. Our differences are not a bad thing. Billionaires buying elections and handing out million dollar checks to gain power, is the actual problem. And we need to deal with it before it devours us.
KJC_20250424
But it wasn’t more than just a few years ago, I lost liberal friends because I would not be as liberal as they demanded me to be. I still supported law enforcement during the George Floyd trauma, though it was tragic that Floyd was killed and some rookie officers were politically sacrificed in the process. I was completely in favor of any form of domestic partnerships having the same rights as marriage—but against calling it “marriage,” when same-sex. Because I knew, many people would be alienated on the more conservative side. Said liberal friends, utilized “cancel culture,” and cited my lack of intelligence for not meeting them on the far left. The friendships, beers and past conversations were left to die over degrees of politics. Even if, often, we were in agreement. One coworker was furious with me because although we were supporting the same candidate, I did not like her as much as he did.
So, I can truly understand how that certain group of people saw diversity initiatives as a threat to fair hiring. Afterall, Joe Biden promised to appoint only a black woman to the supreme court. And then he did it. This was not choosing for merit. It was a choice based on sex and race—which was somehow supposed to correct past wrongs. Two wrongs, don’t make a right. Also, as we look in disgust at the books being banned by conservatives in the attempts to squash diversity equity and inclusion, we should remember that liberals were involved in book bans for classics such as “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” due to concerns about racial insensitivity. The tendency of judging the past via “presentism,” is also sometimes problematic.
Ultimately, the backlash for this unchecked liberalism came in the form of Trump. He promised to right these wrongs. But instead, he has lied about everything. He is supported by racist, opportunistic hypocrites. And now, we are at risk of losing our democracy. The meanness, and blatant disregard for personal freedoms and fair opportunity is appalling. Everything is for sale to the highest bidder. Trump is alienating our closest allies and has our economy teetering on the edge of disaster.
So, liberal friends, we are on the same side. And to my conservative friends, what’s it going to take for you to realize the monster you’ve released on democracy? The firing of those with opposing viewpoints, the defying of court judgements, the fact that a convicted felon is running the country backward at least 150 years… You’ve been had.
Is the economy better? Have prices gone down? What made you vote the man who caused an insurrection because he lost the previous election—back into the White House? Has any of that gotten better? How is laying off government workers and imposing tariffs that stop trade and raise prices helping the economy? We’ve seen a lot of questionable actions by Trump, Musk, DOGE—and potential conflicts of interest in what is cut and who benefits. Human beings have been arrested and deported to foreign prisons by mistake! When is it going to be enough?
So, aside from that group that still thinks Trump has their personal best interest in mind, the majority of people should be moving onto the “same side.” The question is, can you compromise with others, or do you have to insist that everyone believes exactly the same things that you believe? Because it’s okay to disagree. That is where our most valuable ideas emerge—in that middle area.
What I believe is that Donald Trump and all of the people who are supporting his attempt to become the first king of the USA, need to be removed from office and all positions that give them power over anyone. Trump is a mistake. He is not mentally stable. This is bigger than your desire to have things your own way with no compromise. This is about someone telling you he’s making America great, while he is actually destroying the foundations of our democratic government. If you couldn’t see it before, can you see it now? Race is not the problem. Our differences are not a bad thing. Billionaires buying elections and handing out million dollar checks to gain power, is the actual problem. And we need to deal with it before it devours us.
KJC_20250424
Comments