Kristen and I got out and voted today. I feel fine about it. Not like I’ve accomplished anything great, but neither like I’ve abandoned my vote to nihilism. I try not to #robrant about politics TOO much, but I will put forth these thoughts:
Leadership matters. Maybe you don’t get to vote for a perfect candidate who reflects your every issue, but even on its most basic level – showing who “can” be a president – it matters. We already know rich white men can be president. We’re at a dramatically gridlocked period in politics, so most policy promises are going to get undermined or watered down. So, if the only thing that can come out of this election is to show the young Americans of today that a black woman CAN be president of the United States, I’d argue that that’s a good thing. I won’t entertain the argument that that’s a bad thing.
Leadership matters. Not just WHO is leading and what they look like, but how they purport themselves. Maybe you haven’t listened to actual full speeches of the candidates, but Trump is insulting, rambling, encouraging of our basest selves. There are many who feel that this at LEAST makes him “real” or “genuine”, but politics isn’t about being “real” or “genuine” – It’s about putting on a good suit, playing the game, and representing our nation. It’s not ABOUT who you want to have a beer with or who you think would be fun to hang out with. For those of you who say “oh, he doesn’t MEAN ‘jail all his political opponents’”, he doesn’t MEAN ‘I wish I had generals like Hitler’”… the Oval Office (and it’s social media outlets) aren’t the place for jokes or being misconstrued or lack of clarity. You joke one way with your friends, you joke a different way with your parents. I don’t want that attitude from an authority figure. You can be HIIIIIlarious and be a tv personality. This is NOT what I think is appropriate in a president.
Leadership matters. I’m not going to dive into platitudes, promises or specific policies. They’re both politicians at this point. Trump’s got 4 years of being the president under his belt to show what he did or did not accomplish. Harris has been a senator for 4 years to show what she did or did not accomplish. Those who claim her 4 years of being vice-president is equivalent to being at the top of the ticket of the previous administration don’t understand the job. They’ve both shown that they accomplish some things, go back on some promises, and make up excuses for changing positions. I personally believe Trump’s record for out-and-out flagrant falsehood is far and beyond what any other public figure has ever spewed, but again – this isn’t about policies and promises…
Scratch that – here’s two things about position and policy.
First. January 6th and the Big Lie. Claiming he won the election. STILL claiming he won the 2020 election after four years of failed lawsuits and investigations. Fanning those flames until a horde of angry Americans are so enraged that they storm the Capital. Sitting back as if your hands are tied on the subject. That’s not leadership. That’s self-serving and vile. I DO get the impression that a good number of Jan 6ers got kinda swept up in events – more like a frat party that got out of control with a couple of bad actors involved than an organized assault. You know – it’s all fun in games till the cops get called – and then someone’s gonna do something REALLY stupid.
All the more reason you need a leader in the Oval Office, not someone giving mixed signals and claiming to just be joking about white supremacy and stopping the steal.
Second. Repealing the ACA. “Obamacare” isn’t perfect, but it’s better than what we had. I’d LOVE to hear some options for “repeal and replace” because we ABSOLUTELY deserve better healthcare in America. I was being steadily priced out of the insurance market and was within months of having to cancel my health insurance when the ACA was passed and gave me hope, and eventually also provided me with affordable health insurance. Trump continues to claim he’s going to replace it with something bigger and better and he’s claimed this since 2015. That’s not leadership, that’s salesmanship. And poor salesmanship to boot.
I don’t expect to change minds. Hell, I don’t expect anyone’s read this far. But if you have, and you were thinking of not voting, or voting for Trump, if you want to chat about it – reach out. We can talk about it.
301.910.2575.
Good luck to us all. If only “Maintain steady progress towards a better America for ALL through acknowledging success but also our failures and overcoming them together!” fit on a bumper sticker as good as “Make America Great Again”.