“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.”—Ronald Reagan.
The upcoming presidential election will test the American public’s commitment to freedom and our ability to discern truth from lies.
Former President Trump says that he—and only he—can fix the nation’s problems. Voters, please remember that he failed spectacularly in telling us the truth about COVID. He also promised to solve the border crisis, and promised we would have better and cheaper health care after he abolished the ACA (Obamacare). But like his promises on infrastructure, his policies were always ”coming soon” for four years.
Those very desirable outcomes never came, of course. He was “all talk.”
The poet Maya Angelou said, “When someone shows you who they are believe them; the first time.” In 2016, New Yorkers who had dealt with Trump stepped up to tell the nation that he did not pay his bills, put many smaller contractors out of business, and did not deliver on his promises, in other words that he lies (a lot), cheats, and cannot be trusted.
Trump showed us, through his actions as reported by those who knew him, who he was. We did not believe that first revelation.
Now, we know those warnings were valid. Trump even cheats on his golf score! His ego will not allow him to be the loser in any contest, no matter how private or public, no matter how large or small, no matter the damage to our beloved nation.
Now he is promising the same things he never delivered when we believed him the first time. He also says he will settle the Israeli/Gaza/Lebanon war even before he is inaugurated. We must not let ourselves be fooled again.
It is difficult for any of us to admit we were dead wrong about something as important as protecting freedom. The MAGA-misled people I know, all of them kind and otherwise level-headed, still cling to Trump. My MAGA family members even believe I am going to Hell for not voting Republican!
The MAGA crowd still takes up for Trump as a Christian, even though he repeatedly breaks the Old Testament 10 commandments, with no remorse. Money and power are his God.
In the obvious face of all the evidence, my dear Trumper cousin now says, “but I am just so afraid of socialism.” Her Baptist preacher apparently disagrees with the teachings of Jesus as being ”too socialist.” My cousin may rue this unfounded fear if Trump carries out his plan to privatize government programs. He has vowed to end Social Security and Medicare, two of the most socialist policies Americans have embraced.
Now, 741 senior National Security Leaders for America have endorsed Vice President Harris in a letter to the American people. They state flatly that “Mr. Trump is unfit to be Commander-in-Chief” (www. nsl4a.org).
The signers are former generals, ambassadors, admirals, governors, and senior directors of the National Security Council. They warn, “This election is a choice between serious leadership and vengeful impulsiveness. It is a choice between democracy and authoritarianism. Vice President Harris defends America’s democratic ideals, while former President Donald Trump endangers them” (www.nsl4a.org).
We failed to listen to Trump’s business associates who warned us in 2016. Perhaps now we will have ears to hear what these knowledgeable and alarmed patriots are telling us.