Excuse my rant…

A harsh letter to a friend who supports Donald Trump…

An ugly man

I know it’s not polite to talk about politics and religion. The former, we can’t ignore, the latter, best to leave to the believers. We can’t ignore politics because, like it or not, they shape our world, for better and for worse.

I’m writing this letter to you because you have, in my company, mentioned your support for Donald Trump. If you saw me go silent after that, you’re very astute. I usually walk away from anyone making that statement, or I go quiet, biting my tongue. There is so much I want to say, but for the sake of civility, I don’t.

But I’m not walking away.

The truth is this: I can’t respect anyone who respects Donald Trump. I probably don’t have to list the many reasons for this. (BUT OF COURSE I WILL!)

You know that Trump lies; you know that he’s a poor loser (and a loser he is); and you probably understand that he is seriously demented, as his rants continue to go off the rails with incomprehensible word salad, “weaving” in mental detritis like pro-golfer’s penis size, shark attacks, and dangerous windmills. It’s not a stand-up act. He’s supposed to be a serious man. And he is deeply unserious.

You try to make comparisons between Harris and Trump, as if we are looking at two equal parties. But we are not. You might ask, “What does Harris stand for? Do we know enough?” I know exactly what she stands for: decency, compassion, common sense approach to the economy, infrastructure, human rights, international diplomacy, not to mention true patriotism, protecting the constitution and all it stands for. Her social and economic policies are about progress, not the regressive thinking of a reactionary right-wing mob. She values women’s rights. LGBTQIA+ rights. Sensible gun regulation (the pesky idea from the second amendment). She understands that there is nuance to every question, and measures her answers. She is going to surround herself with knowledgeable people, much like Biden, working with both sides of the aisle to come up with the best solution to our problems. She is not here for retribution. She does not ask for revenge. She is not here to be your spiritual leader. She is not here to be your “ruler.” She is here to serve the people.

She is a patriot. Trump demands fealty not to the constitution, not to his office, but to Trump.

So why do you support Trump? He wants to make America Great Again?

Just when is he talking about? Exactly what year is he talking about? Before the Civil Rights Act? Before women could vote? He had four years to do it, and somehow…he just couldn’t get any of it done? The only significant act this man accomplished in his four years in office was a huge, whopping tax cut for the wealthy and corporations. That’s it. No infrastructure project. No healthcare.

He did do this: in May 2018, he dismantled the department of Global Health Security and Biodefense and their ability to oversee pandemic preparedness. Then, he mismanaged the pandemic, sent vital equipment to Russia while his own people were dying. He argued, denied, suggested we ingest bleach, take unproven drugs for animal diseases, and just let it magically run its course. Anything wrong, he blamed on Dr. Fauci.

And that’s it, isn’t it? Donald takes responsibility for nothing. And you will vote for him because you think, somehow, that’s a good thing? The buck doesn’t stop with Donald, he’ll dodge it just like he did the draft.

And who is he?

A rapist. A convicted felon (and no, it wasn’t a hit job, twelve jurors found him guilty of covering up crimes)? A loudmouth. And some say “well, he speaks what’s on his mind.”

Do you think his strong-man rhetoric is somehow going to save our country? Does he even mean what he says? Because half the time his defenders will say “he didn’t mean that,” or “that was just locker room talk,” or “he meant it metaphorically.”

Let’s face it, everything Donald Trump has ever created is ugly. Buildings? Ugly. Children? Ugly. They’re as greedy and as small minded as he is. Like their ugly father, they are barred from running public charities because they embezzled, stole, made off with over two million dollars for children with cancer. Ugly. His every belief is ugly. He has brought out ugliness in our country. And he is deeply ugly, inside and out. And I’m going to say this: people who vote for him must accept that they themselves are ugly.

How can I respect you when you are supporting a man who lost an election, and did everything in his power to stay in office, derail our electoral system, and incite a riot to stop the vote count? How can you respect a man who sat and did nothing when terrorists broke into the capital, threatening the lives of the Speaker of the House, the Vice-President, and any member of congress they encountered? How can you respect a man who did nothing — NOTHING BUT EAT HIS BIG MACS AND LOOK AT HIS TWITTER FEED— when the police were under siege from his supporters? Congress threatened? Vice President imperiled? How can you respect a man who lies on a daily basis? Whose only true belief is whatever works for Donald Trump?

This isn’t about politics, really. Donald Trump is going to focus your ugliness for you. Those animal-eating immigrants, who need to be put in concentration camps (can we start with his wife?). Anyone who disagrees with him is a target. Every insult he hurls in their direction is an admission. He only sees himself, so the ugly reflection he sees in his enemies is his own truth.

This is a moral decision: do you support a criminal with malicious intent, or do you support a career prosecutor and devoted politician who has promised (and proved her worth) in helping the working man, while Donald Trump is famous for stiffing people? This is about a seriously deranged man who has promised to get revenge on his political opponents. This man, the “self-made businessman” who inherited millions and bankrupted six companies, you respect?

I can’t agree on “politics as usual,” because this is not usual. Donald Trump should have been held accountable for his actions on January 6th long before now. Some system should have been put in place to prevent this from happening (like, maybe an attorney general who recognized the danger of a second Trump presidency?).

It’s about his policies, you say. He’ll be good for the country, you say.

Let’s look at his policies:

Military: The scariest aspect of Donald Trump’s military policy is the potential for unpredictable and aggressive military actions, particularly his inclination toward unilateral decisions without thorough consultation with military advisors or international allies. His previous rhetoric has suggested a willingness to use military force in response to perceived threats, raising concerns about escalating conflicts and instability in volatile regions​. (Remember, this is a man who reveres Putin, Orban, and Kim Jong Un. He loves dictators. And they’ve proved over and over again how weak he is because he feeds on flattery. He’s a useful pawn.)

Additionally, Trump’s approach to nuclear policy, including his desire to expand the U.S. nuclear arsenal and potentially reduce commitments to arms control treaties, poses significant risks for global security and could lead to an arms race.

His tendency to prioritize military spending while proposing cuts to diplomatic efforts and alliances also raises fears that these policies could undermine long-term stability and international relations. NATO? The UN? Say goodbye if Trump gets re-elected.

Several former military advisors and cabinet members of Donald Trump have publicly disavowed him, considering him a danger to the country. Notably, ten retired military generals and admirals have expressed their concerns and have openly backed Vice President Harris, labeling Trump as a danger. Additionally, figures like Jim Mattis, Trump’s former Secretary of Defense, have described Trump as “dangerous” and unfit for office. Many former officials who served in Trump’s administration have echoed similar sentiments, criticizing his leadership style and the events surrounding the January 6th Capitol attack. Hell, his own chief of staff called him a fascist.

But you know better, right?

Economic policies:

1. Tax Cuts Favoring the Wealthy: The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act significantly reduced corporate tax rates and provided substantial benefits to high-income earners, which critics argue disproportionately favored the wealthy and increased income inequality. These cuts contributed to a larger federal deficit without delivering the promised economic growth for the middle and lower classes.
2. Trade Wars and Tariffs: Trump’s trade policies, particularly the imposition of tariffs on China and other nations, led to retaliatory measures that disrupted global supply chains and increased costs for American consumers and businesses. The trade war not only strained relationships with key trading partners but also created uncertainty in markets, affecting investments.
3. ‘Trump’s future tariff policies could have several dire impacts on the U.S. economy, including:

a) Increased Consumer Prices: Higher tariffs on imports, particularly from China, could lead to increased costs for consumers as businesses pass on the expenses. This could particularly affect everyday goods, resulting in inflationary pressures​

b) Supply Chain Disruptions: The imposition of tariffs can disrupt existing supply chains, leading to shortages of products and raw materials. Businesses that rely on international supply chains may face delays and increased costs, affecting their overall productivity and competitiveness​

c) Retaliatory Measures: Other countries may respond to U.S. tariffs with their own tariffs on American goods, which could lead to a trade war. This would further strain international relations and could hurt U.S. exporters, particularly in industries like agriculture, which depend heavily on foreign markets​

d) Economic Uncertainty: The unpredictability of tariff changes can create uncertainty for businesses, discouraging investment and expansion. Companies may delay hiring or capital expenditures due to the fear of fluctuating costs associated with tariffs, potentially stalling economic growth​

1. Neglect of Workers’ Rights: Under Trump’s administration, labor protections and regulations were rolled back, which critics argue weakened workers’ rights and reduced job security. Efforts to diminish the influence of unions and cut funding for worker training programs have been seen as detrimental to the workforce’s long-term stability and growth.
2. Environmental Deregulation: Trump’s focus on deregulation, especially concerning environmental protections, has raised concerns about long-term sustainability and public health. Policies that prioritize short-term economic gain over environmental stewardship could lead to increased pollution and contribute to climate change, ultimately affecting economic stability.

And now, let’s talk Project 2025. I’ve heard rumblings from the Trump camp that “this isn’t true,” “they don’t mean that,” “he really doesn’t believe…”

And I say: are you fucking kidding me? Authored by the Heritage Foundation, a far-right conservative “think tank,” Project 2025, formally titled Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise, is a guided roadmap that could lead to the erosion of democratic institutions, increased political polarization, and significant setbacks in civil rights protections, as the proposed policies may prioritize far-right ideologies over democratic governance and inclusivity. Critics warn that such a shift could deepen societal divides and undermine the foundational principles of democracy in the United States.

Trump’s tried to back away from it, but his name is mentioned approximately 300 times in the actual document.

Let’s take a quick look at what Project 2025 can do:

1. Erosion of Democratic Institutions: The implementation of extreme policies may undermine checks and balances within the government, leading to a consolidation of power in the executive branch that threatens the independence of the judiciary and the media.
2. Increased Social Division: By pursuing far-right ideologies, Project 2025 could exacerbate political polarization, resulting in heightened social tensions and conflict among various demographic groups.
3. Human Rights Violations: The proposed immigration policies may lead to severe human rights abuses, such as family separations and the detention of vulnerable populations, raising ethical concerns and potentially violating international norms.
4. Economic Instability: Drastic changes to immigration policy could result in labor shortages across key sectors, as reduced immigration opportunities may hinder the workforce necessary for industries like agriculture and construction, leading to economic disruption.
5. Eliminating the Department of Education. Do I have to say more?

Of course, Trump has proved over and over again that he believes in nothing but Trump. He is a useful fool for others to use to get what they want.

Furthermore, Donald Trump has made various statements threatening actions against the press and individuals who oppose him, including:

1. Legal Action: He has threatened to sue media organizations and individuals for defamation or negative coverage, claiming that they spread false information about him.
2. Revoking Press Credentials: He has suggested that he might revoke the press credentials of journalists and news organizations that he perceives as unfairly critical.
3. Calls for Censorship: Trump has expressed support for actions that could limit the reach of media outlets he deems hostile, advocating for investigations into their practices.
4. Retaliation Against Critics: He has indicated a willingness to retaliate against individuals who speak out against him, including suggesting that they could face consequences in political or legal arenas.

With no guardrails in place, with a cabinet of unqualified but eager sycophants who will not only support his growingly unhinged authoritarian ideas, how can we survive his worst instincts?

I’m sorry. There is nothing for me to respect in your decision to vote for him.

Nothing.

So the question remains, after I’ve written all this: will you still vote for him and why? And if you do, will you take personal responsibility for any of the above horrors he will, no doubt, oversee? Because I will hold you responsible.

I will hold you responsible because I want to respect you. I want to think you have the best intentions, and believe the best in your fellow man. I want to believe we share a common value and belief system. One that upholds civil rights, protects the constitution, and places no man or political party above the law.

I’ve often repeated this unfunny, but scary joke:
There are twelve people sitting at a table. Eleven of them are Nazis. What do you call the twelfth one? A Nazi.

So…who is sitting at your table?