I’ve been in a bit of a funk lately. It could be that the constant chaos surrounding the upcoming election is getting me down. Or, I’m suffering from political fatigue. I’m not quite sure. But over the weekend, as I was out and about in my small town here in Southwest Oregon, my ‘funk’ was instantly replaced with fight. As in, I promise to fight like hell to make sure that on November 3, 2020, our democracy survives its biggest domestic threat in generations.
So what was it that woke me from my slumbered state? A few weeks ago, I noticed a few signs around town announcing that there would be a ‘Freedom Rally’ on September 26. And sure enough, I witnessed what this so-called freedom rally was all about as soon as I got in the car and headed out to the main road.
Pickup trucks, cars, jeeps, and RV’s; all decked out in American flags, Trump signs, and yes, even an occasional Confederate flag. What the Confederate flag has to do with freedom escapes me at the moment. But I think you get the idea of what things were like on an otherwise beautiful Saturday in Brookings, Oregon.
The good news is that no matter what the results of this election are for the county in which I live, you can be damn sure that the state of Oregon will not vote to reelect the current president. For that, I’m grateful. But it doesn’t hide the fact that I live in a town where the overwhelming majority of people will be casting their vote for such a despicable and dangerous man.
And the sheer size of the convoy was quite impressive. Our town here has a population of roughly seven thousand, of which I’d say a substantial number are devout supporters of the current president. Curry County, which Brookings is a part of, gave Trump approximately 60% of the vote in 2016 against Hillary Clinton, which tells you all you need to know about this area.
And they’re all incredibly proud of how much they love the current president. Yes, they show us how they’ve taken on his obnoxious narcissistic personality in how they present themselves in public. Whoever has the most massive Trump banner or American flag seems to be the goal. Like their great leader, they’re in your face — all the time.
Admittedly, I do not know many of these people personally, nor do I want to. Legendary journalist and author Bob Woodward, a man I much respect, recently suggested that we need to try our best to “understand” Trump voters. I’ve got news for Mr. Woodward: No, we do not.
Because here is what I know:
*Over 7 million Covid-19 infections and fast approaching 206k deaths in the worst pandemic since 1918. He dithered. He lied. He played it down. Eight months in – still no plan.
Yet, they still love him.
*An economy catastrophe, with millions seeking unemployment benefits, thousands of businesses permanently closed, and many more facing food insecurity and evictions.
Yet, they still love him.
*Climate change at a tipping point. Fires raging, temperatures and our seas rising, and some of the worst storms we’ve seen in generations. The current president doubles down and hires industry insiders and sycophants. Then he insists the climate will “head back in the other direction at some point.”
Yet, they still love him.
*The most corrupt administration in history. Congressional Democrats impeached him for seeking foreign help to dig up dirt on his presumed political opponent.
Yet, they still love him.
*Refuses to vow for a peaceful transition if he loses the election, reversing historical precedent and norms from previous presidents – even casually suggesting violence may occur.
Yet, they still love him.
*Finally (yes, there’s much, much more), he’s a tax cheat, tax avoider/evader, and a failed businessman – paying no federal income taxes for several years, and only $750 in 2016 and 2017.
Yet, they still love him.
So to Mr. Woodward and others in the media who’ve suggested we try to understand the Trump voter, I’ve already made my judgment with all due respect. Anyone who still considers the current president worthy of 4 more years, even after all of the above and more, I can only reach one conclusion: You’re deplorable.
Yes, Hillary was right all along. She caught hell for it even though she most certainly spoke the truth. She’s owed a collective apology, especially from the media. But also for those who decided to skip the last election or vote for a third-party candidate.
Now here we are on the cusp of yet another radical Supreme Court Justice ready to be confirmed — in record time — the third such Justice nominated by an illegitimate president.
If, like me, you’ve found yourself in a funk, depression, or both, it’s time to wake the hell up. We’re in the fight for our lives. The next time you run across a Trump convoy, there’s no need to try and understand what’s wrong with them. Instead of wanting to kick their asses, let’s kick their dear leader’s ass out of the White House in overwhelming fashion.
The media can then spend the next four years interviewing the cult, much like they did in the previous four, only this time asking them all why their man lost, bigly. I can’t wait.
On The Fence Voters 
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