Rise Up ....Vote

I wrote this post prior to President Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis. Nonetheless, I consider these opinions still relevant. If anything, his diagnosis (and his handling of it) could give him a sympathetic edge with some voters.

“Rise up”

(lyric from “My Shot” by Lin-Manuel Miranda)

               Despite my anxiety over the coronavirus pandemic and America’s economic, social, and racial turmoil, what scares me most is the number of people, especially African Americans, who say they do not intend to vote on November 3.

               Some are unhappy with the divisiveness, acrimony, and downright dirty politics from both parties; some argue that their votes won’t count, or won’t be counted; some feel that Joe Biden lacks the toughness or charisma to beat President Trump, and some distrust Democratic vice-presidential nominee Senator Kamala Harris based on her pro-law enforcement record when she served as California attorney general.

               Truth is, I am not keen on Joe Biden. He promises more than I think any president can deliver in one, or even two, terms. Despite surefire opposition from the Republican-controlled Senate, Biden pledges:

• To reverse Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord To provide health care for all Americans

•          To make rational COVID-19 policy decisions recommended by the CDC and WHO

•          To abolish the death penalty,

•        To eliminate private prisons

•         To raise the minimum wage

               Biden should focus on two or three issues that he reasonably believes can garner bipartisan support.

Why vote?

               Why is it crucial for potential sideliners to “rise up” and vote?

               I fear that a second Trump term will be more divisive than his first.

               His failure to speak out against alt-right and white supremacist groups forebodes ugly, possibly deadly, confrontations between these groups and peaceful protestors.

               If Trump gets elected for a second term--and he has enough diehard followers to pull it off--the unthinkable can become reality:

• The end of Social Security benefits

• Continued militarization of police departments and calls for harsher treatment of those taken into to custody

• The end of legalized abortion with the reversal of Roe v Wade

• The demise of “Obamacare”

• Crackdowns on “rioters” using the National Guard and federal officers

               Trump continues to denigrate and erode public confidence in many groups including, the press, the intelligence community, activist organizations, public health experts, immigrants, and people of color.

               Only massive turnouts by “undecideds,” young people, independents, and African Americans can stop Trump’s march toward unimpeded power.

              Do not make the mistake of sitting this one out; the stakes are too high.

© 2020 wistajohnson.com (Reprint by permission only.)