By JW August
I’ve been so distracted of late because of the threat to our institutions and way of life that appears at risk with the coming election and its aftermath. It’s not an exaggeration, this threat of a post insurrection is as real as a heart attack.
A recent email chain with colleagues included a long time friend upset about the Communists taking over if Trump is not victorious. That is so wrong on so many levels, it speaks to the importance of an informed public and the internet changed everything. It describes one of the numerous fairy tales in Trump’s Fables. (See Amazon for a copy. Those who support Trump are willing accomplices to the turmoil he seeks.
You will see editorials and stories coming out listing his sins, each and everyone, but the truth is, the former president’s fan club sees no sins; it’s all explained away because Trump’s is a victim of xxxxxx (fill in the blank).
Every presidential election we have been told its a crucial moment in history of the country. If we look back, those elections were ‘very important”, they’ve changed the world and not always for the better.
This election is also ‘very important’ but on steroids. At stake, what direction will America’s domestic and foreign police be heading. I don”t believe we have ever experienced a wider gap of disagreement on how to best run our country.
As important, is what happens after November 5th.
The widely reported threats to crush those who don’t agree with him made by Candidate Trump and his followers show they have no interest preserving the institutional guardrails that have allowed our country to survive a civil war, assassinations, race riots, depressions and recessions, labor unrest, all sorts of wars, and a world in constant conflict. I would say that’s an impressive and unique survival record from America.
The media needs to reach deep, this is not the moment to bail on your obligations to the country, like the billionaires at The Los Angeles Times and the Washington Post. These are serious times and standing on the sidelines is not an option.
I asked my parents, some neighbors and friends all the same question: “how has the federal government affected your life?”
My Dad spoke about Vietnam and his lucky high draft number. My Mom spoke about social security payments. My neighbor told me about her abortion covered through Obamacare which was a medical thing (i didn’t pry) and impacted her greatly.
Overall, people’s relationship with the federal government is limited beyond getting some of their own money back through SS and Medicare or joining a conflict the federal government started in the first place. The Obamacare one I actually heard a lot.
The Federal government is just not in your life very much and whoever is president gets to play with 10-15% of it.
Don’t give yourself a heart attack. This isn’t real. You are.
Michael, I don’t agree, just consider that what you pay in income taxes to the federal government. Your money along with the m0ney of millions of other Americans who pay into the system,
has a major impact on all our lives. Maybe it doesn’t seem as obvious to you as a social security check but it’s just as real. A good an example as any in San Diego. You live in a military town, where many of those billions are spent. Not sure what your figure of 10-15% comes from but the White House occupant sets policies that effect all our lives. And we should be concerned
That’s a lot of hyperbole and presumption. You don’t know where I live. How much I pay in taxes or how dumb I am because I don’t see what is “obvious.”
Go scream into the night and ill be swimming, going to the gym and not thinking about this silly election.
To call this election “silly” is beyond comprehension. It appears you have no appreciation for the stakes in this election, and if this election is silly, you must think Trump is silly — or deserving of being elected. If you have kids – or grandkids – they may be asking you in future years what you did to stop Trump and if all you can do is reply that ‘it was a silly election,’ you will be seriously disappointing your progeny if you have any.
I’ve also noticed that you Michael are at least consistent, consistent in opposing efforts to rein in ADUs, short-term rentals and any efforts to protect the 30-foot height limit at the coast. Nice going.
Frank,
I’ve always read what you’ve written and listened. I dont check this site all that often, but you seem different. Angry. This election is brining out the worst in people and all your outrage doesn’t change my views, it just makes me want to avoid the negativity altogether.
You don’t have forever on this world. Take a deep breath and turn off the election news.
MD – This election is very different, is not a normal one – not by a long shot; if you’re not anxious then you don’t appreciate what’s at stake. Being anxious — and angry — are the appropriate feelings of those who have been paying attention. I am outraged — and you ought to be too. If your views won’t be changed — does that mean you’re not voting or are voting for the candidate that wants to do away with the Constitution? It’s a truism that we don’t have ‘forever’ but if the Orange Fuhrer is elected, we’ll have much less.
3 days and then a whole lot of counting with lots of mail-in ballots being processed. Trump IS going to declare himself the winner, he already is. Now we get to find out just how effective the corrupt MAGATS that have been put in place all across the country will actually be.
https://www.truthdig.com/articles/new-ads-targeting-voting-officials-suggest-they-dont-need-to-certify-results/
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