Love, hate, justice and democracy

Love to everyone,

Sorry about the delay in answering some of the responses, both positive and negative, I received from my previous post of Oct 10th. I am sending out this group response and not answering individually due to time limits. 

First, I think it’s important that I emphasize the fact that as an Independent, I am conservative in many ways, such as with abortion and the need for us to be fiscally responsible and try to have a balanced budget.  But as an American citizen I cannot support Trump as my president.

Second, I refuse to hate anyone, in accordance with God's word, even if I believe them to be a spoiled and irresponsible child in a man’s body. That's what I believe Trump is. But I must speak out now because if this person is reelected, our freedom and democracy are in jeopardy.

So, I'm explaining the facts as I see them. The media may be biased - some this way and some that - but they don't have to treat Trump in any negative or derogatory manor, he does that best himself.  All you must do is listen to what he says and that will be clear. He badmouths his opponents personally, calls them names, calls them stupid, lies about them and basically demeans anyone who stands against him.  He even disrespects veterans and mocks the disabled - we have seen him do that publicly.  Is that Christian or in any way moral? He also takes the word of Putin, a known tyrant, murderer and our enemy, over the word of our own intelligence services.

 He promoted and refused to call off an attack on our capitol aimed at overturning the 2020 election - an election that was judged fair and legal by more than 60 court decisions. As a result of his actions before and during that attack, he is at least partly responsible for several related deaths.  He still calls that election rigged - failing to accept and respect our Constitution and the law. This results in much and continuing division of our citizens. It seems likely that is what he strives to do!

“A house divided against itself cannot stand”.

He has intentionally kept and shared “secret” documents with “who knows who” and in the process put our country and the lives of our undercover intelligence gathering agents in grave danger. How would you like to be in their shoes?  How could you protect yourself or your family?  There’s no way you could and, of course, no way you could stay effective in your work. We don’t even know who or what has been exposed - but this act alone could kill countless people - our friends, neighbors, our sons and daughters.

He has violated his constitutional oath of office and has suggested that we do away with the Constitution - an idea and a document that I believe is God inspired, has protected our freedom and democracy and served us well (with a few tweaks in an effort to “form a more perfect union”) for going on 250 years. That document, those who support it, the laws and morality it has brought us and the veterans who have sacrificed to win and keep our freedom are the reasons America is great. We must keep it that way.  No bullies - no tyrants.

Another dangerous scenario that I should mention is that this past president has said he would stop supporting Ukraine and talked about withdrawing from NATO and letting Russia do “whatever the hell it wanted to do in Europe”.  NATO is the most important peace keeping and powerful alliance in history.  Either or both of those actions would play directly into the hands of our enemies and spread anger and mistrust among our allies, both in Europe and in the Pacific. Because we would have not honored our treaties and obligations Putin would move against other European countries, Xe would be emboldened to attack Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and other allies in the Pacific. Where would that leave us then?  We must be strong in our support and defense of democracies.  It takes courage and is expensive in money and lives but the alternative is to stand alone against a world of tyranny. This world is a lonely and scary place without friends.

Yesterday, in some interview on TV, I heard Trump saying that there are evil people in this country and that it might be acceptable to use the national guard and/or the military against them!   In other words, his opponents. We know this because he has publicly vowed to seek retribution against those who have opposed or do oppose him.  He is setting up the use of force justification if he loses and telegraphing his intentions if he wins.  These actions would result in civil war.   He’s right about evil people. Do not be fooled by this devious man!   God, do we not understand that is the way Hitler and other dictators worked - divide and conquer - lie and promise anything - then change once in power?  Castro did the same in Cuba.  How long ‘til we recognize these monsters and keep them from positions of authority?  “Those who forget history are bound to repeat it.” By the way, Trump has repeated Hitler’s thoughts by talking about people poisoning American blood and wishing he had generals like Hitler had. Even the slogan “Make America great again” is very similar to “Deutschland uber alles” (Germany above all) - the Nazi slogan.

I will tell you this without a doubt in my heart or my mind - AMERICA IS ALREADY GREAT!  Start comparing!  I’ve been in many countries around this world - there is no greater country than ours. We need to keep it democratic and free. Because we’re great we have recovered from the pandemic faster and better than any other country in all ways!  Google it!  The radical moves and actions Trump suggests would set our world back 250 years or more!

Today, he again showed how very rude and crude he is. We heard him make a statement about the anatomy of Arnold Palmer - how when others saw him in the shower they could see what a man he was. Then he called Kamala Harris “a  s**t  vice   president.” When I heard that, I remembered him calling some other nations s**thole countries -   about immigrants who came from there. I also remember a video of him pushing and shoving other world leaders aside so he could get to the front of the group!  Recall too that early in the COVID 19 pandemic he at first pooh-poohed the idea of a pandemic - said that it would end quickly and we should not worry about it.  Then, as a remedy he suggested that we ingest, inhale or in some way take bleach into our bodies.  We have no way of knowing how many lives could have been saved had we treated the pandemic urgently. I was one of those who survived long covid. They told me I was lucky to be alive.

Is this the kind of person we want leading our country?

Fortunately, cabinet members of his presidency have turned on him and have stated that he is not fit to serve as president.  Many other Republicans have done the same and are voting for and backing Harris. A major problem is that he lies so much and repeats his lies so much that some people believe they are true. I don't believe this man is intelligent although he is very savvy in politics, publicity and deception. Neither do I believe that he is as rich as he claims and certainly, as proven, he has gained some of his wealth by scheming, cheating and lying.  Fact Check that. What I do believe is, this person is mentally unstable and childish, morally highly corrupt and should be guided back to the path of righteousness by those who have the power to do that if it can be done.  There are countless other, fact checked, moves he has made that most of us would consider immoral, illegal, not smart and/or dangerous to our country. I couldn’t possibly list them all here.  The truth, with all of this in mind, is that I believe along with millions of others that this man should never hold public office again.

Someone suggested that by writing that original letter I might be taking a risk. What is that risk?  Losing friends? Inviting violence against me?  If that’s the case, someone has already succeeded in diminishing our civility to a level at which we can no longer exchange ideas and opinions without exposing ourselves to unreasonable, undemocratic and possible violent consequences.  That’s what division does and anyone who promotes it should be corrected and never elected to any position of leadership or authority.  We must be free to exchange ideas in order to come to the best consensus for a problem and then stand together on that decision - making changes as necessary in a civil and orderly manner. “United we stand - divided we fall”.  That’s what my country is about and I believe that’s what makes it a great and wonderful country - different from all others.  How about you?  What do you think?  So, am I taking a risk? If I am, as much as I dread the thought, it’s worth it!  You can find new friends, but you can’t find a new God! …or a better country. Take the risk with me.

 I think we must be very protective of our Constitution, freedom and democracy. Doubt, fear, hate and division are no way to live in America or in God’s will. We must stand against them and for the true meaning of our society.  My memory may be too good, but these are things that I have witnessed and can’t forget.  Is Trump the kind of man we want to lead us, represent our country in the world, set the example for our citizens and our children?   Is he the kind of person that will protect and defend our Constitution and our democracy?  No.  In accordance with the Golden Rule and as I wrote in my original post - If I wander off as far as Trump has, I want someone to help me back to the path.

A person seeking love and the strength to live the Golden Rule,

Bill

In response to my initial post some also asked about the following:

Abortion

This is a tough problem because it involves the freedom and choice of one person versus the potential life of another. Women are special and gifted in that they can carry and bring a new precious life into this world.  This also comes with grave responsibilities. Basically, here's where I stand.  I am opposed to abortion as birth control.  I am not opposed to contraception.  In cases of rape and incest I accept it.

In the case of health of the mother, I am pro-abortion as necessary and decided by the woman and her doctor’s advice.   What I will say is that I love women and consider us all equal under our Constitution and in God’s eyes but 9 months of discomfort, economic stress and inconvenience is a small price for a woman to pay to save, protect and allow a new life to enter this world – a precious life!  If a child is unwanted – for any reason – that child should be put up for adoption. There are many couples yearning to adopt and there should be an agency to coordinate those two needs. In any case, if we are requiring and allowing women to bring children into our society, we must ensure that children are brought up in a loving, caring home environment. They must be given the proper nourishment, hope and encouragement to bloom to their fullest potential. We must give them hope! We must make a pathway for our children to become productive citizens. They are most important - they are our future!

We are currently creating many lazy, dependent, hopeless and criminally oriented kids - but that’s another story.

The economy:

We have recovered faster and better than any other country. Yes, some prices are still high but that is leveling out and I believe we’re on the right track.

Immigration

That is a real problem that needs a bi-partisan solution that protects our country and the immigrants involved.  We had such a bill that would have been a step in the right direction, but Trump had republicans kill it so that it would not show success of the democrats during his run for reelection.  We must put people who can work together in positions of power.

The best part is that in a democracy we can change things, including laws.  Let’s keep our democracy and keep it strong!  Please pass this on.                                            That’s all for now - Love to you!