Trump won a second term in the White House thanks, in part, to a spike in support across several demographic groups, including a record-breaking jump among Latino voters. An NBC News exit poll of voters in 10 states — including Arizona, Florida and Texas showed Trump captured 55% of the Latino male vote. It’s the first time the demographic has sided with a Republican in a presidential election. This happened despite Trump surrogates uttering anti-Latino jokes at rallies and despite Trump’s promises to not only deport undocumented immigrants but also to revoke birthright citizenship — a privilege more than a few rancho libertarians were blessed with. Maybe these voters slid toward machismo, misogyny, or aspirational whiteness. Maybe it’s stupidity.
November 5th is the day I stopped believing in America and my fellow citizens. Plain and simple. Period.
The Trump administration is going to go to war on the United States. The better reason I am mad is founded by the words of GK Chesterson,”The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.” Instead, Americans gave up everything for a want-to-be authoritarian. We ditched the morals of my country. We ditched the moral faith of Christ, eternal love, and God.
About 160,000 Allied troops stormed the beaches of France on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Allied forces came from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Free France, and Norway. The troops parachuted, used gliders, or landed via amphibious assault craft. The invasion force included 7,000 ships and landing craft manned by over 195,000 naval personnel. The Allies suffered an estimated 10,000 killed, wounded, or missing.
The Band of Brothers episode, Why We Fight, is a testament to the bravery of our past. Yet, with time to reflect, some soldiers wonder if the fight was worth the number of lives lost. Then Americans encounter the Kaufering IV concentration camp. Liebgott asks, “Was is das hier? [Why are you here?].” Turning to Winters, Liebgott states, “He says it’s a work camp for, uh, unerwuenschter. I’m not sure what the word means, sir, uh, unwanted, disliked, maybe? Further clarifying, “No. Actors, musicians, tailors, clerks, farmers, and intellectuals. Ordinary people.” Yes, the episode is a powerful reminder of American bravery, but it’s a lesson to that is likely to become our future. And the Band of Brothers who fought and gave their lives during World War II would fight against the current GOP philosophy.
Historically, if we look at the growth of Nazism, we see reminders of America today. Efforts by current GOP leadership include banning books, removing long-established rights, anti-LGBTQ initiatives, anti-Asian, denying healthcare services based upon one’s moral conscience, lawsuits against businesses simply for voicing an opinion about fundamental human rights, anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion, forbidding managers of retirement funds from taking environmental, social, and governance into account, determining who can own real estate, pairing down the right to vote to ensure that only a minority can vote. There’s also the attempted overthrow of the government, medical lies about COVID, and the selling of fake medicines as the truth (ivermectin). The Republican National Committee (RNC) declared the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the US Capitol “legitimate political discourse.”
November 5th is not solely about Latinos. Multitude of Latinos, Blacks, Asians, White (and so on) voted for Trump in spite of his open declaration of authoritarian goals. He relentlessly attacked the press and was described as a fascist by former staff members. Even the Washington Post and L.A. Times backed away from recommending Harris for fear of angering the Orange Despot, a form of preparatory compliance.
Economically, while Trump claims tariffs hit foreign governments and companies, but in reality it is Americans who are hurt. I fear those that voted as a ‘Trump Republican for economic reasons will not find relief. Should Trump implement his main economic idea, tariffs, will find consumers paying the price. The imposition tariffs of 20% and possibly more on all foreign imports, and a 60% tariff on all products from China are levels not seen since the Great Depression. Recent studies show that adding new 20% tariffs on all imports, plus 60% tariffs on all Chinese products, would cost an average household between $3,900 and $7,600 more each year for imported consumer goods.
On November 5th, the day over half of America’s voting public thumbed it’s nose at all those who sacrificed for this country is the moment I stopped believing in America. If you can say that Trump is somehow divinely guided; then at least your honest. I don’t worship the same God, but least you have integrity.