Obviously, the presidential race is tight. Admittedly, I don’t understand that, but the older I get, the less I understand.
As a Republican (a RINO now), I left Trump during the 2016 campaign. So, I just want to see when some other people said “no mas” or not. So, let’s do this. PART TWO will post tomorrow.
*** An Access Hollywood video was discovered/released where candidate Donald Trump, said, “And when you’re a star they let you do it. You can do anything. Grab them by the p****. You can do anything.” Surprisingly, most people accepted the “locker room talk” explanation. As an ex-athlete, I never had locker room talk like that. In 2023 Trump was convicted by a jury of sexual assault. And you’re still voting for him?
*** In the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, then-President Trump sent COVID test machines (the machines that were in short supply for American hospitals) to Russian President Vladimir Putin for his personal use, according to Bob Woodward’s latest book released this week. While Trump called the two-time Pulitzer Prize winner a “hack” and other derogatory names and refuted the report, a response from the Kremlin confirmed the story. And you’re still voting for him?
*** The defeated President, unable to cling to power, incited a violent mob to attack the Capitol, while according to his own staff, the President sat in his dining room and watched the day unfold on TV. Since that day, Trump has claimed the election was stolen, and he has convinced his cult-like supporters, including many Congressional members, to parrot his claim. It has become difficult for many to deflect questions about the insurrection, and many choose to remember it as Trump now describes it, a beautiful day with patriotic followers. It was not. And you’re still voting for him?
*** Donald Trump’s Supreme Court terminated Roe v. Wade, and Trump claimed that “everyone wanted this,” noting that now the states can decide. Why is it better for states to decide, and to legislate geographically? Shouldn’t we find a solution and make it national? I would never condone abortion, but I have no right to decide what you should do in your own situation. And is it right that living in Texas should limit your reproductive health options compared to what you might get if you live in Michigan? And you’re still voting for him?
*** “They’re eating the dogs, they’re eating the cats,” said Trump at the Trump-Harris debate. Despite the claim being disproved, despite the impacted Republican mayor and Republican governor each asking Trump and his running mate to quit spreading this lie, despite bomb threats and school cancellations and a potential for violence, Trump and Vance persist weeks later. He’s now doing similar damage in Aurora, CO, despite Republican leaders there disputing those claims and asking him to stop. And you’re still voting for him?
*** Trump’s former Chairman of the U.S. joint Chiefs of Staff, called Trump a “total fascist.” Retired General Mark Milley told Bob Woodward, as detailed in Woodward’s newest book, WAR, “He is the most dangerous person ever. I had suspicions when I talked to you about his mental decline and so forth, but now I realize he’s a total fascist. He is now the most dangerous person to this country, A fascist to the core.” And you’re still voting for him?
*** Hundreds of Republicans, including many members of President Trump’s cabinet, advisors, and staff, have committed to NOT support Trump’s 2024 campaign:
They include Vice President Mike Pence and Trump cabinet members John Bolton, U.S. National Security Advisor, Dan Coats, Director of National Intelligence, Mark Esper, Secretary of Defense and Secretary of the Army, John Kelly, White House Chief of Staff and Secretary of Homeland Security, H. R. McMaster, National Security Advisor.
Others include White House officials Ty Cobb, White House Special Counsel, Alyssa Farah Griffin, White House Director of Strategic Communications and Press Secretary of the U.S. Department of Defense, Stephanie Grisham, White House Communications Director and White House Press Secretary, Cassidy Hutchinson, executive assistant to the White House Chief of Staff, Sarah Matthews, Deputy White House Press Secretary, Anthony Scaramucci, White House Communications Director, Marc Short, Chief of Staff to the Vice President.
And, others, including James Comey, General Mark Milley, Miles Taylor, Olivia Troye, Dick Cheney, and Republican Senators Mitt Romney, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Bill Cassidy, Jerry Moran, and Todd Young have refused to support Trump.
And there are hundreds more (too many to list). In fact, there has never been this much public non-support from a candidate’s own party. And you’re still voting for him?
*** Former President Trump’s proposed tax plan is a boon for the extremely rich, and a burden for the rest. According to an Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) report, the top one percent of earners could enjoy an average tax cut of over $36,300, while the next four percent would realize cuts averaging $7,200. Meanwhile, 95% of Americans could face tax hikes ranging from $600 to $1,800, depending on their income bracket. And you’re still voting for him?
I could only hit a few of the myriad instances with my 800-900 words. I will publish PART 2 of this column tomorrow. Please come back for that.
Curt MacRae is a resident of Coldwater, MI, and publishes opinion columns regularly.
Tweets @curtmacrae — comments to rantsbymac@gmail.com
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