Dear Americans:
[This open letter is addressed to all Americans - even the many who are not acting like Americans.]
We must redefine the phrase so often used during the 2020 Presidential Campaign - “This is not who we are as a country” - to “This IS who we are as a country.”
As a country - we should all be embarrassed by the many words and actions that are uncharacteristic of America during this presidential campaign. Tomorrow is Election Day in America - but we should not expect to know who the definitive winner is for days - maybe weeks. A winner will be declared; but, rather than anticipate the peaceful transfer of power which has been a credit to our great nation, we - the American people - have reason to fear unrest and perhaps violence.
Video of the caravan of President Donald Trump supporters surrounding a Joe Biden-Kamala Harris campaign bus along an Interstate in Texas should send chills up the spine of every real American. The sight of pick-up trucks, cars and SUVs with Trump flags and American flags recklessly riding behind, beside and in front of the opposition bus was a scene more reminiscent of a Third World country’s citizens supporting their favorite dictator. But no one should be surprised by that scene because the growing hate and division in America has now become reality on our streets.
Even worse than the behavior of the thug-minded individuals who were part of the Trump caravan, is a president who described them as “patriots” who did nothing wrong. Following President Trump’s lead - Republican politicians and right-wing hosts have given their subtle approval of the physical threat posed by the caravan even to the point of saying that the FBI investigation into the incident is politically driven.
President Trump’s threat of his people being actively involved on Election Day on polling places seems to have given permission for Trump supporters to show up at the polls to make sure the vote goes well. The subtle implication is their presence might be viewed as a way to convince voters to vote for Trump.
Opposition for the far-left
Extreme opposition to the Trump administration has been manifested in destruction and violence from those aligned with the anti-fascist movement - antifa. While there should be zero tolerance for the violent mentality of antifa - the idea of being anti-fascist should be common among Americans. Here is the Merriam-Webster definition of fascism:
a political philosophy, movement, or regime (such as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition
And yet - as a nation - we can’t agree on whether to oppose a form of government that contradicts the foundation of America.
We are divided, and the divide is laced with pure hate that comes from the heart. We - the people - are responsible for this mood in America. We may not be personally contributing as individuals - but collectively - we - as a nation - are responsible and must demand that the spirit of America not die in the election of 2020.