I've got an important question for Trump supporters in Salem

In 2016, Donald Trump got 38% of the presidential vote in Salem, while Hillary Clinton got 49%. So when I go grocery shopping, as I did today, likely around a third of the people I see are Trump supporters.

(I'm hoping his support has slipped a bit during the past four years.)

Obviously there's a wide gulf between conservatives and progressives these days. Yet being a moderate sort of progressive, in no way do I view those who want another four years of Trump as crazy.

Having been raised by a fiercely Republican mother, who never wavered on her conservative principles, I'm familiar with the traditional Republican mindset. 

Small government. Capitalism. Anti-communist. Low taxes. Strong military.

Heck, until I was about sixteen, I devoured the issues of National Review that came into our house. My political leanings were as conservative as my mother's. I then became more liberal, especially after going to college in 1966.

I mention this because I could have a good conversation with a Trump supporter about the sorts of conservative principles I cited above. There are decent arguments on both the progressive and conservative sides.

But here's what I don't understand about those who voted for Trump and plan to do so again.

How can you go along with the attacks on American democracy that Trump is engaged in? This is something that I find unforgivable and indefensible. 

Meaning, we can disagree about what elected officials should do once they are voted in. But fair elections should never be a matter of debate. Every American who is eligible to vote should be able to do so without hindrance.

Do you agree with that statement, Trump supporters? If you do, I'm encouraged. Maybe Trump is trying to lead a war on voting that lacks an army to back him up.

However, this doesn't fit with the acquiescence of Republicans to actions that deeply concern progressives like me. For example:

-- Trump has said that if he doesn't win in November, this shows that the election was rigged. 
-- Trump is attacking vote by mail. 
-- Trump favors voter I.D. laws even though voter fraud is almost nonexistent.
-- Trump wants police at polling sites, which is unlawful.
-- Trump opposes Postal Service funding that would support mail-in voting.

So how can Trump supporters claim to be patriotic Americans if they are OK with these attempts to prevent a fair election in November? 

The most disturbing answer to that question is that Trump supporters would be fine with the United States becoming an anti-democratic authoritarian nation, if this enables Trump to have another four years in office.

If I'm wrong about that, and I hope I am, then I look forward to learning what other reason Trump supporters have for going along with Trump's attempts to discourage voting. Feel free to leave a comment with your explanation.

Comments

[Kurt]

This election is nothing more than a choice between fascism and a semblance of a constitutionally based representative government. I choose the latter.

Fascism never works and its supporters, if successful, will eventually have more egg on their face than members of the Silent Majority after the Saturday Night Massacre and the Watergate Affair.

Fascism depends on war to compensate for the inevitable deterioration of its popularity. The spread of the 1918 epidemic was largely the result of troop movements during WW1.

[Skyline]

"How can you go along with the attacks on American democracy that Trump is engaged in?"
Is THIS your "important" question?
Really?
Ummmmm, can we agree that this is just slightly a leading question??!!!
Here is a question for Brian:
Since we all know and agree that Jesus Christ, the son of God came to earth to forgive us of our sins, will return some day and will bring all of this madness to an end; how can cockamamie liberals even consider atheism?
Fair question; right?
I'm glad YOU set the rules......

[Kurt]

Skyline's proposition is that it is ridiculous to not hold the same religious beliefs as he holds because the core doctrine is that the revered figure "will bring all of this madness to an end" and you can only save yourself if you adopt his viewpoint.

Just like fundamentalist counterparts in other religions, death is presented in a favorable light to those who are "saved" (heaven). There are atheists that are afraid of death and religious people that are afraid of death. No free passes. The use of fear by religion is used as a marketing ploy, just as it is in the pharmaceutical industry, the insurance industry, and political consultant offices everywhere.

Using the promise of a "heaven" to justify giving up is a cowardly and dangerous tendency. A more positive and popular notion is that people have the ability to influence their fates.

Many truly religious people see Trump for the hypocrite that he so obviously is. There is still time to save yourself, Skyline.

[Jack Holloway]

Two questions:

1. How can Trump's groupies justify the wholesale violations of the ninth commandment by Trump, Pence and others in that vile stew of MAGA-hat wearers?

2. Trump's initial step in eliminating Social Security (defunding it by ending the payroll tax) took place yesterday. Social Security officials say that once the next two steps are completed, Social Security benefits will be seriously reduced next year, and will end altogether sometime in 2023. Granny's not gonna like that!

So, will you miss your monthly checks? Once they're gone, who ya gonna blame . . ?

[Kurt]

The pop philosopher and decades long user of amphetamines, Ayn Rand, has been used by so-called Conservatives and Libertarians to justify their support for unfettered Capitalism. Her positions on business rights and government power were shaped in Crimea, where her father's business was seized by the White Army (Commies).

Virtually all other positions she advocated for (including atheism and the right to choose) are the antithesis of what self described Conservatives believe in. She denounced libertarianism, which she associated with anarchism

In 1976, she enrolled in Social Security and Medicare.

[Lora Meisner]

The reason Trumpies and Republicans in general don't worry about voting is that they have gerrymeandered the states that they need to win in the electoral college........not the popular vote because Clinton got that in 2016. Republicans try to restrict voting in areas that are heavily minority because most of those people will vote for the Dems. As long as the Republcians can retain power voting and stealing the vote is all they care about. I think there should be lawn signs all over our country that say "Vote as if it's the last time........because it could be." If Trump gets reelected, I don't think what left of our democracy will survive. Here's another yard sign,"If you want Putin as President, Vote for Trump."

[Maht Gern]

Here's a link to an article addressing some of the voting issues raised in this post. It's not long...

https://townhall.com/columnists/kurtschlichter/2020/09/10/expect-democrat-shenanigans-but-dont-panic-n2575861

[Bern Maxwell]

I've got a question for Biden supporters.. Is he honest?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_f2Z30j61aw

You decide.

[Vaughn]

Trump is attacking vote by mail. Yeah, what's that all about? I've never done mail-in voting before. Do I mail them in all at once or do I space them out over a few days?