This sordid and embarrassing election year has been historical. We are not always proud of our history, and this is definitely one of those times. The Republican standard bearer, Donald Trump, built his campaign upon emotions created by negative and often degrading rhetoric.
Hillary Clinton has offered detailed plans to reduce income inequality, to repair the Affordable Care Act, defeat ISIS, and make higher education affordable for all Americans. She says that she will work with both sides of the aisle to restore our democracy, and protect the rights of both gun owners, and the general public by passing common sense gun legislation. Most importantly, she says that she will ensure that all women are treated equally with their male counterparts in all areas of our society.
Donald Trump wants to repeal all the advances made for the working class in the last eight years. Economists claim that his tax plan would increase the deficit, and be a ‘gift to the one-percent.’ He has never mentioned income inequality, or the cost of education. He says that he will “fix everything,” but offers no ideas and no solutions which define his claims.
I choose to believe in my nation. I know that the American people will begin to choose candidates who will serve them and not their wealthy masters; men and women who are qualified and place their ambitions behind the welfare of our nation’s people. I believe that with compassionate leadership the racism and bigotry which has surfaced during the 2016 campaign season can be reversed. The Constitutional rights of all Americans must be protected and celebrated. We must begin a movement to cease defining individuals by their color or national origin. Acceptance will become the norm; no longer will the LGBT community be forced to ‘stay in the closet.’ It’s time for America to celebrate our differences, and not fear them. Religion must cease to be a force in our government. All religious beliefs must be protected, and the Christian religious right’s control of an entire party must be removed. This is my America.
No man or woman who nurtures fear, hatred, and prejudice should be allowed to live in the White House. No man who is a proven sexual predator should be allowed to soil the sheets in its private quarters. This is not what America is about; this is a violation of the principles of our founding fathers.
One final truth; if a man had made the mistakes which Hillary Clinton is accused of, he would have been taken at his word, and not demonized by the media. If we elect our first woman president, our nation’s people will look back at her struggle to be accepted and even praised for her efforts which have benefited the working class. She has been held to a higher standard than her male adversary.
Do the right thing, America. Elect the most qualified candidate in our nation’s history, and deny the “orange man” his personal ambition. Thank you, and please re-post.
Op-Ed
By James Turnage
Follow me on twitter; @jamesturnagenov
The Truth With No Restrictions 