A good friend (call him Jack) expressed strong disagreement with critical opinions I expressed last week regarding the 2024 political scene. I have asked readers to tell me what they think, and they have. I enjoy all feedback, as long as it’s civil, and as you might imagine in today’s divided America, I’ve upset a few people. Readers have critiqued me as being both too far right and too far left.
Jack sent me a suggestion to view multiple links to writers offering dissenting views.
I strive to check and recheck the information that I use in my columns, and I don’t automatically assume that every Internet post gets the same scrutiny. I replied to Jack and asked him to please quit sending this type of info. I was told “I thought there was room for rebuttal.”
Of course, he was right. Rebuttal is fine. I told Jack that I wanted his thoughts and his dialogue, not a link to some anonymous podcaster. So, we talked. Afterward, I wanted to document the details, so I wrote…
Dear Jack,
There is ALWAYS room for rebuttal; however, I’d rather hear your words, your thoughts, your arguments, than some right-wing podcaster, who may not even be real. I check every fact with multiple sources before I publish because I know both sides lie. But I have found that Harris mostly dodges and evades while Trump knowingly lies, and cares nothing about the impact (check out Springfield, OH and the FEMA response, both of which he continues to lie about).
I disagree with many of Kamala Harris’ policies, and I’ve written about some, but character should matter in a president, and Trump has lost his way (did you hear Trump’s campaign speech this week that included a ten-minute reminiscence about the size of Arnold Palmer’s manhood?) First, ugh. And second, huh?
And Trump cooked some fries this week at a McDonalds, where he would be unable to get a job because he could never pass a background check. But he’s looking good for president. And don’t forget to order a tee shirt commemorating his fry shift; he already has them for sale.
Jack, I got defensive because when I write something that I have thoroughly vetted, I always get some Steve Bannon-type podcast sent to me. Really? Is he broadcasting by writing from jail? I welcome feedback, but tell me what YOU think, and tell me why. I don’t care what Steve Bannon is lying about today.
I’ve said it before but let me add context. When Trump was elected (without my vote), I rooted for him, like I have rooted for every president. I wanted him to succeed. I hoped he would evolve. I watched him speak and hoped he’d be lucid, presidential.
But 99% of the time, while I hoped, he devolved into incoherent, vulgar, immature, threatening, name-calling, non-sensical attacks on everyone that ever disagreed with him. That trend has worsened as Trump has aged. His policies, which I keep hearing are great, seem to be “I can fix it on day-one.” News flash – that’s not a policy.
No, I never liked Biden. He is old (how old is Don-old?), and he is often befuddled, and even was in his younger years. I detest Democratic giveaways (I oppose Harris’ new home credit and Biden’s college loan giveaways, and I said so in a previous column). But MAGA people deflect anything negative about Trump because somehow, he holds power over them. I find it extremely disappointing that supposedly powerful political leaders and educated constituents continuously make excuses for the dangerous rhetoric that Trump spews or pass it off as “that’s just Trump.” That’s the point.
I am now a RINO because I hold the same values that I held 30 years ago. Mark Twain said, “In truth I care little about any party’s politics–the man behind it is the important thing.” Or woman, to bring it into this century.
What I am most sad about is that this election may confirm that Americans have decided that ethics no longer matter, morality is a weakness, lies are fine if they help you win, and that showing compassion makes you soft. It’s sad that my party says it wants to keep government out of my business, but bans books, suppresses voters, hides evidence, seeks to delay trials until after elections, and takes away rights.
It saddens me that my party jokes about Paul Pelosi being attacked with a hammer and then adds “maybe” he is gay. And the crowds laugh. Is that funny now? When did we get to that?
I abhor abortion but wonder why a few old white guys are so adamant about abolishing a 50-year-old right when some, including your leader, supported that right in the past. Is it politics? Hmmm.
I’m not gay or trans, but I continue to wonder why those same old white guys care so much that others are. As I said in a column once, “I’ve never been to a drag show, a monster truck rally, or Tulsa, OK. That’s because I choose not to go. But I don’t give a damn if someone else wants to.” My party of small government has their hands in a lot of people’s stuff.
We are a divided country. The MAGA cult did not believe any of what I wrote here last week, or they didn’t read because it isn’t FOX. And readers that agreed with my conclusions are aghast that Trump will probably win, and amazed that no Trump lie, or faux pas, has ever impacted Trump’s support.
I think Harris should win; if she does, I’ll complain about her policies for four years. I think Trump will win; if he does, I’ll be afraid to complain about anything.
Curt MacRae is a resident of Coldwater, MI, and publishes opinion columns regularly.
Tweets @curtmacrae — comments to rantsbymac@gmail.com
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