“As long as the world is turning and spinning, we’re gonna be dizzy and we’re gonna make mistakes.” Mel Brooks
As this blog is about forgiveness, allow me to start by asking for your forgiveness. Some of you have seen me tweet or post articles about my concerns of an American presidency under Donald Trump. Just to be clear, I have never posted a favourable (Canadian spelling) endorsement of his primary opponent – Hillary Clinton. Some of you have attempted to read between the lines and put words into my mouth – that is fine and that is your prerogative. I have nonetheless been against Trump – period. And now for asking forgiveness … I am not an American citizen.
Who am I to stick my Canadian and British nose into your very serious business of a national election?
Some Americans have encouraged my voice – and I thank you for that. But to those of you who are offended in any way, I do apologize for voicing an opinion into your election where I have no vote. But I will ask for your consistency. You will of course refrain from criticizing or showing support of any foreign governmental entity or election outside of your own national jurisdiction.
As you are aware, this has been an election, #Election2016, like no other. The acrimony, the name calling, the anger, the vitriolic accusations have all been an unremitting existence on the daily news and social media feeds flooding our brains and souls for months.
It has been reportedly causing anxiety, depression and as a recent The Toronto Star editorial quoted below says, it has also “ … led to an unprecedented wave of bigoted bullying in schools…” I for one will be glad when it is over, but fret what is yet to come.
I have tried to understand why approximately half of the American electorate are in favour of The Donald. The same goes for non-Americans who too favour his ascendancy to the highest office. I fear what is represented by the fact that so many of you seem to adhere to the clarion call to lockup #HillaryClinton for crimes not only where she has never been convicted but also never even charged. Is this the America we all know and dare say respect? How do you, the rational, intelligent and accomplished, many friends of mine, have the ability to look past the blatant and outright misogyny and degradation of the individual consistently coming from Trump’s mouth and “smartphone”? I have heard from some of you that it is for religious reasons that you support Trump despite your acknowledgement of his well-publicized and copious deficiencies.
Insofar as small “c” conservative politics / economics goes – most of you do realize that Trump has never been nor is he now a true conservative. He is however, sadly, YOUR GUY! And you are likely to #vote for YOUR GUY. Even House Majority Leader Paul Ryan has reluctantly come out and said he has voted for #TrumpPence and every Republican on his ballot. That is a sad state of affairs when intelligent people park their brains at the door because of partisan politics. Surely there are some exceptional Republican candidates on the down-ballot ticket but likewise some are not.
But as I alluded to earlier, my overarching concern is for November 9th and the next four years. I fear for the demagoguery that I opine is one #DonaldTrump. No other Republican candidate would have whooped up such insanity, as has this man.
I cannot better articulate the distress felt by so many than by the words of that Toronto Star editorial of November 4th 2016.
“Trump has unleashed a flood of nativist feeling and outright racism that will pollute American political life for a long time to come. His attacks on Mexicans, immigrants, Latinos, Muslims and others have already led to an unprecedented wave of “bigoted bullying” in schools, according to one survey. He’s given public permission for the worst kind of prejudice, always simmering below the surface of American public life. Once released, this cannot easily be put back in the bottle.”
Naturally we support one side over another. Too often we fail to see the other perspective. I too in this election am extremely challenged on that front. I admit it. Normalcy – a term coined by then Presidential candidate and eventual victor Warren Harding in 1920, is a state in which I yearn we can ascend. So when this election is done, and regardless of who wins, I hope we all have the desire and intestinal fortitude to reinvigorate relationships with; friends, confidants, colleagues, associates, casual social media followers and family members.
Now more than ever, wise words of almost a century ago ring true today.
“America’s present need is not heroics but healing; not nostrums but normalcy; not revolution but restoration.” Warren G. Harding