My Thoughts After A Text From A Respected Friend. A Reflection on the 2024 Election

Hello All,

Someone I like and RESPECT sent a text this morning that really bothered me. 

"I know you all think Kamala is horrible. I’m not a fan either but I think she isn’t as bad as Trump.

This is the beginning of a Facist (SIC) Society. Good men and women think that someone deplorable will make their lives better / easier and they can put up with the unsavory behavior if it doesn’t hurt them directly……"

After reading that text it hit me hard. For a few minutes I started to wonder whether I had made a decision with my support of President Trump. Many thoughts went through my head and wanted to record some of them so we could begin a conversation / discussion so we can all learn from each other. I have changed my position on many issues over my 54 years. I would like to say I am always 100% correct but alas, I am not. As I get older I know that there are a lot of things I don't know. I think Mark Twain said it the best:

"It’s not what you don’t know that gets you into trouble.
It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so."

Misconceptions or false beliefs can be more dangerous than a lack of knowledge. That is what led me down this "thought tunnel".

Let me discuss a few things: Deplorability (if that's a word) and Fascism 

Deplorability:

Using the term "deplorable" in relation to Donald Trump is nothing new. It was first used during the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign when Hillary Clinton referred to Trump's supporters as a "basket of deplorables". She characterized Trump voters as holding racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, and Islamophobic views. I embrace the term "deplorable" as a badge of honor.

I can look at both sides of this argument. As someone who dislikes Trump, my friend is correct to point out:

• His rhetoric often seems inflammatory and divisive. 
• He made statements questioning election integrity (as it turns out, He was correct).
• His handling of sensitive documents raised concerns. 
• His comments about (some) women and minorities offended many - INCLUDING MANY TRUMP SUPPORTERS.
• The January 6th events troubled many Americans.

As someone who supports Trump, I can see the other side of the argument:

• The economy performed well during his presidency
• He strengthened border security and had the lowest illegal immigration in modern history.
• He renegotiated trade deals to the benefit of America and American manufacturing.
• The media and political establishment were unfairly biased against him. 
• Trump kept America out of new foreign conflicts.
• Many investigations against trump "appear" to be politically motivated.
• He advocated for American workers and businesses first
• To many Trump supporters the criminal charges seem like political persecution - INCLUDING MANY HARRIS SUPPORTERS.
• AND TO ME, Trump's direct communication style resonates because I am tired of political correctness & political speech.

Next Fascism:

We all learned in high school history classes that Fascism is a far-right, authoritarian ultranationalist political ideology characterized by dictatorial power, forcible suppression of opposition, strong regimentation of society and the economy, and often a belief in the superiority of a particular race or nation.

Key features of fascism include:

• Authoritarianism: Centralized control by a single leader or party, with limited political pluralism.
• Nationalism: An intense focus on national pride and identity, often at the expense of other nations or groups.
• Suppression of Dissent: Opponents and critics are silenced through censorship, intimidation, or violence.
• Militarism: A strong emphasis on military power and the potential for militaristic aggression.
• Social Darwinism: An ideology that promotes the idea of survival of the fittest, often leading to discrimination and exclusion of certain groups.

 Regarding Donald Trump, I have not seen any evidence of Fascist tendencies. 

But I can look to several examples of policies or actions taken by the Biden-Harris Administration that were authoritarian (remember how I defined it above Authoritarianism: Centralized control by a single leader or party, with limited political pluralism): 

• Vaccine Mandates: The administration implemented mandates requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for federal employees and contractors, as well as for companies with 100 or more employees. I think this infringes on personal liberties and choice.

• Censorship and Misinformation Policies: There have been efforts to combat misinformation regarding COVID-19 and other issues, which I believe can lead to censorship of alternative viewpoints and a chilling effect on free speech.

• Expansion of Surveillance: The Biden administration has continued and expanded some surveillance practices, especially related to national security and law enforcement, raising my concerns about privacy and civil liberties.

• Use of Executive Orders: President Biden issued a significant number of executive orders, which some argue undermine the legislative process and concentrate power in the executive branch. Examples include orders on climate change, immigration, and labor policies.
  
  While executive orders are a standard presidential tool, I argue that the extent and frequency of their use by Biden reflect a tendency to bypass Congress and establish policies unilaterally. He even went as far as to use Executive Orders to specifically circumvent direct rulings of the Supreme Court. 
  
  I have observed that President Biden has used various methods to respond to or circumvent direct rulings of the Supreme Court. Here are some key approaches I’ve noted:
  

  - Biden issued numerous executive orders to implement policies without needing Congressional approval. For instance, he signed an executive order to reverse the Trump-era ban on transgender individuals serving in the military, despite challenges from the Court.
  
  - The administration directed federal agencies to create rules that align with its policy goals. A clear example is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) moving to reestablish regulations on greenhouse gas emissions, even after the Supreme Court's decision in West Virginia v. EPA limited the agency's authority. 
  
  - Biden pushed for legislation to address issues raised by the Court. For example, note his efforts to promote the Women’s Health Protection Act aimed at protecting abortion rights in response to the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization
  
  - Those were even before we get to the student loan forgiveness scam. In his last State of the Union address, President Biden addressed the Supreme Court's ruling on student loan forgiveness by emphasizing his commitment to moving forward with his plans despite the Court's decision. He then went again the rulings of the court and forgave student loans anyway. THAT IS AUTHORITARIAN.
  
  BUT I DIGRESS, 
  

• Handling of Protests: The administration's responses to protests, particularly surrounding issues like racial justice and police reform, have drawn my criticism regarding the balance between maintaining order and respecting the right to protest. As far as Republican protests, they are always evil. My friend brought up January 6th and talked about how it was an attempt to overthrow the government and the "peaceful transition of power". And used that as a reason NOT to support President Trump.  
  

  I am old enough to remember that on October 18, 2023, a large group of protesters, many advocating for Palestinian rights and opposing the war in Gaza, stormed the U.S. Capitol and shut down the normal functioning off the government. This protest was part of a larger movement responding to the conflict that escalated after the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.
  
  During the October 18, 2023, "mostly peaceful protest", several police officers were injured. The specific number of injured officers and details about the incidents varied in reports but anywhere between 10 and 20 police officers were injured during clashes with protesters. Compare this to the reporting surrounding the January 6th "Insurrection". 
  
   I found it noteworthy that there wasn't a strong, unified denunciation from Democratic leaders regarding the storming of the Capitol on October 18th, 2023.

• DHS Disinformation Governance Board: TheBiden-Harris Administration created this board that was aimed at combating online disinformation. This was a government overreach & censorship of free speech.

Now, my arguments against labeling him as a fascist often focus on several points:

I believe that Trump was elected through democratic processes, and I’ve seen him face challenges from various political figures within a pluralistic system. This contrasts sharply with the typical fascist rejection of democratic norms. For instance, I remember how he had to contend with a Democratic majority in the House of Representatives during his first two years in office. He did not just use Executive Orders to circumvent Congress. This is in stark contrast to the Biden Harris Administration. 

While I’ve heard a lot of criticism regarding Trump’s rhetoric and actions, I’ve also noticed that he hasn’t eliminated political opposition or established a one-party state, which is a hallmark of fascist regimes. I recall how he faced impeachment twice and how various candidates from both parties continued to campaign against him. Let''s not forget the chants during his first run for President of "Lock Her Up" regarding Hillary Clinton. You know what didn't happen? He didn't lock her up or even have the Department of Justice investigate her criminal misdeeds. Unlike President Biden, who weaponized the Department of Justice against Donald Trump.  

Despite his attempts to undermine certain institutions, I find it important to note that the U.S. judicial system and other checks and balances have remained functional. For example, when he tried to challenge the 2020 election results, the courts upheld the rule of law, rejecting those challenges. 

The U.S. is still a country with a multitude of voices and opinions. I see ongoing debates and activism against Trump’s policies, such as the widespread protests following his administration's immigration policies. This vibrant dissent is unlike the suppression of alternative viewpoints seen in fascist governments.

To bring this to a close, while I understand some people view Trump’s leadership style as authoritarian or divisive, I see the structures of democracy and pluralism in the U.S. as fundamentally different from classical fascism.

I am sure more will come to mind later but I wanted to at least address his concerns. 

Stay Tuned For More Thoughts...... and thank you for taking the time to read this.

Wes