Now that both political parties have completed their conventions, presenting their candidates and supporters to the world, a distinct difference regarding the future has emerged.
The Republicans, led by former President Donald Trump, advise that Americans be worried and guarded, prepare for World War III, and completely overhaul the failing institutions that constitute our country and its democracy.
The Democrats, under the leadership of Vice President Kamala Harris, suggest that we choose a path forward that strengthens the institutions of our government rather than undermining them, including the rule of law, the practice of international cooperation, and broad and deep support for the middle class.
Trump’s warning of a grim, dystopian future seems designed to prompt us to vote for him so that he can save us from this apocalypse. Ironically, everything he predicts is either a result of his own policy proposals or an outright lie.
These are not difficult facts to check, at least for those of us who prefer facts before we form opinions. Violent crime is down significantly, nationwide. Most immigrants awaiting hearings on their request for asylum (who are “legal” by the way) do not arrive with criminal records and do not proceed to commit more crimes than native-born Americans.
Trump’s plan to round up and deport millions of “illegal immigrants” after confining them in detention facilities would cause innumerable problems, not that it is even feasible, much less Constitutional. Oh, and he’ll assign our military forces to handle this internal battle!
Inflation is another area where Trump misstates the facts and proposes a solution that would make the problem dramatically worse. In fact, inflation is now falling steadily to the point where the Federal Reserve Board is ready to begin dropping interest rates to stimulate the economy again. These decisions are made by experts who are exquisitely careful in managing our monetary policy.
Trump’s economic policy consists of a plan for a tariff of 10% on all imported goods, except those goods from China which will have a much higher tariff. I’m no fiscal genius, but even I can see how that will make goods cost more and be harder to get. But the idea is designed to appeal to the fantasy that Trump will make other countries pay us, like Mexico paid for the beautiful wall.
As for World War III, consider Trump’s stance on the two serious conflicts going on right now. He doesn’t like that we’re “giving” money to Ukraine, when in fact the bulk of our support is in the form of missiles, planes and ammunition that are keeping our factories humming.
He shows zero understanding of the purpose and structure of NATO, an organization designed to deter expanding wars, and has threatened to take the US out of the alliance so that Vladimir Putin and Russia can “do whatever the hell they want.”
In the Middle East, Trump has shown little interest in the fate of the Palestinians and believes that he can successfully advise Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel. His shallow knowledge of the complex situation would be laughable if it were not so dangerous. Do his supporters really believe he could walk into delicate negotiations and solve everything with his cartoonish demeanor?
In other words, World War III and the other horrors he predicts are much more likely to occur during another Trump administration, due to his naïve, uneducated and self-important view of the world.
When we turn to the future envisioned by Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, we can also base our assumptions on what has gone before.
Even though both candidates, especially Walz, were not well known prior to being nominated, there is a feeling of continuity with the Biden administration, partly due to the simple fact that Harris is Biden’s Vice President, and that he endorsed her immediately after he decided to step down as the Democratic candidate.
Like many Vice Presidents before her, she has not had a high profile but has been actively involved in Biden’s functioning as President. Therefore, the many, often underappreciated, accomplishments of Biden’s term are hers to stand on as well.
Of course, she brings her own energy and positive visions for the future and its possibilities, foremost among which is her belief in community and our obligation to reach out to help everyone who needs it, not just the ones who look like us and agree with us about everything. At the same time, she emphasizes her experience as a prosecutor and Attorney General to say she will be ready to hold anyone accountable who tries to put themselves above the law. Hers is no cartoonish demeanor.
The contrast between the two visions of the future couldn’t be greater.
For those Republicans who are turned off by Trump but can’t see themselves voting for a Democrat, I would suggest that you look at the big picture: if Trump can lose by a large enough margin that even the election-fraud people don’t have much wind in their sails, then perhaps Trump will finally shrivel up and blow away, or at least get out of politics and back into entertainment where he is most happy.
Then, in 2028, some decent and “normal” Republicans will have emerged from the ashes of the GOP and our future can keep unfolding in a way that we all can be a part of.
Susan Hull is a retired clinical psychologist, a horse trainer and an Independent voter. She knows we can’t control what happens in the future but believes we must show up and practice the Golden Rule with every creature we meet along the way.
