Two weeks ago there were two opinions in The Valley Reporter that stood out regarding the election. One explained the reasons for a vote. They were jobs, inflation, housing costs, food and gas prices. There were probably others for this person as well.
The other opinion explained the failings of the candidate. They were numerous convictions for civil and criminal offenses, lack of a moral center, admires dictators, has a history of misogyny, is a convicted sex offender, plans to gut the federal government and shows Nazi leanings and preferences.
The issues expressed and accountability for them, while not mine, are certainly part of elections. We make our judgments in various ways and rely on sources of information, which these days are numerous and in many ways very dishonest and manipulative. It’s tougher to glean honest data and know where it’s derived.
But the truth is out there, it exists.
The failings of the candidate are well known, well vetted, and on display for all of us to see. Yes, this is true. “Issues” shrugs off the criticism of the candidate as “trivial,” as well as the likeness to Hitler.
It’s the issues!
Yet, we have a disturbing person about to be president again.
This leads me to ask what other roles for this candidate would be embraced?
Would a person with these characteristics be welcomed as a son-in-law or a boyfriend knocking at the door to take a daughter to the prom? How about a business partner? A spouse? Would a vote for the local select board be OK? What if the opposing party was running a candidate like him? Is a person like this fit to be a teacher? How do teachers explain how such a horribly flawed person can become president? I have granddaughters who know his history of sexual abuse and predation. How can this be explained and rationalized? How would the “issues” writer explain this to his grandkids?
Our nation is no stranger to candidates with some moral failures. This year, however, we have a candidate with abject and very disturbing failures. And horrible plans.
I accept that paying attention to the issues is crucial.
What’s just so unfathomable, perplexing, and downright terrifying is the apparent unwillingness of tens of millions of voters to expect any moral and ethical quality for a presidential candidate.
This is not trivial.
Unfit for anything except president. How about America in twilight rather than morning? Or perhaps America in mourning.
Clark Amadon
Moretown
