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THREAT TO OUR DEMOCRACY

Jothi Published on 24 May, 2020
THREAT TO OUR DEMOCRACY

President Donald Trump is the 3rd President in history to be impeached and the first President to run for re-election even after being impeached by the Congress for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.  Trump was not removed as the Republican majority in the Senate dismissed it without a trial.  Abuse of power is a serious crime and obstruction is impeding investigations of alleged crimes. 

We must be aware of the consequences of reelecting someone like Trump whose words, actions, and character may be a threat to our democracy

Nation in Crisis

Our nation and the world are facing the biggest public health and economic crisis of our lifetime with the COVID pandemic.  Unfortunately, under Trump leadership, America has the most cases of COVID and more deaths than any other country in the world.  America’s failure in the handling of COVID-19 is directly related to failure of Trump’s leadership.  The administration ignored the warnings given in late 2019, downplayed it and dismissed it as a Democratic Party hoax.  He dismantled all the pandemic readiness system that was established under Obama administration and cut funding for CDC. In effect, the administration left us unprepared when the tsunami of this pandemic reached our shores.  

The Danger

History says that democracies face greater threats when a nation is going through an unprecedented crisis like we have now.  

Our Democracy is in danger as Trump behaves like dictators.  Signs include the following: discrediting and attacking media or anyone who criticizes him, spreading conspiracy and misinformation by his supporters, asking people to go against the recommendations of his own agencies, large number of firing of senior officials, and attacking political opponents and creating division among the people.  We have seen armed Trump supporters, protesting lockdowns, in several Democratic run state capitals brandishing machine guns.

Our Responsibility as concerned citizens

Be informed and vigilant to reliable and credible mainstream news media.  Have you ever wondered why media was never fake until Trump came on the scene?  Do you really think the media is only unfair to Trump?  They are doing their job to bring news and videos of what comes out of Trump’s own mouth that we can judge.

We must have a sense of urgency that this election is the most important election in our lifetime.  Each one of us must talk to our relatives and friends about these important issues and encourage each other to register on time and make the extra effort to vote in large numbers on November 3rd.

Our goal is not to convert hard core Trump worshippers as our time may be better spend engaging with those who are in our sphere of influence.   Be bold and do not be afraid to talk about current events and elections.  Unfortunately, vocal Trump cult influence silent majority with misinformation, Trump rhetoric and insults and we should not allow our silence to mean acceptance of Trump.  If we give Trump another 4 years, there are chances that he will behave like a dictator.  Unprecedented crisis like the current one is the breeding ground for political upheaval.  We all need to fight to save our Democracy.

First let us go over some basics and separate party ideologies and candidate trust credibility, character, and competence.

Political Ideologies

Far left ideologies and socialism AND far right fascism and “Trumpism” are not viable political ideologies because extremes on either side create chaos, confusion, dissension, and political gridlock that gets nothing done as we have seen in the last 3 ½ years of Trump.

A common misinformation spread by “Trumpets” is that Democrats are socialists, for open borders, pro-abortion, anti-God, and for welfare state.  That is a misconception spread by the right wing to create division.  Do not confuse that to be the party’s ideology because of some few vocal socialists.  A balanced moderate system of capitalism with a compassionate welfare program that promotes and gives incentive to work instead of it being a free handout that promotes laziness at the same time give incentive for businesses to create profits without overburdened by taxes.  Business taxes should never be more than 50% of gross profit or else it takes away incentive to grow and prosper. On economy, trickledown economics of Republicans by giving tax breaks to the wealthy 2% have not shown to fuel economy as much as giving the other 98% tax breaks that promotes consumer spending which is the fuel to speed the economic engine.  Only major thing that Trump has done is to give the tax break to the wealthy.

Focus on supporting candidates with moderate views and not extremes of either side.

Issues:

Majority of moderate democrats also support curbing illegal immigration, but with bipartisan and technological solutions and not the big Trump vanity wall.  We want an improvement of the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare, we need pandemic response team, we want improved education, economic prosperity for all and not just wealthy elite.  We want environmental regulations and science based solutions to global warming. We want control of automatic weapons without taking away 2nd amendment rights.  We want national security and defense and maintain a leadership role internationally without sacrificing domestic issues. We need to take care of the poor by promoting education and incentive for work and provide livable wages.  We need to protect social security.  We need to separate church and state and protect freedom of religion for all religions. 

We are not for Islamic state or Christian evangelical state.  We believe that morality is personal based on their faith and cannot be legislated unless that affects other citizens.  Giving rights to LGBTQ is a civil right and allowing a woman’s right to her own body with availability of safe, but limited abortion is medically necessary.  It is not government’s role to punish the woman because their decision does not affect other citizens.  It is a right that has been around for 47 years.  Although these so called “moral” issues may be against my own personal beliefs, individual’s personal choices and lifestyles are none of my business if it does not harm or negatively affect other’s rights and freedom.  Even as born again Christian myself, my morality shall not stand in the way of another person’s civil liberties, who does not follow my faith.  I disagree with Evangelical brothers and sisters on this matter and I do not believe their view is even what God wants because God do not want to take away our free will as it is given by God himself.  He wants us to choose Him and choose to do the right thing.  Government cannot legislate on these moral issues.  If so, then why not make it illegal to commit adultery and punish the adulterer? 

We believe in the free press as essential for democracy and protected by Constitution and we must continue to protect it.  Mainstream media that has been around for ages and backed by large corporations cannot publish fake news or they will be sued to oblivion.  They can be biased as CNN is left biased and Fox news is far right Trump biased.  Trump has attacked the media like no other and his supporters and far right thrive on conspiracy theories, lies, and propaganda to influence the gullible mass.  We need control and legislation for the onslaught of misinformation on social media and other outlets like YouTube video that are doctored.  Why are right wing people more apt to believe these “gossips” and slander that are posted by anonymous or right wing, and not the mainstream media?  Why people believe Trump just because he says, “Fake News.”  We never had “Fake News” until this fake President.  These misinformation and conspiracy theories gave rise to anti-government and anti-establishment support of both far right Trump and far left support.

Then there is the fear of globalization and the one world leader that derived from Evangelical Christians who use fear of Anti-Christ to fuel their right wing agenda.  True believer accepts God’s will and if an Anti-Christ is meant to rise as per Bible, it will.  They claim that the vaccine using the microchip is the sign of the beast.  We cannot plan and live to fight against those forces that are beyond us.  God wants us to use our God given intellect and discernment of right and wrong and just trust Him.  Do not create stories and theories that most likely are false.  Beware of false prophets

Character of President:

The Office of the Presidency is the highest and most honorable position.  It is a great responsibility to be taken with utmost people.  Anyone who still supports him after seeing the 3 years of circus in the White House resonates his bigotry, hatred or are brainwashed by conspiracy theories and misinformation. 

Christians who support Trump who have no remorse or humility or a sign for love of God is taking away the Christian witness and makes mockery of Christianity.  Trump just happens to make a deal with the Christian pastors on these issues and the wealthy pastors influence their flock for their financial benefit.  Trump’s rhetoric is dangerous.

In the last 3 ½ years, the Trump Administration has been plagued with scandals, investigations, firings, indictments, nepotism, cronyism, chaos, like no other administration.  He has already been impeached by House and the Senate did not do their job of having a fair trial with witnesses, instead chose to dismiss removing Trump from the Presidency as the Senate has the power.  His appointment of Trump loyalist and cronies into other branches of government has weakened our system of checks and balances and became a threat to our Democracy.  No, most media are not fake, take away right bias Fox News and left biased CNN.  Trump calls it fake because it brings true news about him that makes him look bad.  Therefore, he discredits and attacks professional and ethical journalists bringing us important news.

When it comes to Presidential candidates, we need to look at more than just policies, their character also matters.

Conclusion

To the silent majority who are reading this article I urge you to be brave and not be silent.  Do not allow our silence to mean acceptance and then look at the vocal Trump supporters to mean they must be right and sway our opinion.  Be vigilant and informed and think independently and vote this November in mass numbers at all cost influencing as many to stand up and save our Democracy by voting out Trump.  Vice President Joe Biden who was a public servant for over 40 years and served 8 years as Vice President with no scandals.  He has the humility, compassion, personality, character to put public interest above himself and to work across party lines with moderate political views that is right for our country at this time of chaos and confusion.  We need our nation to heal and we need to know that we can sleep in peace when we can trust that our nation is in good hands without fear of evil of a possible Trump dictatorship.

God Bless America.

 

THREAT TO OUR DEMOCRACY
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Boby Varghese 2020-05-24 12:34:24
Trump was impeached because he defeated Clinton. Last December and January were impeachment months. That is when, Chinese Virus came. If we have Obama or Biden as our President, they will never stop flights from China and at least 5 million will be dead. Trump is the best commander-in-chief in our war against the Virus. He is doing a better job than FDR during world war. Democrats are socialists, pro abortionists, for open borders and for welfare states. There is no misconception.
ഇനി രക്ഷയില്ല 2020-05-24 13:29:51
ട്രംപിനെക്കാൾ മൂന്ന് മില്യൺ വോട്ടാണ് ഹില്ലരിക്ക് കിട്ടിയത് . ലൈസോൾക്ളോറോക്സ്ഹൈഡ്രോക്ളോറോക്സിൻ അടിച്ചതിന്റെ ഫലമാണ് ഇങ്ങനെ പറഞ്ഞത് തന്നെ പറഞ്ഞോണ്ടിരിക്കുന്നത് . തലമണ്ട പുകഞ്ഞുപോയതാണ്. ഇനി രക്ഷയില്ല
Anthappan 2020-05-24 13:33:13
Go and learn more about FDR before you compare him with the impeached president in WH.
Anthappan 2020-05-25 00:04:39
First of all, kudos to the writer. American democracy was never threatened or never will be threatened. But, people like Trump can do lots of damage. Joseph McCarthy tried to subvert American Democracy by injecting fear of communism and spreading lies. And, eventually, people rejected him. Trump for some unknown reason was able to win in 2016. He is trying to use the same playbook to win the election in the upcoming election also. But it looks like everything is backfiring on him. People are found out how ill-informed he was when he made statements like, 'injecting disinfectant' would help to kill coronavirus and taking 'hydroxychloroquine is good as preventive medicine for coronavirus. Nobody can trust this guy an iota in what he is telling. He probably may not be taking hydroxychloroquine but lying to impress people as a courageous leader. He is a coward to his core and may not be sleeping at night. The dark and swollen part under his eye tells that clearly. He may be getting up in the night, thinking that somebody is out there to get him. Nobody can cheat everyone for a long time. He is a failed businessman and tax evader. When everyone pays tax, he is trying to live and have a good time on taxpayers' money. He then encourages people to do the same. Who in the hell would give Rush Limbaugh the Rightwing supremacist the lifetime award? Limbaugh was looking around when his name was called and could not even believe it. He even did not forget to sign on the stimulus check for which he never made any contribution by paying tax. The guy who says that Democrats are trying to make this country a third world is definitely from his base. He may be having low self-esteem or self-respect or lacking confidence. Brother, this country survived thugs like Trump for the past 240 years. Don't inject Lysol or swallow hydroxychloroquine and write like this. This poisonous stuff will kill you. Practice some critical thinking and build up self-confidence. Trump is a self-absorbed man who thinks about him. America survived the greatest depression under a great leader FDR. Trump is no match for him. People made FDR president for 12 years, consecutively. People must be crazy to do that to Trump. He made the situation worse for America and 40 million people lost their job. The best thing for him and the country is to resign along with his cabinet. Vote anyone you like other than Trump. Let us put the bad time behind us and move forward by voting the right candidate into power to guide this great nation.
renji 2020-05-24 22:42:32
Is it incredible that everyone wanted to come to America because it was a success story. Now they are here, they want to make it into a third world country! I dont know about this woman! She should consider going back to the country of her dreams! let America be America.
Jose 2020-05-25 12:05:02
As I said before, politicians are a necessary evil. Whether we like it or not we have to live with them. After living in this country for many years, let me express my views on this issue of who is good and bad. You are free to make your own judgement as we have seen in this article. Up until the unfortunate and unexpected emergence of the "corona crisis", this country was going forward under the leadership of president Trump. He has the guts to go forward with a vision which is to make America great again. So, If we want to go forward with renewed energy and optimism, support President Trump. On the other hand, if we want to see this country go backward to a third world country standard, elect someone else. If one is uncomfortable living in this country, you are free to leave and live in any country of your choice. No one is forcing to stay. The freedom you enjoy in this country is such that you can even bite the hands that feed you. I hope you returned the stimulus check back to the IRS. Stay in one boat instead of two.
JACOB 2020-05-25 13:36:26
I have seen this in immigrants from many countries including India. They see the opportunities and higher standard of living in America. They come through US education. job, family visa etc. America gives all the opportunities to succeed. I heard some H1Bs saying, I wish I could get a green card quicker by bribing somebody. They all got their cards and US citizenship. Then the issue is "America is not a good country." What changed? Many want America like their old country where they could get things done by seeing the local politician (I guess). They also try to bring their parents here and get them on food stamps, Social security and medicare. Then again, America is not a good country. "We wish we have socialism in America." Not a single one is returning to India.
Pass it 2020-05-25 13:52:49
The BUFFETT Rule Let's see what people pressure is all about. Salary of retired US Presidents . . . . .. . . . . .. . $180,000 FOR LIFE. Salary of House/Senate members . . . . .. . . . $174,000 FOR LIFE. This is stupid Salary of Speaker of the House . . . . .. . . . . $223,500 FOR LIFE. This is really stupid Salary of Majority / Minority Leaders . . .. . . . .$193,400 FOR LIFE Stupid Average Salary of a teacher . . . . . . .. . . . . .. $40,065 Average Salary of a deployed Soldier . . .. . . .. $38,000 Here’s where the cuts should be made! Warren Buffett, in a recent interview with CNBC, offers one of the best quotes about the debt ceiling: "I could end the deficit in five minutes," he told CNBC. "You just pass a law that says that anytime there is a deficit of more than 3% of GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible for re-election." The 26th Amendment (granting the right to vote for 18 year-olds) took only three months and eight days to be ratified! Why? Simple! The people demanded it. That was in 1971 - before computers, e-mail, cell phones, etc. Of the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven (7) took one (1) year or less to become the law of the land - all because of public pressure. Warren Buffett is asking each addressee to forward this email to a minimum of twenty people on their address list; in turn ask each of those to do likewise. In three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message. This is one idea that really should be passed around. Congressional Reform Act of 2022 1. No Tenure / No Pension. A Congressman / woman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they're out of office. 2. Congress (past, present, & future) participates in Social Security. All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people. It may not be used for any other purpose. 3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do. 4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%. 5. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people. 6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people. 7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen/women are void effective 3/1/22. The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen/women. Congress made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s), then go home and go back to work. If each person contacts a minimum of twenty people, then it will only take three days for most people in the U.S. to receive the message. It's time! THIS IS HOW YOU FIX CONGRESS! If you agree, pass it on
മതഭ്രാന്ത് അമേരിക്കന്‍ സ്റ്റയില്‍ 2020-05-25 19:09:18
മതഭ്രാന്ത് വിതക്കുന്ന വിപത്തുകൾ # 1 { ആൻഡ്രൂ.സി } അമേരിക്കയിലെ ക്രിസ്ത്യൻ തീവ്രവാദികളിലെ ഒരു വിഭാഗം ആണ് - അന്തിമ സമയക്കാർ - ട്രംപും യേശുവും നയിക്കുന്ന രക്തരൂക്ഷിതമായ യുദ്ധത്തെ അന്തിമസമയക്കാർ സന്തോഷത്തോടെ പ്രതീക്ഷിക്കുന്നു ഒരു ഭ്രാന്തി എന്ന് സർട്ടിഫൈ ചെയ്യാവുന്ന ട്രമ്പിൻ്റെ ‘ആത്മീയ ഉപദേഷ്ടാവ്‘ പോള വൈറ്റ് പ്രകാരം, ഏതോ ഭ്രാന്തൻ എഴുതിയ വെളിപാട് പുസ്തകത്തിൽ കാണുന്ന പ്രകാരം ഉടൻ തന്നെ, ‘റാപ്ച്ചറിലേക്ക്’ { സത്യ വിശ്വാസികൾ ആകാശത്തിലേക്കു ഉയർന്നു യേശുവിൻ്റെ കൂടെ ചേരുന്ന അവസ്ഥ } നയിക്കുന്ന ഒരു യുദ്ധത്തിന്റെ മുന്നണി ഉണ്ടാകും. മുകളിൽ നിന്നും യേശു ഇവളെ അത് അറിയിച്ചു എന്നാണ് ഇവൾ പറയുന്നത്. -'' ഇന്നലെ രാത്രി ദൈവം എന്റെയടുക്കൽ വന്നു, സ്വർണ്ണവും വജ്രങ്ങളും കൊണ്ട് നിർമ്മിച്ച കുതിരപ്പുറത്ത് ട്രംപ്, യേശുവിനോടൊപ്പം സവാരി ചെയ്യുന്നതിന്റെ ഒരു ദർശനം കാണിച്ചുതന്നു. ഇസ്‌ലാമിനെതിരായ പോരാട്ടത്തിൽ അമേരിക്ക ഇസ്രായേലിനൊപ്പം നിൽക്കുന്നതിനാൽ, അർമഗെദ്ദോനിൽ { ലോക അവസാനത്തിനുമുമ്പ്ള്ള അവസാന യുദ്ധക്കളം} ട്രംപ് നിർണായക പങ്ക് വഹിക്കുമെന്നാണ് ഇതിനർത്ഥം. ട്രംപിന് എന്തെങ്കിലും സൈനിക പരിശീലനം ഉണ്ടോ? [അദ്ദേഹം ഒരു ഡ്രാഫ്റ്റ് ഡോഡ്ജറായിരുന്നു.] ട്രമ്പ് എപ്പോഴെങ്കിലും ഒരു കുതിരപ്പുറത്ത് കയറിയിട്ടുണ്ടോ? കവു ബോയ്സ് ഫോർ ട്രംപ് എന്ന വെള്ളക്കാരുടെ വർഗീയ സംഘടന ഇപ്രകാരം വിശ്വസിക്കുന്നു . അവരുടെ കുതിരകൾക്കു അവരേക്കാൾ ബുദ്ധിശക്തി ഉണ്ട് എന്ന് അനുമാനിക്കാം. എന്തായാലും, ദൈവം പോള വൈറ്റിനോട് സംസാരിച്ച അതേ സമയം, യുഎസ് ടെലിഇവാഞ്ചലിസ്റ്റ്- ജാക്ക് വാൻ- ജനുവരി 10 ന് ടെലിവിഷൻ പ്രഭാഷണം നടത്തി: ''ഇത് ലോകത്തിലെ ഏറ്റവും രക്തരൂക്ഷിതമായ യുദ്ധമായിരിക്കും. 200 മൈൽ ദൂരം കുതിരകളുടെ കടിഞാൺ പൊക്കത്തിൽ രക്തം ഒഴുകും.'' എട്ട് ദിവസത്തിന് ശേഷം, 89 കാരനായ ജാക്ക് വാൻ മരിച്ചു. ഇയാൾ സ്വർഗ്ഗ സേനയോടു ചേർന്ന് എന്നാണ് പള്ളിക്കാരുടെ ഭാഷ്യം. -''70 വർഷത്തിലേറെ വിശ്വസ്തതയോടെ ശുശ്രൂഷയിൽ സേവനമനുഷ്ഠിച്ച അനുഗൃഹീതനായ ജാക് വാനേ രക്ഷകനും കർത്താവുമായ യേശു ആണ് സ്വർഗത്തിലേക്ക് സ്വാഗതം ചെയ്തത്.'' ഇന്ന് അമേരിക്കൻ ക്രിസ്തുമതത്തിൽ പലതരം ഭ്രാന്തൻമാരും ഭ്രാന്തൻ ഗ്രൂപ്പുകളും വളരെയധികം ഉണ്ട്. എന്നാൽ 2011 ൽ; ജാക് വാൻ, ട്രിനിറ്റി ബ്രോഡ്കാസ്റ്റിംഗ് നെറ്റ്‌വർക്കിൽ (ടിബിഎൻ) നടത്തിയ ബ്രോഡ് കാസ്റ്റിൽ തൻ്റെ ഭ്രാന്ത് വളരെയധികം തെളിയിച്ചു . ഇസ്‌ലാമിനെതിരെ ശക്തമായ നിലപാട് സ്വീകരിക്കാത്തതിന്റെ പേരിൽ അദ്ദേഹം മറ്റ് ക്രിസ്ത്യൻ മിനിസ്റ്റെർസ്സ്സിനെ ആക്രമിക്കാൻ തുടങ്ങി… മെഗാചർച്ച് പാസ്റ്റർമാരായ റിക്ക് വാറൻ, റോബർട്ട് ഷുള്ളർ എന്നിവർ മുസ്ലീം ഗ്രൂപ്പുകളുമായി സംസാരിച്ചിരുന്നു. ക്രിസ്തുമതവും ഇസ്ലാമും അല്ലെങ്കിൽ 'ക്രിസ്ലാമും' ലയിപ്പിക്കുന്നത് രഹസ്യമായി ഇവർ പ്രോത്സാഹിപ്പിക്കുകയാണെന്ന് ജാക് വാൻ പറഞ്ഞു. എ പ്പിസോഡ് പ്രക്ഷേപണം ചെയ്യാൻ ടിബിഎൻ വിസമ്മതിക്കുകയും ജാക് വാൻ നെറ്റ്‌വർക്കിൽ നിന്ന് വേർപെടുകയും ഇസ്ലാമിന് എതിരായി പ്രഷോഭണം തുടരുകയും ചെയ്തു. ഇത്തരം പ്രവണത ഒറ്റപ്പെട്ട ഭ്രാന്തൻ ജൽപ്പനങ്ങൾ അല്ല. അമേരിക്കയിലെ ഏകദേശം 20+ % ആൾക്കാരുടെ മനോഭാവം ആണ്. ഇവർ ട്രംപിനെ പിന്താങ്ങുന്നു എന്നത് മാല പടക്കത്തിന് തീ കൊളുത്തിയതുപോലെ വളരെ അപകടകരം തന്നെ. - ആൻഡ്രു .സി. [തുടരും]
മലയാളത്തില്‍ ടൈപ്പ് ചെയ്യാന്‍ ഇവിടെ ക്ലിക്ക് ചെയ്യുക