Election 2024: What Can We Agree On?

Hello Friend.  Thank you for your recent Facebook post on the 2024 presidential election.   I agree fully with the claims in your opening paragraph as far as it relates to American government and its founding principles.  For example, you refer to our “system of government” which unusual, having survived nearly 250 years.  I decided to respond to your post in detail while hoping that we can maintain your anonymity, if you wish, while giving your thoughts and mine a larger audience.  Meanwhile, I hope to remain one of your “conservative friends.”

Protect Separation of Powers
To begin, I will assume that we can agree that a key to America's longevity is the commitment of our leaders to respect and maintain the “separation of powers” with three independent federal branches; namely, judicial, executive, and legislative. But sadly, the federal separation of powers has been challenged in recent years by threats leveled at Supreme Court justices who have held conservative interpretations of our Constitution—threats leveled directly at justices seated in Congress during State of the Union speeches, by rioters outside the homes of justices, and by efforts to “pack the court” with additional justices to “legislate” a liberal progressive social agenda.

There were also efforts by U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in collaboration with the current Federal Department of Justice to remove or limit “presidential immunity from criminal prosecution for conduct alleged to involve official acts.”  [See Trump v. United States, HERE.]  Contrary to the notion that Donald Trump as president would “become a dictator,” the Supreme Court upheld “presidential immunity” which our founders had established to prevent the executive branch from becoming powerless against the encroachment by the separate powers of the legislative and judicial branches. [See SCOTUS decision HERE.] 

Therefore, in answer to those who believe Trump would “become a dictator” in his second term, couldn’t we agree that as long as our three branches of government are mutually constrained by the Constitution, there is little danger of any president literally becoming a dictator, even during situations like the recent pandemic when unprecedented powers were exerted by the federal government to control our coming and going’s.  During this time, President Trump blocked immigration from China and cooperated with Anthony Fauci in marshalling resources to prevent and treat those infected by the virus.  Interestingly, Dr. Fauci was an unelected official given great power but whose motives and recommendations in retrospect are now quite questionable.

Protect Our Borders
Next you refer to “our nation and its peoples” which to me would include a geographic area defined on the map by borders.  Historically, law enforcement of a controlled immigration system at our borders has been the basis for civic order in our nation.  As you know, our immigration system has allowed us to become a “nation of immigrants,” a rich melting pot that has welcomed the great masses of many different ethnic groups and nationalities to enter our borders—and, to enter legally with a sense of pride in becoming true citizens with opportunity to become successful through hard work as individuals who assimilate into American culture, salute our flag, learn and celebrate our history, and enjoy our customs.  But, as you know, the Biden-Harris administration threw off the controls on immigration under the Trump administration by executive order which has allowed millions to flood our borders, towns, and cities as lawbreakers, many of whom do not respect or want to adopt our American values—i.e. as you wrote, “values above all that are greater than greed or fear or resentment or revenge.” 

Comparing Performance
I also agree with the value you place on our U.S. Constitution which “prioritizes the worth of the individual, provides for free expression, opportunity, and freedom of religion.”   Assuming we can agree on these qualities and principles as being worth holding onto, the question becomes, “Which presidential ticket is the most likely one to preserve them?”  Somewhat uniquely, both opposing presidential candidates have shown us their leadership philosophy, skills, and accomplishments in their respective 4-year terms.  Of course, to judge between the Trump-Pence and Biden-Harris administrations, we need to sort through the biases of the news media (e.g. Fox News and Newsmax versus CNN and CNBC) which portray Donald Trump and Kamala Harris in different lights.  Some happenings are more difficult to interpret than others, especially because both sides have spoken rashly (e.g. Trump: “I’ll be a dictator from day one” referring to his promised reversal of Biden-Harris policies and executive orders such as the one that has incentivized millions of immigrants to cross our borders illegally; or Biden: “[Trump] supporters are garbage”). 

Personalities and campaign slogans aside, allow me to refer to several historical occurrences that are objectively defined.  For each of these, let’s ask how the two administrations compare:
1.  How many wars began under each administration?
2.  How many indictments were issued by the sitting president when a losing candidate questioned the results of the presidential election—i.e. against Hillary Clinton the loser when Trump was president versus against Donald Trump the loser when Biden-Harris were in power?
3.  How does the cost of living compare between the two administrations?
4.  How many threats to the integrity of the Supreme Court and the lives of its justices?
5.  How many efforts to defund the police and border officials?
6.  Which presidential candidate participated in fund-raising to support of those involved in burning our cities and destroying government property including memorials to our founding leaders?
7.  How many Americans and non-citizen immigrants have died from fentanyl poisoning or child trafficking under each administration?
8.  How many Americans now have the opportunity to vote in deciding at the state level the fate of unborn children?
9.  Which administration has had the lower morale, more resignations, and fewer enlistments into our military because of the division being stoked by “diversity-equity-inclusion” philosophy?
10.  Which administration has had more cities, including Aurora, CO and Springfield, OH having to deal with tens of thousands of illegals who cannot speak English or drive safely, and who struggle to adapt to American culture while themselves having left behind families now divided and disrupted?

Each of the above comparisons are measurable and can be objectively assessed.  Each one affords us with a comparison of the quality of leadership of Trump-Pence versus Biden-Harris during the respective prior presidential administrations.

Two Media Narratives: Split Nation
In spite of the contrast we see when we compare how the two administrations fared under the ten measurements above, there remains the fact that our nation is evenly split between their supporters.  (See attached statement.)  Friend, if we can agree that half of American voters support each ticket, is it fair to make the case against Trump based on reports of “what Trump might do?”  For example, when Trump mentions he may have to use the military, isn’t this part of a history of his actions as president?  Recall that he either called in the national guard or threatened to call it in when major cities were being allowed to burn (e.g. Minneapolis during Tim Walz’s term as governor of Minnesota).  Just prior to the day of the January 6 demonstrations (“insurrection”), President Trump had asked for deployment of the national guard which would likely have prevented the invasion of the capitol (Click HERE to read.]  House Speaker Nancy Palosi, whose responsibility it is to provide for capitol security now blames herself for not being more proactive [Read more HERE.]

You also mention Trump’s use of “the enemy within.”  I’m not sure how you or I would react if we were subjected to the 8-year series of attacks in which Trump’s opponents have used the legislative branch to impeach him over what turned out to be fabricated charges without supporting evidence (“Russia gate” and “Ukraine gate”).  Next, the close 2020 election that he contested (just has Hillary Clinton had done in 2016) turned out to have been influenced by the FBI which knowingly suppressed the criminal evidence in the “Hunter laptop.” Then, a night-time raid on Trump’s home followed by a series of indictments in which the Biden-Harris department of justice has colluded, followed by two assassination attempts, both  of which resulted from obvious lack of competence.  Are we and is Donald Trump right to take lightly the notion of “an enemy within?”  No matter what we imagine when we hear his claim of “the enemy within” at very least, it amounts to federal officials who are lawbreakers and they ought to be identified and brought to justice.

Finally, there is the claim that Donald Trump is a liar.  Although you have not mentioned it, Trump is also called a Fascist, a racist, and other names.  But he has claimed innocence in case after case which eventually bears out that he was telling the truth.  Meanwhile, our current president has been shown to have lied in saying that he was not part of massive influence pedaling schemes involving Hunter who may have colluded with officials from China, Ukraine, and other nations in their efforts to gain access to the Biden administration.

What Can We Agree On?
In conclusion, my friend, I hope this response conveys my understanding of the contrasts between the two 2024 presidential tickets in a well-reasoned, respectful manner.  I am glad we agree that we are blessed with a “system of government, designed by the framers nearly 250 years ago [that is the reason why] our nation and its peoples have prospered like no other on the planet.”  I am also glad that you and I “hold values above all that are greater than greed or fear or resentment or revenge; [and that our] US Constitution prioritizes the worth of the individual, provides for free expression, opportunity, and freedom of religion.”   Because of these principles and values, we and our loved ones have been able to live in freedom and pursue meaningful callings including our calling to botany and land stewardship.  I only hope that our votes will result in the election of a leader who can help preserve these values and opportunities.   I welcome your “Comment” below.

Note:  I am especially excited at the prospect of an administration that can not only restore national sovereignty and community safety through border security and due process for lawbreakers, but also one with a vision such as that offered by RFK jr who looks at “health” in a holistic manner involving environmental stewardship as a context for addressing agriculture, our medical health system, and nutrition.   I welcome your comments on this prospect as well.