Many years ago, I was a Republican.  At the time, I didn’t agree with many of the Democratic Party’s policies.  Yet, I didn’t hate them, nor do I remember any members of either party developing any commercials, nor giving any speeches to tear down the other party or totally trash another opponent as is being done today.  I also used to see each party with a platform.  But one party today has no platform, no list of changes they feel must be made to better the people of this great nation.  Instead, there is a document that I have tried to bring to light in past articles, that exists containing a very real platform of, to me, terrifying changes that would remove this great nation from democracy.  This document is downplayed by the party, and some in it occasionally claim no knowledge of it.  This is, of course, Project 2025.

More can be found concerning Project 2025 and its connection with the Republican party at: ‘www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2024/08/22/trump-denies-project-2025-links-in-response-to-harris-dnc-speech-i-absolutely-nothing-to-do-with-it/’.  Sorry about the length of this link, but it’s a site at Forbes Business worth looking at.  Maybe you will read it differently than me.

Although there is no way to know if Project 2025 would be adopted by the Republicans, I hope reading it would tell you that there is no way we can chance it.  We have already witnessed Roe v. Wade overturned and the repercussions from that.  We have observed that our Supreme Court feels that an American president cannot be prosecuted for any official act while in office NO MATTER HOW DAMAGING OR UNLAWFUL.  These are just a few hints on what is to come.  Can these actions be found as part of Project 2025?  ‘static.project2025.org/2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL.pdf’ to make your own decision.

Another issue that bothers me is that some of us are becoming entrenched in the demand to close the southern border.  This is also very new to us who have lived in this nation for a long time.  Years ago, we used to bring in workers from the southern border to work on our farms and in our factories where the work was back breaking and low paying.  These jobs would not be filled locally so this temporary migration was necessary.  I don’t remember anyone being upset that they were here.  After all, we were a nation of immigrants.  We also knew that one day, these workers would get used to our life, love it, and bring their families to our nation.  And they did.

But now we want a change.  Deportation.  “News of the proposals comes after Trump at a rally in Florida on Wednesday promised to conduct ‘the largest domestic deportation operation in American history’ and argued criminals were coming through the US-Mexico border and warned of ‘young, strong people that had bad intentions.’”  This quote comes from CNN at this link: ‘www.cnn.com/2023/11/11/politics/trump-stephen-miller-immigration-detention-deportation/index.html’.  What could happen if this is done?

At the internet site: ‘usafacts.org/articles/which-industries-employ-the-most-immigrant-workers/’, there is a bar chart about a quarter to a third of the way down the page.  This lists all foreign-born workers and their employment.  We must realize that not all these workers are in the United States illegally.  Can we really be sure that only illegal workers are what Trump means in his deportation statements?  What if they mean those from Mexico and South American countries no matter their status?  What do you think would happen to our economy if only undocumented workers in agricultural, manufacturing, and construction jobs would be deported?  Would it mean the collapse of our economy?

I’ve been writing articles on these issues for a while now.  I do so because this election is the most important in our history.  I say this since it is the closest we’ve ever been to the elimination of our democracy.  In addition to Roe v. Wade and the determination of presidential immunity, there have been many situations that have torn at our democratic foundation.  Along with the additional temptations of eliminating birth control, medication abortion, women’s health services, and rape and incest-related freedoms, there have been failures to vet Supreme Court nominations, and the failures to collaborate in Congress.

Enough is enough.  We need to repair what we have broken and proceed into the future.  Does anyone think that we should begin to adjust representation in Congress, moving from the older to the younger, letting the younger generation begin to determine their own future?  I think it’s about time for many changes, but the single change we don’t need is the elimination of our democracy.

Even some Republicans are beginning to endorse the Harris ticket.  But they are still staunch conservatives and only do so to save our democracy.  I feel that if current Republican control proceeds with Trump and his agenda, you will soon see another conservative party.  Do you agree?  Some of the republicans that spoke at the DNC Convention were John Giles, mayor of Mesa, Arizona; Kyle Sweetser, former Trump voter; Geoff Duncan, former Georgia lieutenant governor; Stephanie Grisham, former Trump White House secretary; Olivia Troye, former Trump administration national security official; Adam Kinzinger, former Republican U.S. representative.

There is one other longtime Republican who has now endorsed the Harris ticket, J. Michael Luttig.  He was a Republican-appointed federal judge and has served for many Republican presidents.  His five-page endorsement is well worth reading.  You can find this contributed by CNN at: ‘www.documentcloud.org/documents/25050952-luttig-endorsement’. 

Only with Democracy can we all be equal.  Only with Democracy can we be conservative, liberal, or any other variation or mindset.  Only with Democracy can we worship as we so choose.  Only with Democracy can we truly be free.