Dear Trump Supporters
By: Joanna Cohen
Tags: Politics, Inspiration, Philosophy, America, Election 2020

I hear you. Now here’s why you should vote for Biden

Photo by Joshua Ness on Unsplash

Dear Trump Supporters,

This morning, along with the rest of the world, I awoke to the news that the president and first lady have tested positive for Covid-19. I’m not gonna lie. The “left-wing” columnists and commentators, talk show hosts and tweeters, are going to have a freaking field day with this.

While I will never say that Trump deserves to have contracted the virus he promised would disappear like a miracle (no one deserves to get sick), there is something deeply satisfying about this development.

But those who want Trump gone become satisfied at their peril.

I’m not going to be so arrogant as to think this turn of events will seal Trump’s doom. I won’t make the mistake of thinking that Biden’s got it in the bag. If paying off porn stars, being Putin’s puppet, and getting impeached couldn’t take this guy down, I’m not counting on corona to do it, either. In fact, he’ll probably find a way to spin testing positive into a positive.

I will, however, take this opportunity to calmly, respectfully, and directly address those planning to cast their ballot for Trump — and ask you to consider making another choice.

For starters, I’m not going to judge you for liking Trump. To be honest, I see the appeal. As a left-leaning Independent, I have never been more turned off by my own side. I see what you see. The brittle intolerance for the non-woke. The woeful miscalculation of putting radical ahead of moderate in this moment. Fragility and safe spaces and triggers, oh my.

But as fed up as I am, I will never vote for Trump.

However, I have listened to the president’s supporters explain why they plan to do so.

Some just love the man. They dig his toughness and swagger. The way he speaks in a way that no other politician ever has. They like how he makes them feel, which is worthy and valuable. (Instead of ignoring them or looking down on them or trying to tell them what to do like those elites on the left.)

Others find him crude and crass, but they approve of what he’s done on immigration, environmental regulation, and the court.

Some think he’s a deranged narcissistic moron, but they know he won’t raise their taxes or risk their stock market gains, so they hold their nose and pull that lever.

And then there are the true-blue Bernie Bros, who, despite the fact that the man himself is now supporting Biden, are either going to sit this one out in protest or write in Kayne West.

I’m going to take each of these groups, one at a time, and take my best shot at changing their minds.

To those who love Trump on an emotional level — once again, I get it. The left truly excels at coming off as arrogant disrespectful know-it-alls. It must feel so good to have someone come along who gives them the middle finger, says forget those losers — you’re the one who matters.

That person may yet come along. But it ain’t Trump. Please, I beg of you, hear me on this: Trump is playing you. He’s using you. In the most insidious way. He’s taking a page from all the hugely charismatic yet entirely diabolical leaders who have come before him. Those who promise you the world, but really just want your money, your labor, your unending loyalty, or your vote. Those who look for people who are hungry to be seen, to be heard, to belong — and prey on them.

Notice that leaders like this — whether they’re trying to draw you into a religious cult (Charles Manson), terrorist organization (Osama bin Laden), Ponzi scheme (Bernie Madoff), or political movement (Adolf Hitler) — somehow they never put themselves in harm’s way, never risk their personal safety or finances.

Instead, they ask you to sign on, to trust them, and for a while you think you’ve got it made in the shade. I’m going to the promised land! I’m gonna make a mint! We’re going to take over the world and fill it with our people! But it never ends well with these guys, does it? In fact, it usually ends in prison, suicide, or a cascade of bullets.

I’m asking you to be stronger. Be smarter. Don’t let Trump use you anymore. I’m here to help you leave the cult. I know it’s uncomfortable and scary and you really can’t stand Biden, but voting for him is how you truly take back your power.

To those who like Trump’s policies: It is absolutely your right not to believe in environmental regulation or a woman’s right to choose or allowing people from other countries to enter this one. It is absolutely your right to vote along those lines. But it’s not your right to impose those beliefs on others. To encourage them to deny science or decline vaccines. To intimidate or threaten those who support or rely on organziations such as Planned Parenthood. Or to target and terrorize immigrants who are just as American as you are.

In previous pieces, I’ve pointed out that people rarely care about or become invested in an issue until it has a direct impact on their life. So before you cast a vote for a man who doesn’t care about the planet, think about your children and grandchildren.

Assuming you believe climate change is real, consider the future you’re handing to your kids if regulation goes away. Floods. Hurricanes. Fires. If you think that won’t affect everything from your kids’ ability to earn a living to their physical and mental health— think again.

Your kid may one day need an abortion to save their life or save their future, and won’t be able to get one because of a policy you voted for. Your kid may one day fall in love with someone from another country and not be able to build a life with them because of a policy you voted for. In an age as unpredictable as the one we’re now living in, it would be a mistake to think that a principle you support today won’t become a personal issue for you tomorrow. So be wise and think long-term.

To those who know full-well that Trump is crazy, ignorant, and dangerous, but justify voting for him because he’ll protect your cash — come on. You’re already loaded, do you really need to risk the future of democracy to save a few bucks in taxes?

Also, Biden’s no Bernie. He’s not going to ding you that badly. I know, I know, you don’t want the government in your pocket, but we have bigger fish to fry right now. And there will come a point where there won’t be anywhere to hide. Not even for you. The red army can and will march into the Hamptons or Aspen or anywhere else you and your billions are hiding out, so take one for the team and vote Joe.

Of course, most people in this country are not millionaires. They’re “regular people,” many of whom like what Trump’s done with the Dow. They also think he’s good for their retirement plans. Let’s break that down.

First of all, the stock market is not the economy. As The New York Times put it in May, the market “looks increasingly divorced from economic reality.” Further, according to Market Watch, right after Trump took office in 2017, the majority of Americans either didn’t invest in a 401(k) plan or didn’t have one to invest in. But, you ask, how’s the economy doing now?

According to Politico, the U.S. added 661,000 jobs last month, but that still leave us 10 million short of restoring the 22 million jobs lost to the pandemic. And according to a CNBC report from last May, an unexpected expense of just $400 could throw millions of Americans into financial despair. Just imagine how many more are on that list thanks to Covid.

Last, but not least, to the Democratic Socialists: Your heart is in the right place. You have a ton of great ideas. But you gotta sit tight a little longer. Don’t see Biden as the enemy. See him as the bridge. Dude is 77 years old. He ain’t running for a second term. But he is doing a valiant service to this nation while he could easily be kicking back and enjoying retirement. So do him a solid and support his effort. Then you can pick back up again in 2024.

That said, I would advise at least considering toning down the wokeness and taking a lesson from Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama on the dangers of a circular firing squad. But that’s a discussion for another day.

For now, that’s all I got.

Don’t decide right away. Think about it. Ponder. Consider. Mull.

And then vote for Biden.

I’m not promising perfection. But I will promise you won’t regret your choice.

Sincerely yours,

A pragmatic “Lib” who hears you, too