Why I Support Hillary

It is now two days to the next presidential debate. I thought I would post this week on why I am supporting Hillary Clinton.

Naturally some of it is based on the level of uncertainty and downright fear I have with Donald Trump and his VP candidate, Mike Pence. But that is the current situation. In reality I would have had a difficult time voting for any of the GOP candidates. While I tended toward Bernie Sanders in the primary process, that does not mean I am opposed to Hillary. So, first, why I support her and then a look at what I feel are some of her shortcomings.

My core values and my understanding of the history of the United States, our gifts and direction as a nation, and the role of government with a large and diverse population most closely align with the policies and ideals of the Democratic Party- and always have. This is nothing new in my political history. I don't just tend to be a liberal- I am a liberal. I don't just tend to support Democrats- I do support Democrats because of the party's stance in the last 50 or so years. That doesn't mean I accept and support every stand and action of the Democrats in power. Of course not. But on any given day, I am most likely to agree with a Democratic position than a Republican.

This has become even more true in recent years as the extreme right-wing Tea Party and the religious right have hijacked the more traditional and reasoned conservative positions. There are many elements of government, such as to

• form a more perfect union, 
• establish justice, 
• insure domestic tranquility, 
• provide for the common defense, 
• promote the general welfare, 
• and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity. (Preamble to the U.S. Constitution.)

In the past 50 years, in general, I feel the Democratic Party has worked hard at these in ways that I feel are appropriate. I have seen the GOP tear itself apart with supporting stands that often hurt the more vulnerable among us. In too many ways, the GOP has remained a voice for white males, leaving aside people of color, women, and those of differing religious and personal identities. (My purpose is not to delineate these. I can but I am speaking in general terms. Yes, again, there are Democrats who don't agree. That is fine. But, generally, this is my view of the Democratic Party.)

Hillary is the nominee of this party. She has supported the party's platform and direction. She has been a good spokesperson for these positions in many different ways. She is in the mainstream of the Democratic Party. Bernie Sanders was more to the left of center, but was within that same overall tradition which is why they have been able to reconcile. She- and the overall party- appear to have heard the positions of the Sanders wing and have seemed to be working to bring some compromise and acceptance. That is how American political discourse is supposed to work.

I also believe that Hillary is as qualified as any other presidential candidate- and more so than some. She has been a political person her entire adult life. That means she has done good things and helped people. As a political person, that means she has been able to see the value of discussion and compromise (NOT a dirty word in a democracy!) As such, if faced with political concerns, she is probably more likely to look at the political advantage of not taking an ideologically strict position. Ideological strictness and control may be good to maintain a group built on those, but it is not how a democracy can work.

Being a political person also means she has done things which were stupid or unpopular. But she has been willing to learn and change her opinions. I have no problem with any politician being willing to do that. In many ways it doesn't matter that she (or Trump or whoever) may have supported the initial entry into the Iraq War. At that point, with the information in hand, that was what was felt to have been right. If they have changed that opinion because they have different or more information now, great! They are willing to listen, learn, and grow.

Is she "Crooked Hillary?" No one has, so far, been able to prove anything that would disqualify her. The endless series of investigations by congressional committees has found nothing. From a balanced look at things, it does not appear that Benghazi is all that different from any other attacks on US embassies under other Secretaries of State. Her email usage is just plain stupidity but part and parcel of many in her type of position on both sides. Trump, too, has been attacked for actions which are more just plain political actions or an ability to say what comes to mind with no filter than any crookedness. The Clinton Foundation appears to be a well-run and effective organization which does not appear to be true of Trump's. Even Trump admits to "pay to play" kind of actions. Why does it make him blameless and her the "worst?"

As to Bill's sexual actions in the White House- that has as much relevance as what Trump did with his first wife. Period. Or Franklin Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, or John Kennedy. Many, many married people have reconciled following indiscretions and affairs. That does not mean they were culpable in any way that is important to the American electorate. Period. Perhaps it goes back to the idea of what did they learn from it and how are they willing to move forward?

As to her shortcomings, she has them from my standpoint. Remember I am to the left of center and a pacifist. She tends to be more of a "hawk" than makes me comfortable. But then, so is Obama. Trump's war stances seem to be more trigger happy, and are also worrisome. She tends toward too much reserve, but so does Trump. Do any of us really believe that what we are seeing on the campaign trail with him is his real self? It's more of a show than Hillary. She has had difficulty playing to the audience and does tend to be more closed. But after 30 years in the political spotlight in all kinds of situations we know far more about where she stands than we do about where Trump stands. We have seen her tax returns. We have watched her change her stance on same-sex marriage as well as others.

A couple weeks ago my wife and I had the joy of seeing the comedian Lewis Black in performance. One of his insights into why we have problems with Hillary is simply that we know her too well. She HAS been around for many years and never seems to go away. We are tired of her and want someone new. He commented that she's like that person in your carpool that you wish would decide to retire. He explained that First Ladies, like Presidents, are supposed to get off the stage or at least do things that aren't as politically focused. We saw Nixon and Ford disappear. Regan's Alzheimer's forced him to be invisible. Jimmy Carter became an Energizer Bunny, non-stop house builder. The Bush Presidents did the normal step out of the limelight.

Bill and Hillary are still there. In the end, that might very well be her downfall. I hope not, for, as I made clear last week, I am downright afraid of a Trump presidency. He is a con man out to make what he can on us and leave us worse for the experience. But no matter which of the other candidates it would have been from the GOP, Hillary would still be my choice. Say what you will about my position, this is where I am.

Why I Am Scared

I have been procrastinating on writing posts on the election we are being bombarded with. Some of it was I didn't know where to start. Some of it was sheer exhaustion at the length of this election cycle: Four **$%* years! The "unlike any election in modern history" title has fit it from the beginning. I kept hoping that somewhere along the line a sense of history and sanity would find its way into the process. As hard as some have tried to do that- the level of success has been nearly non-existent. Polarization increases with each passing moment.

I have finally decided I better do some writing now. Election Day is but 39 days away. To coin a phrase:

OMG! or
WTF!

With the day that close and the polls generally showing a close election my level of anxiety and downright fear continues to grow. I am scared to death at the possible results of this election- and the repercussions of this downright awful election rhetoric. So, in some posts over the next few weeks I want to talk about my fear. I am not trying to convince anyone of the correctness of my opinion.

1) I shudder when any American politician of any stripe holds a dictator as a role model of efficient governing. How in the world can anyone think that this is okay? How can anyone hear tirades against "socialism" as a form of dictatorship and then hear the same understanding turned around to support a dictator? Vladimir Putin is not an ally. To raise him to the level of an exemplary leader is downright foolish and very, very dangerous. None of his followers seem to ask a significant question: If the Russians are trying to be influential in our election, why are they seeming to support Mr. Trump? Why would he be a better president for their agenda than Hillary?

2) I fear for who we are as a country when any American politician fans flames of hatred through stereotyping whole groups of people and suggests some kind of religious test for admission to the United States. The all too easy way that ethnic and religious stereotyping and fears have been instigated, even against his opponents. His off-handed, casual hints at violence against others are irresponsible. Yes, he has been using satire in some ways, but those ways are demeaning and offensive.

3) I am appalled at the bullying language and tactics that demean others. His language and attitude toward women is beyond sexist. It is middle-school-ish language. He may respect women, as his daughter tries to tell us, but I have a hunch he only does so when they do what he wants. I would not stand for anyone saying those things to a woman I knew or cared about. This is political discourse?

4) I shiver in barely controlled alarm when any American politician can make outrageous claims as truth then never admit wrong when proven so. Such playing footloose and fancy free with truth is not what any free country needs from its leader. The number of lies and misstatements of fact are almost countless. Yet no one calls him on them.

5) I am in shock when any questioning of the politicians views and ideas is seen as a personal attack on him- and he is willing to shut-out any news organization that questions him.

6) And none of these has anything to do with an isolationist, century-old world-view that would bankrupt our nation in a world of trade and economic relationships. His views on NAFTA and TPP aside, his trade policies make no sense in the 21st Century.

7) And above all I react in horror to the unquestioning way of so many of his followers or those who ran against him, pointing out all these reasons- and then saying, but vote for him anyway. The religious right's support makes no sense from their moral standpoint. Morals be damned when it is their candidate. The almost unanimous support he receives from white supremacist groups, KKK, etc. are just as disturbing as his support of Putin.

I have never liked using the specter of Nazi Germany in any political discussion about the United States. Having been raised in the success and joy of our democratic system, I often wondered at how the people of Germany could have been so fooled to blindly follow someone like Hitler. It was an intellectually exciting country, a country of great culture and science. Until it wasn't anymore thanks to one very sick man. Here in the United States our system has always worked to marginalize, then finally leave such people behind. It couldn't happen here.

I still want to believe that's true. I still want to believe that in the next six weeks the truth of Donald Trump will become so crystal clear that he will lose in a landslide, repudiating a style of hatred that turns against any and everything that has made the United States an exceptional country.

My fears of Donald Trump may be exaggerated. I hope they are, but the reasons above are so powerful and clear to me that my greatest (!) fear is that I am under-reacting- that it will be worse than I fear- that democracy as we have understood it in the United States may very well be at risk. THAT is how important I feel this election is! I have seen no reason, unfortunately, to change that opinion. Does Trump present some good ideas? I don't know because he hasn't been clear about what he is going to do. I believe he may very well have some ideas and policies that are not as bad as they seem to be. I wish he would talk about them. That wouldn't get me to vote for him, but it would decrease my fears.

When I go into the voting booth in November I will not be voting for a candidate who is the lesser of two evils. Hillary Clinton will get my vote for other reasons than those listed here. I will talk about that (and my view of her real and imagined shortcomings) in another post.

In many ways I hope I am a Chicken Little crying that the sky is falling. I also hope I never have to find out whether I am right.

After California... Finished. For Now....

The last of the primaries is over for this year! Sing praise!

Yes- the primaries are history. This election is making history. To make the obvious quote: What a long strange trip it's been.

Unfortunately I think we have hardly seen anything yet. Nothing, absolutely nothing of traditional political insight and wisdom has held true this year.

It may be one of the strangest and out-of-left-field campaigns in American history. Nothing is working like it has.

Either Clinton or Trump could win. By default, the candidate who is least offensive to the greater number of people will win. I don't remember any election in my 50+ years of political interest where the election is balancing on an incredible distrust in both major candidates. Republican friends say to me that they are worried by Trump, but are scared by Clinton. Democrat friends have a distrust of Clinton but are terrified by Trump.

Both candidates have a 70% dislike rating. Which, in a completely unscientific, non-mathematical way it turns into something like:

• Trump has 30% support;
• Hillary has 30% support;
• 40% goes to ?

That 40%- a huge number- will either stay home or vote for the less offensive candidate depending on their party preference. Again- I know this is not good statistics. Don't comment on that. It is a metaphor for how difficult this election is to figure out. I have yet to see a pundit on either side say they saw this coming. Only the extreme pro-Trump or pro-Sanders people can say they expected it to look like this.

I have also heard more stupid explanations this year for a particular candidate than I remember. Two strike me as good examples.

• We don't need another politician.
  OK. But this IS a political system and a political world. It's like taking your car to a garage for maintenance but refusing to allow a mechanic to work on it since another mechanic messed something up.

• He speaks what's on his mind
  Yes, but so does your drunk uncle at Thanksgiving! Do you want him to be the president?

Earlier in this election season I commented that I still have hope. We, the American people, often do the right thing at the right time. When I said that I really didn't think that the insanity would be as deep and broad as it appears. I did not count on the ability of a demagogue to have as much influence as Trump has shown. Nor did I think as much about how deep the distrust of Hillary goes. What worries me most is that this is a close, probably deeply divisive election. It is not out of the question that what we have seen over the past 8 years of ideologically-based decisions is but a start of even more division.

Personally, I am far less worried by Hillary than I am by Donald. Hillary IS a politician. She is a political animal and knows how to handle politics. Like any politician, she has her share of mistakes (Benghazi is not one of them, in spite of what a few GOP think. The email fiasco is.) As a politician she understands on some level what needs to be done.

Trump on the other hand is not a politician. Nor is he truly a business man. He is a self-centered narcissist who only seems to know what he thinks and cannot understand any way but the way of being a bully. I don't believe that he will be so irrational as to start a nuclear war over some perceived, probably personal, threat. But I can see him doing things that will crash the world economy because the rest of the world doesn't understand what he is doing any more than most of us do.

In addition, I have noticed that there are some out there who, while they don't like  him are working very hard to convince us that he won't be that bad. They are explaining, rationalizing, and even normalizing his positions. Which is what worries me as much as his statements do. The only exception to this, so far, has been the nearly unanimous reaction by other GOP on his racist statements against the judge. They need to know that this is the result of their normalizing his ongoing provocations and racism. These are NOT positions taken simply to gain a particular vote. Or if they are, it is just as bad!

Bottom line for me- if you are not a white, heterosexual, conservative Christian male, I say that you should be worried, very worried.If you are one or all of those things, I urge you to pay attention and get worried. Freedom, as we understand it, including freedom of the press, speech, and religion, is at risk.

Freedom of speech, press, and religion are First Amendment rights! Equal in importance and power to the Second Amendment right. No one is seriously trying to take away the right to own guns. Trump's statements indicate he would, in the name of safety and security, abridge the first amendment.

Yes, my comments are extreme. I hope I can look back in six months or four years and see how stupid they are.

In fact I pray that my statements are simply the rantings of someone who is afraid today because things looks so unusually bleak. I have always been an optimist. The United States is a great experiment in freedom and hope. We as a people have stood up to great issues in the past. And come through them. I believe we can do it again.

Some Election Thoughts: What Next?

Politics is the best show in America. I love animals and I love politicians, and I like to watch both of 'em at play, either back home in their native state, or after they've been captured and sent to a zoo, or to Washington.

- Will Rogers

A confession: As an old political science major I have been saying how disgusting this year's election cycle has been. An understatement. But it's like watching a slow motion train wreck or 45-car pile-up on the Interstate. You don't want to see it, you know it's awful, but dammit, you just can't take your eyes off it. I love to listen to the pundits and the analysts (sort of different) and the partisan spinning. I have a more difficult time listening to the candidates themselves since they all say the same things over and over. You pretty much know what each one is going to say in each situation.

Except for Donald Trump who never seems to stay on whatever track he's been on. He derails regularly in often spectacular fashion. I know I can count on the news media on all sides to make sure I hear what he said. The media and my conservative friends on Facebook never fail me.

So for a couple of weeks I have been pondering this particular post as we are getting near the end of the road in the pre-convention season. It started with the following when a USA Today editorial after Indiana a few weeks ago summed up the two front-runners: (Link )

• To say Trump is bad for the Republican Party is like saying a flood is bad for your basement. He stokes white resentment at a time when the party needs to attract minority voters. He demeans women when they, too, are vital to the party’s future. His intolerance turns off Millennials. And he labors under the opinion that his deep infatuation with himself is shared by a majority of voters.
• Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign has been less than stellar. Going into Indiana... she had lost 17 states to Bernie Sanders, a 74-year-old “democratic socialist” from Vermont who was once dismissed as token opposition. Her favorable ratings have sagged.

In the weeks since then Trump has begun to backtrack his actions in regard to the establishment of the GOP although anything can still happen. The GOP is warming up to him, sort of. If they don't work together, they know they will lose the election. That would be even worse than Obama as president- it would be an arch-enemy, a Clinton, as president. Maybe they can live with Trump long enough to survive as a party. Maybe they can find ways to co-opt his off-the-wall approach and use it for their advantage. Their advantage is ALWAYS to retain power and keep the Democrats, especially THESE Democrats out of the White House.

On the Democratic side the in-fighting has taken on an appearance of the good-old-Democratic suicide machine, working hard at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Bernie's followers have begun to attack Hillary in ways that look like backing away from supporting her if (when) she wins the nomination. Sanders, for his part, is working the angles of keeping his supporters motivated while trying to move the party and its platform to a more progressive agenda. He will probably get some kind of concessions at the convention which, we all know, will be forgotten after the election anyway.

Hillary is, of course, very much a part of the establishment of the Democratic Party. She has been waiting for this, within the established order, for 8 or more years. The goal of winning the White House and setting all kinds of historic precedents is at the top of the list for her and her supporters. She and the establishment also want to maintain power and support while hopefully undermining the GOP in the Senate and House.

Politics has become so expensive that it 

takes a lot of money even to be defeated.

-Will Rogers

Author James McBride in Kill 'em and Leave, a book on musician James Brown, had this to say about politics in a different setting, but still relevant to what we are seeing this year.

The entertainment world and politics are more similar than most realize. Every time I go to Los Angeles I am astounded by the similarities between Hollywood and Washington, DC: Money. Power. Influence. Sex. Scandals. Parties. Phoniness. Posturing. Communication as an aphrodisiac. The only difference, it seems, is that in LA the folks are prettier, whereas in DC, they pick your pocket with one hand while saluting the flag with the other. But the basics are the same: business and power.

Without even thinking about the fall campaign (which at this point is extremely painful to comprehend or plan for), business (money) and power is what is at work in both campaigns. Sanders and Trump are the outsiders voicing dissatisfaction on behalf of different segments of the electorate. They speak for those who don't feel they have any power or money. They voice concerns for different groups but the underlying issues are the same.

What will be interesting in the next 75 or so days until the conventions are over is how the establishment attempts to bring the outsiders into the center ring of the parties. Trump has the upper hand, of course, as the GOP outsider, but he has been so vague at times while pandering to his electorate on certain issues and ignoring others, that the Party has a lot of work to do. Can the Party leaders bring their voters- an actual majority of GOP voters- to Trump or will they stay home and default the election to Hillary as less offensive or dangerous than Trump? Can Trump move toward the establishment without losing his disaffected voters.

Hillary, on the other hand, has an upper hand and can afford to be gracious to Sanders an his electorate. Sanders speaks for a traditional Democratic demographic, so Hillary has to walk a fine line. She can do that, no doubt. Will Bernie accept it? Can Sanders maintain his charismatic hold on his voters while supporting Clinton? Those are his questions.

This election will go down in American political history no matter what the outcome. It will be one of the most unusual and unpredictable we have ever had. I am of the opinion that absolutely anything can still happen- and much of it might.

I'm buckled-in for the ride. I hope our system can survive it without too much collateral damage.

The more you observe politics, the more you've got to admit

that each party is worse than the other.

-Will Rogers