America Listened

Guest commentary by RMB

America listened.
They did exactly as their President asked and voted as though he was on the ballot, while the entire Universe waited in anticipation of a burial ceremony that was about to precede the death of a MAGA political giant; after the simmering of a decline in global trade and an economic tsunami.

In genesis. 8-9, a Biblical account of the immediate aftermath of the devastating flood, suggest that there was a great wind, causing the waters to recede.

President Trump is a man of superlatives. He thrives in extremes and I am not sure if this is driven by limited vocabulary or personal exclusive choices but on Election Day, he reminded America that he had just presided over the “best two year economy in the history of the Presidency.” Mr President, we will gladly accept your trivial assessment, in exchange for a foaming blue wave. Bear in mind that Donald Trump has not knowingly been diagnosed with dyslexia or any related condition. He says exactly what he intends to convey.

Donald Trump will begin his final days of public life, a wounded, lonely and angry man. His negative platform and nasty rhetoric inevitably forced the electorate to vote like he was on the ticket. The results are telling. Five black Governors, first black Female Governor in US history, probably the first black Speaker in US history, first Muslim elected to the US Senate and the President is well positioned to take full credit, as the list continues. Fortunately for many Americans, the gaslighting of this President was the only light they had, yet chose to go the other way. This week, the White House had to remind Americans that “Donald Trump is still the President.”

Two of the greatest takeaways from this mid-term are firstly, the recognition that America is still a country of multiracial, multiethnic Immigrants and secondly, that Democracy in America is alive, functioning and presumed well.

Now that election is over, the clean-up crews must get to work, in an attempt to ensure that all remains well. The termites must be dealt with viciously and the walls and partitions of democracy must continue to be well guarded and meticulously manicured. We must begin the task of carefully restoring civility in our social, religious and political discourse, immediately.

We, as a nation, must vow to tackle purposeful immigration reform without dehumanizing those who seek to partner with us, in building this great economy.

My personal service to this country with the USAF was intended to recognize and honor those immigrants who preceded me and to leave a better America for those who would follow.
Immigration is not America’s problem. Our major handicap remains those pockets of blatant racism, enabled, surrounded and supported by ignorance and narrow political expediency. America is and will always be a country of multi-racial Immigrants.

For the first time in forty-eight years, I felt confident that my single Vote actually counted. Thanks to President Donald Trump; a man whose views and political ideologies does not seem to reflect the common decency or moral values of those he sort to mislead. America listened.

RMB…on election night.