By L.Q. Wadsworth
Let peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. – Colossians 3:15
Although the election outcome may not have been what half of the country anticipated we should delve into how we ended up here. Be sure when we make our analysis of why the democrats’ loss so devastatingly. Pointing fingers at individuals is not a solution. It’s an internal problem. It’s a lack of understanding and addressing the issues that are on the minds of the electorate. We claim to be a big tent party, but are we? Do we only like those who share our belief system? It is also how our society is structured regarding class and education.
Winning over voters is the name of the game. The intellectual superiority displayed by democrats doesn’t help matters. Calling someone ignorant and ill-informed hasn’t helped either. I am sure you heard the saying you kill more flies with honey then vinegar. This strategy is extremely effective. In fact, that is partially the Trump game plan he gave the people what they wanted to hear it didn’t matter what he said had no basis in fact. I am a truth teller, and I call my method “breaking it down”. Layout the facts consistently, but in a spoken way that the audience can digest and comprehend.
Don’t use $10 words in a 25-cent conversation. It makes the audience uncomfortable and lost. Ordinary people don’t follow policy, they follow wallets and pocketbooks. Trump hit that bullseye over and over. That fact that they say his vocabulary is limited to 200 words was his asset. His repeating of phrases three times was hypnotic to his audience, almost a cheap form of brain washing. His methods were successful, look who the president elect is.
A problem I think with the 2024 election was how people didn’t care to know the policies or issues. Many people don’t even understand the function of the three branches of government. What you all don’t know is that social studies and civics are subjects not taught in elementary schools in the Hartford School District and have not been for countless years. The students are introduced to social studies and civics in high school. The students have no clue. We expect them to register to vote and then make an informed decision on who to vote for. Not understanding the checks and balance system or the inner workings of our government. They can’t identify the Executive, Judicial or the Legislative branches or the functions of each. We cannot expect to sustain our democracy like this.
Perform your own street poll and ask random people what a dictator is or name one. Brace yourself for the answers. That is one reason why they weren’t phased by Trumps outlandish statement of being a dictator on day one.
Public school education must do better at offering curriculums that truly educate our students. We all know that it has been proven that rigorous curriculums produce successful students. It is also the only way to elevate the population out of poverty and ignorance.
I am not promoting that everyone should vote only for the democratic ticket. I am saying we should vote with an informed mind with eyes wide open. Not falling for half-truths, outright lies and sound bites.
The interesting point about the 2024 election was people couldn’t tell you much about his policies other than the immigration mass deportation he plans to implement. They believe his tariffs will fix the economy and bring down inflation. They don’t get multinational corporations are price gauging even though they have had record profits and continue to put the screws on the consumer. Yet they blame Uncle Joe and the democrats. Who dug us out of the economic ditch and set the United States of America on the road to a juggernaut economy that the world envies.
As for the subject of immigration. It is both complex and simple. The animosity and disdain for the people crossing the southern border is real. African Americans feel shortchanged by the American Dream. We have witnessed numerous immigrant groups enter the country and be granted opportunities not even presented to us for example business and home loans, education opportunities and healthcare. It is offensive when African Americans laid the groundwork for the Civil Rights Movement only to be bypassed after slavery and Jim Crow Laws as well as Institutional Racism and paying taxes only to be pushed aside and ignored. That’s the formula of Black Trauma.
After years of voting for the democrats with little or no benefits or perceived results. Yes, many of us switched and voted for Trump.
The lower, working-class and middle-class whites did the same. They felt they weren’t heard by the democrats who focused on the immigrants. They also bought the fear mongering about the “browning” of America. It stirred up racist vibes and prejudices came out from under the rocks and cave. With Trump the felt the freedom to express their prejudice natures publicly. Regardless of how unkind and ignorant they sounded. It is all about MAGA code for MAKE AMERICA WHITE AGAIN.
Now as for the misogynistic Black and Brown brothers who cast their votes for Trump. Shame on all of you. We have supported and stood by you through incarceration, abuse, abandonment, unemployment, mental health issues, health issues and raising your children as single parents. You all couldn’t find the unity and courage to support our sister Kamala. The slave mentality is alive and kicking.
Finally, we must do better at understanding and supporting each other if we are going to move forward as a people and a nation. Living in a manner that is conducive to harmony for all and true peace that passes all understanding. We cannot be angry or destabilized mentally when things, including elections, don’t turn out the way we anticipated. Be thankful and walk in peace, it always gets better.
