(DON THOMPSON / iNFOnews.ca)

OPINION

In July, a poll of likely American voters gave a slight edge to Donald Trump over Joe Biden in the coming presidential election. That was then, this is now. On July 23, Biden withdrew, throwing his support behind his vice president, Kamala Harris. In the weeks since, Harris has overtaken Trump, there’s that much hope, that much energy and enthusiasm among Democrats.

Americans - perhaps more than any other nation’s citizens worldwide - live insular lives. As a close observer of culture and politics for decades…with a long history of living outside America’s borders, perhaps I have a good sense of the countless incongruities in my country of birth.

A friend of mine in Florida - a long-time Republican - describes supporters of Donald Trump and members of today’s Republican Party as free-thinkers. Never mind that scholars almost always limit this term to those who reject religious dogma…rather than followers of politicians.

My friend, and millions of others who see Donald Trump and his Make-America-Great-Again bumper-sticker philosophy as the answers to what ails America, seem to dislike authority…unless, of course, they are the ones imposing it.

The overwhelming majority of my Canadian friends - let’s say something north of 90 per cent - shake their heads in disbelief when they hear the disjointed, stream of consciousness nonsense that Trump spews at his pep rallies…and MAGA Republicans then regurgitate in focus groups and interviews.

My Canadian friends - understandably - just don’t get it. Their frustration culminates - invariably - in the question, “Why do so many Americans believe him?” I try to explain that millions don’t…they know he is a narcissistic dictator in search of a country.

Of course, that does little to explain a similar number of Americans who would vote for - if they voted at all - for this twice-impeached, convicted felon who was found liable for sexual abuse and cheated almost everyone who transacted business with him for more than 50 years.

Today’s MAGA Republicans are not - to lay my friend’s argument to rest - free-thinkers. Indeed, they don’t appear to be thinkers at all. I’ve noticed that they almost always lack curiosity…a trait that drives any willingness and ability to ask probing questions to uncover facts.

While everyone is entitled to their own opinions, everyone isn’t entitled to their own facts. Facts are facts…period. And though you can have opinions…even they should have attachment to reality. More often than not, the opinions of these erstwhile free-thinking Republicans are simply lies…inventions to fool folks who don’t want to work hard enough to uncover facts.

I predict Kamala Harris will continue to chip away in this race to determine whether America will continue with democracy…or move toward authoritarian rule…dictatorship. Still, that can’t explain the tens of millions who will vote Republican…who see Trump as their Messiah.

You can explain those voters by looking at the demographics…undeniable facts. Those who support Trump and MAGA Republicans are less educated…fewer folks with a college degree are among them.

MAGA Republicans and Trump supporters are much more likely to believe conspiracy theories…like the “Pizzagate” conspiracy…that Hillary Clinton ran a pedophile ring in the basement of a pizza restaurant in Washington, D.C. Even today, one-third of registered Republicans actually believe this preposterous lie.

Of course, just as with Barrack Obama, Republicans - including current Senators and Representatives - are claiming the neither of Kamala Harris’ parents were U.S. citizens…so she can’t run for president. Sound familiar?

Trump fans - and often their “friends” from Russia or North Korea or China interested in meddling in U.S. elections - post ridiculous conspiracies on social media…and the MAGA crowd eats it up like candy.

Does America have an immigration problem…yes, because Republicans dismissed an a bi-partisan immigration bill…because Trump didn’t want Biden to get any credit. MAGA Republicans - the free-thinkers - believe immigrants are all dangerous…when, in fact, Americans are much more likely to be harmed or killed by their good old American neighbours.

So, maybe we should simply call these free-thinking believers what they are….ignorant, full of shit. Yes, I know that’s very Un-Canadian…name calling…even when it’s true. Canadians…well, are nice that way.

But, enough of taking a knife to a gun fight….something Democrats and other decent folks have long done with America’s Right Wing nuts. The truth is when Trump fans say, “Make America Great Again” they mean a return to Jim Crow America…when people of colour “knew their place.”…when women stayed home…and pregnant…and taking care of their man, regardless of how he treated them.

The unsavoury truth is…this large group of Americans…is about as Un-American as you can get. Many are as deplorable as Hillary Clinton once claimed.

The folks who identify as “religious” and support Trump and MAGA Republicans are among the most difficult to understand. They see Trump as “righteous” and Democrats as “evil”…casualties of a decades-long culture war Republicans invented. Many Christians believe God “talks” to Trump…what logic do you employ to argue otherwise?

There are few groups as dangerous as religious fanatics…if they lose an election…they don’t accept it but blame “evil”…the “devil”…and justify almost any behaviour to defeat the other side the next time. Somehow, they believe God is on their side...only.

Indeed, if you could list every thing that defines today’s Republicans…what the want and don’t want…and could somehow ask Americans who gave their lives to fight for democracy and freedom over the past nearly 250 years to sign on…I doubt you could fill a phone booth…if anyone remembers phone booths.

Meanwhile, Trump keeps repeating something very weird at his rallies, interviews and speeches at Christian gatherings: “You won’t have to do it anymore. You got to get out and vote. In four years, you don’t have to vote again. We’ll have it fixed so good you’re not going to have to vote.” That should disturb anyone who, you know, believes in democracy.

Job one for Democrats is to convert that enthusiasm, hope and energy of their nominating convention into telephone calls, neighbourhood visits and door knocking and an intensive social media effort about how America can be better for all Americans with Harris and Democrats. I believe they will do it.

Kamala Harris will win more votes in November than Donald Trump. And despite Republican trickery and treachery, she will win the electoral college votes necessary to be president. That said, Trump and every single MAGA Republican….every last free-thinker…will lie, cheat, steal and promote conspiracy theories to undermine freedom and democracy.

After all, that’s what they do.

— Don Thompson, an American awaiting Canadian citizenship, lives in Vernon and in Florida. In a career that spans more than 40 years, Don has been a working journalist, a speechwriter and the CEO of an advertising and public relations firm. A passionate and compassionate man, he loves the written word as much as fine dinners with great wines.

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