Bilbo's Endorsement for President

We are less than one month away from the 2024 Presidential Election which, it is safe to say, will be the most consequential since I cast my first presidential vote in 1972 ... for Richard Nixon.

As I've often written in this space, I was a staunch conservative Republican voter from 1972 until, in disgust at the performance of George W. Bush, I voted for John Kerry in 2004. I have consistently voted Democratic ever since, and see no reason to change - especially now. Without the least trace of doubt or reserve, I am voting for - and wholeheartedly endorse - Vice President Kamala Harris for President.

There's an old saying that a person under 30 who is not liberal has no heart, and a person over 30 who is not conservative has no brain. Nowadays, it seems that there are a great many people who claim to be conservative and, regardless of age, appear to have no brain.

I do not say this lightly, because some members of my own family and friends I otherwise care about and respect have chosen to support Der Furor. I cannot understand how they can place their trust in such a demonstrably awful person, a person who spouts the most obviously discreditable lies and cries "foul!" when challenged, cannot speak in complete and rational sentences, and works tirelessly to undermine confidence in the public institutions of the nation he would lead again. It's remarkable that dozens of the people who most closely worked with the former president have gone on record denying his fitness for office and, instead, endorsing Vice-President Harris.

Make no mistake: Vice-President Harris is not a perfect candidate, and suffers from the traditional Democratic problem of espousing big programs while being vague about how they'd be paid for. But consider that the programs she espouses are targeted toward helping ordinary Americans, not big business and the already-wealthy.

Der Furor holds huge rallies at which he talks incoherently for hours; Ms Harris holds smaller rallies (although their size increasingly compares favorably to those of her opponent), but her speeches are clear, understandable, and blessedly short and to the point.

It is a measure of the emptiness and mendacity of Der Furor and his supporters in Congress that they consistently take credit for programs passed by a Democratic administration ... against which they almost invariably voted ... having passed no worthwhile legislation of their own.

Former House Speaker Sam Rayburn once pithily remarked that any jackass can kick down a barn, but it takes a good carpenter to build one. Today's GOP is composed almost entirely of jackasses who miss no opportunity to kick at the barn, yet steadfastly refuse to do the difficult work of legislatively addressing the problems about which they howl. Der Furor and his acolytes in Congress, faced with the vast disaster unleashed by Hurricane Helene, have responded by pouring out a torrent of lies and false information about the federal response to the crisis, actively undermining the work being done by those actually addressing the problems of their fellow citizens in distress.

In the true fashion of authoritarian rulers, Der Furor spins up his followers with wild, fanciful tales of horrific crimes being committed by immigrants ... who, statistically, are far less likely to engage in illegal acts than American citizens.

Der Furor and his enablers continue to insist - in the face of a complete, total lack of evidence - that the 2020 election was stolen from him, and that the 2024 election will be considered "free and fair" only if he wins. They work relentlessly to undermine confidence in the fairness and security of our elections, spouting asinine complaints easily refuted by the least amount of knowledge about actual election administration processes and applicable state and federal laws.

Der Furor and his ilk insist on the importance of "religious freedom," but seek to impose "Christian" beliefs and tenets on a public that worships in a multitude of faiths.

Once again, I stress that Kamala Harris is not an ideal candidate. She is, however, far better equipped - in terms of temperament, lived experience, and government service at the local, state, and federal levels - than Der Furor or JD Vance - separately or together. Her candidacy is endorsed by those who know Der Furor best. She is focused on the American people, not on herself. Her faults pale in comparison to those of her opponents.

There is only one rational choice in next month's election, and it is Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz.

Prove me wrong* if you can. Good luck with that.

Have a good day, and VOTE ... no matter who you vote for. More thoughts coming.

Bilbo

* Using facts, not insults and truth-free diatribe. Otherwise, don't waste my time.