I’m Optimistic and Hopeful, But for the People

Shall we speak in terms the ex-president understands? He’s a born liar, a malignant narcissist, a shyster, a con, a carpetbagger, a carnival barker, a creep, a certifiable madman. As a result, the U.S. government is a wounded animal held ransom by right-wing extremists.

History bears witness. Donald Trump is the product of an avaricious, racist father, Fred Christ Trump, and an amoral, combative legal advisor, Roy Cohn, who was Joe McCarthy’s chief legal counsel during the shameful, disgraced McCarthy Era.

Now I’ll tell you how I really feel.

• Empty promises don’t matter to his slavish cult. The old windbag just repeats his lies until the poor people believe him. Floating above them like a hot-air balloon, he advertises his circus, attracting all manner of freaks, carnival barkers, and clowns. And in their lust for power and money, his greedy accomplices sell their souls.

When did good people lose the ability to tell right from wrong?

• We are witnessing an American coup de grace unfolding in real-time as Republicans set up control of the presidential election. Project 2025 is what Trump asked the Heritage Foundation for. He addressed the foundation conference in 2022. He said it would “lay the groundwork and detail plans for exactly what our movement will do.” (His actual words!) 

But the majority is finding its voice, and we won’t go back. The needle will move as more uninformed and undecided voters care, engage and become aware of the issues.

• After 20 years as an ethical journalist, I resent right-wing lies and half-truths co-opting Democracy for greedy autocrats, dividing our unity to control our nation’s citadel. Trump extremists cast doubt on all press with Steve Bannon’s call to “flood the media with s—.” And far too many journalists allow the proven lies to fly unchallenged. Do your job, journalists. Check your sources. End the repetition of proven lies, and the party hijacker will collapse like a cheap, hot-air windbag.

• Immigration is not the No. 1 problem in this country, as the right-wing pushes the media to tell you. The No. 1 problem is a malignant narcissist, leading a corrupted right-wing political party, with help from an Australian’s phony “News” organization and a few media billionaires, dividing our people and country. They practice the most elemental art of war: Divide and conquer, and they control the narrative on the biggest platforms pushing propaganda.

The immigrants ruining your life are not the apple pickers who can barely afford rent. In the Divided States of America, Trump, Elon Musk, Fox News and Rupert Murdoch knowingly spread toxic lies that endanger innocent people, and should be prosecuted.

• We can’t continue to hand the keys to our Democracy to selfish interests. “Domestic tranquility” is the goal enshrined in this country’s basic principles “for the people, ” not just the super wealthy. The economic gap is horrendous, and there’s no reason why the richest country in the world can’t do better, with unselfish leaders who lift us, not divide us.

This isn’t rocket science. Vote like your country depends on it. Let history bear witness.

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Pepper Provenzano writes in Utah and Arizona. A news editor for 20 years, he advocates for human rights, environmental justice and diversity.