We are living within the margin of error, that mind-bending pseudo-Schrödingerian space where two things are simultaneously true: Trump is leading in the polls and Harris is leading in the polls. In a normal general election year, by this time—with fewer than 500 hours between now and election day—we passed through this phase a while back and are now in the mad dash to the finish line; the trailing candidate is doing everything possible to gain on the leader, and the much ballyhooed “October surprise” waits in the wings, preparing to strike. (Or not.)
This is not a normal general election year.
As baffled as I am that, with these two candidates and at this late point in the contest, the race is still so close, I have to understand that supporters of the opposition are most likely just as baffled. How could I possibly support a communist-fascist-socialist-Marxist radical-left-liberal who welcomes foreign murderers and rapists into our country and hands them cash and a ballot? How can I possibly want to elect such a person to the presidency?
I have similar questions about those who support the opposition.
One thing I try to remember, though, is this: supporters of the opposition do not hate this nation. They don’t. (Okay, a few probably do, but not many.) So their support of the opposition must come from a desire to better the nation that they love. Given that, we should be able to sit down and discuss our differing views on what in this nation can be improved, and how.
But we can’t, and we can’t because the discussion space has become so polluted with falsehoods that our two sides cannot even agree on what is true, what is factual, what is real.
“All politicians lie,” is the old adage, and to an extent it is true. Politicians may fudge the numbers to support their argument or leave out a salient fact that weakens their case, but there’s a big difference between picking the rosiest statistical outcome to support an economic agenda and telling outright (and completely disprovable) lies about conditions and populations in the country, fabrications designed not to bolster a policy stance but to sow division. distrust, and fear of “the other” among supporters. Sadly, once these emotionally manipulative lies have taken hold, it is not possible to counter them with the truth, as the truth, facts, and expertise have become irrelevant.
I don’t have solutions to this problem, and certainly nothing that could make a difference before Nov 5, but what I can do is assure you that if you’re feeling anxious, nervous, or desperate about the outcome of this election, you are definitely not alone. Many, many people are feeling the same, and we’re all probably getting a bit snippy because of it.
So let’s try to be patient and kind with each other, and if we discuss politics, let’s approach the discussions with the knowledge that we’re all on edge and emotions are riding high.
And vote. Vote early if you can, and if you can’t, make a plan as to how to cast your ballot and when.
It’s important.
Regardless who you voted for, thank you for voting.
Kurt R.A. Giambastiani 