(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . The Rally Cry to Save America [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.'] Date: 2024-10-19 Why are Democrats constantly held to a higher standard, while Republicans refuse to meet even the most basic levels of fitness or integrity? Democrats are expected to walk on eggshells, apologize for every misstep, and meet impossible standards of decorum. The hypocrisy is staggering. Meanwhile, just last week, in a desperate move, Republicans blamed Democrats for apocalyptic weather events in mostly red states. It’s beyond comprehension that this garbage rhetoric comes from our elected officials—sucking the oxygen out of vital, time-sensitive news cycles that should be focused on reality and the issues that actually matter. I mean, what reasonable person believes Democrats are causing hurricanes and floods? If we had the power to wield these omnipotent magical abilities—don’t you think Mar-a-Lago would have been our first target? Make it make sense! If anyone made these kinds of bizarre statements in a workplace, HR would immediately question their fitness for the job. Yet these are the people crafting laws that govern every aspect of our lives—from reproductive healthcare to education to environmental policy—without even the pretense of rationality or accountability. Then there’s Donald Trump. This man has been convicted of fraud, found liable for sexual misconduct, and remains a threat to democracy at every turn. His behavior has become more erratic by the day. At his most recent rally, he trailed off for the last thirty minutes, speaking as though he were detached from reality—completely incoherent and unfit to lead. His so-called diplomacy revolves around avenging anyone who has tried to hold him accountable. His first objective is to use presidential immunity, granted by a Supreme Court he deliberately corrupted, to avoid prosecution. The man needs to get re-elected simply to stay out of prison. Let’s not forget: Trump dodged the military draft, refused to release his taxes, and has hidden his health records. Where is the appeal? He has never demonstrated a commitment to unite this country. Instead, he curated a Supreme Court to dismantle a 50-year precedent, stripping women of their most basic bodily autonomy. And he celebrates this dismantling of rights, congratulating himself for sending decisions over women’s bodies “back to the states.” The impact has been catastrophic. Women in Texas no longer have the same freedoms as women in New York. Thanks to Trump, survivors of rape and incest are being forced to carry pregnancies to term. Doctors are now refusing life-saving care to pregnant women, afraid of losing their medical licenses. Donald Trump will not live long enough to see the full damage his administration has inflicted—on our courts, our democracy, our environment, and our educational system. Nor will he live to see the depth of division he has stirred among Americans. The ripple effects of his decisions will haunt us for generations. And now, we are just nineteen days away from the next election. It is terrifying to think that Trump could win, but what’s even more disturbing is the fact that half of this country is willing to vote for him. A man convicted of fraud and sexual misconduct. A man whose only goal is to use the presidency as a shield to avoid accountability. A man whose incompetence and corruption threaten the very foundations of our democracy. This isn’t just about Trump, though—it’s about the system that enables him. Republicans no longer care about governance. They’re not interested in policy or improving people’s lives. What they care about is power—pure, unchecked power. Trump is simply a tool for them to consolidate control and extend the powers of corporate greed that we have been forcibly beholden to. Meanwhile, Democrats are held to impossible standards. One small mistake, and they are crucified. But Trump can spew lies, deny reality, and openly plot to undermine our institutions—and his supporters are hooked on his political theater and they lean into his theatrics like he is their messiah. It’s a cult of personality, and it’s poisoning our democracy. The Supreme Court’s decision on Roe vs Wade wasn’t just about abortion—it was about stripping away fundamental freedoms. It’s about dismantling the progress we’ve fought for over decades. And it’s only the beginning. We are now seeing a race to the bottom as states compete to impose the most draconian restrictions on reproductive care. No one should have to cross state lines to access basic healthcare. And no one—no one—should be forced to carry a pregnancy caused by rape. These are atrocities, enabled by a Supreme Court that Trump and the GOP intentionally weaponized. This election isn’t just another political cycle. It’s about whether truth, accountability, and human dignity will survive. If Trump wins, everything we’ve seen—the corruption, the dismantling of rights, the erosion of democracy—will only accelerate — further weathering our democracy that is already in great peril. And that’s exactly what Trump and his allies want. They thrive on division and chaos. The endless scandals, the lies, the constant assaults on our institutions—it’s all designed to exhaust us, to make us feel powerless. But we cannot afford to give in. Authoritarianism feeds on apathy. If we stop fighting, they win. Seventeen days. That’s all we have left to decide what kind of future we want. This isn’t just about voting. It’s about standing up and saying, Enough. Enough corruption, enough cruelty, enough dismantling of basic rights. Our democracy is on the line, and if we want to protect it, we have to stay engaged, stay angry, and refuse to let this become the new normal. [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/10/19/2277951/-The-Rally-Cry-to-Save-America?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=more_community&pm_medium=web Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/