Good policy will help put Trumpism in our rearview
In 2020, Donald Trump garnered 94% of the Republican vote, an increase of 6% over 2016. In both elections, he lost the popular vote. More white voters voted for Trump in 2020 than did in 2016, including 55 percent of white women, whose suburban enclaves Trump devilishly claimed were under siege by the urban poor. Simultaneously, voters of color—Native American, Black, Asian, and Hispanic— went to the polls in far greater numbers than they did in 2016.
Although Hispanics were accused of “underperforming” for Joe Biden, Hispanic voter participation increased by a whopping eight million from 2016, with 66 percent of Hispanics voting for Biden, nearly covering his margin of victory. Ninety-one percent of Black women voted Biden.
By 2045, whites will no longer constitute a majority of the U.S. population. Our nation’s future belongs to the diverse constituency now flocking to the Democratic party, which has won the presidential popular vote in seven of the last eight elections.
For all the GOP’s pro-business praise of innovation, it has become the party of Trump, motivated backwardly by racial prejudice, conspiracy theories and deep and modifiable resentments—all
weaponized by Trump’s genius for turning people against each other.
Unless he gazes backward, president elect Biden will look in vain for policies to unite the will of a majority of Americans with the inclinations of the party of Trump. Though he needs to reach across the aisle with conciliatory handshakes, Biden more urgently needs to reach beyond the fray and offer ideas that will inspire the nation and build a better future for everyone.
Most Americans want progress in social and political equity and significant efforts to reverse global warming. They want a just, livable society for both parties and all people. Handshakes on good
policies—that’s Biden’s job.
Steve Kirchhoff
Bozeman
GOP legislators missed their chance to set example
I was shocked and dismayed when I read in a recent Chronicle of the irresponsible behavior of the legislators at the recent Republican caucus gathering. Disregarding the clear request from the
public health department to meet virtually or wear masks and socially distance. Instead wearing masks on chins, shaking hands or group hugs were observed. Flaunting that you are the victors.
Once you get elected, isn’t it your responsibility to care for the good of all your constituents?
What message are Republicans giving to our doctors, nurses, health care workers and emergency personnel who are risking their lives to take care of those infected with the most devastating lethal disease they have ever dealt with? They are exhausted, under tremendous stress caring for people who are terribly sick or dying and feeling helpless that they can’t do more. What message are you giving these heroes by not doing everything in your power to stop the spread of this deadly disease?
Why did covid have to become a political issue? I hoped that we could have united against a common enemy for the health of everyone. Common ground has been hard to find, but couldn’t we all agree that we all want to survive covid and get on with our lives? If a foreign country attacked us, wouldn’t we fight together to protect our country?
Aren’t you tired of all this divisiveness? We are all Americans. We all love our country. Let’s unite against this common threat and do all we can together to get through this horrible pandemic. Let’s find our common humanity.
Taking “personal responsibility” is choosing whether to risk your own life, but what if it increases the risk to others? Republican legislators, you need to set an example, because what you do will impact at least 100,000 people.
Sandy Appleby
Bozeman
Bozeman Daily Chronicle Letters to the Editor 12/2/20