“Don’t you worry about That”

Preamble

This is based on the concept of Democracy in which we are provided with the opportunity to vote for whatever candidate or political party to best represent our ideals. Is great in theory but history and current times suggest that Democracy is always a work in progress.

It’s my preferred version of Government flaws and all, even if some like Donald Trump in the USA attempt to use it to subvert democracy in their desire to gain power at any and all cost.

Roots

Political leanings are formed in many ways and under different circumstances. Some of us continue family traditions of voting to the left or right, without really considering who or what we are voting for.

Some political leanings are made of crisis and usually swing to the extreme left or right in the process and some are based on single issues like the Greens. Some of us get fed up with the same major political party diatribe and change our vote as a protest while some get paid to vote.

I’ve generally continued the Family Tradition of not voting for the Right of Politics. Most times I vote for Labor Party in Australia, which is our version of the Democrats in the USA.

It does depend whether it is Federal, State or Local Government as to the individual that I vote for with this voting free ranging between Labor, Greens and Independents.

I did break Family tradition twice in Perth West Aus voting for incumbent Right wing Federal Govt MP as had been doing a good job for many years. Has been a deep secret from the rest of the Family until now. Oh the shame upon them reading this!

Family Tradition has roots in the Communist Party Tasmania sometime from the early 1930’s and I lived in the creche of those ideals, Glenorchy, a medium to heavy duty Industrial suburb then and City now.  Knowledge of family involvement has dimmed with time. When I was born in 1958 mum and dad were staunch Labor Party supporters.

Upon reading of my political roots, many Right wingers would describe me as straight up Commie with their version of negative connotations to go with it. I know I am not, but details don’t matter to them. Well comrade, I don’t care.

Fundamentals

To some extent I don’t really care who the local candidate is as long as they represent. If they don’t represent then tell them so at the next ballot box and just vote them out. Simple really which is Democracy at its fundamental best.  This is what the community generally desires left and right of the political spectrum.

Unfortunately, have witnessed too many politicians from the Right over the years not representing their Local Communities but insist around Election time that we (the voter) “Don’t need to worry about That”, whatever “that” is and to take their word for it, and please no questions to be asked or answered.

“That” not getting done properly, successfully or at all seems to be something that specific politicians are good at. Lots of mouth words on Stage to get the vote, but reality can be completely different if viewed through an independent lens.

Their measure of burgeoning self-importance progressively gets in the way of stuff in our neighbourhoods and lives happening as their mouth promised. This political variety will never get my vote and am comfy sitting here, soul of my “Leftie” roots well nourished. Indeed, the older I become, mistrust of the Right Wing has deepened considerably.  

At the same time, the Left Political Party in charge of Australia is almost unrecognisable from a time not that long ago. Better them being in power than the alternative. It has become an established bind of voting for the “lesser of the two evils”.

Our Left leaning government does have a better connection with community which makes sense given its working person roots, but something is currently missing in that connection. 

Many of us have become frustrated with the same old Party line speak without discernible positive impact on our lives. Independent politicians and Minority Parties offer alternatives which can lead to them holding a measure of power and balance in forming government.

Minority Parties have been an integral part of European Parliaments for many years and have increasing influence in Australian Parliament. In my current backyard of Malaysia during 2022, a Unity Government was formed with an uncomfortable alliance between heavyweight left and right wing political parties and coalitions.  It is completely new territory for all and the hope is that it gets a complete five year term to prove itself.

 It’s success in two years? Rating running about C+ and hoping they will get better as the alternative is a lot further to the right in this sense.  

The overwhelming dominance of established Party politics is no better witnessed than the USA. Minor Parties rarely influence the Federal Government structure of governance. A person votes Blue  (Democrat Left) or Red (Republicans Right).

Voting is not compulsory with history littered at times with half of the eligible voters not voting but 2020 saw a record turnout 66% of eligible voters. It is difficult to imagine not voting, with myself part of compulsory voting land in Australia. I am happy to vote.

Ideology

Lines across the divide of left and right have been relatively clear for many years. The Right representing established business, tax breaks for the wealthy, so called free market, and reduced governance in our lives. The Left looking out for the little person, the disenfranchised, the worker, trying to even up the taxation ledger, environmental care, healthcare and education for all.

There is little to observe where Right wing governments have advanced the cause of the average wage and salary earner or the poor. Traditionally Right wing governments have not provided educational opportunities for all, which has always been their aim in maintaining power over us.

The old saying “keep the peasants ignorant” comes to mind as the less educated can be easier to control. The same in Healthcare and taxation with the only ones getting the breaks are the more affluent. The rest of us? Not so much.

Sometimes, religion can be the tool used to gain access to government. Many times we have witnessed revolution in this manner such as Iran in 1976. The rise of fundamental ideologically driven government in recent years is witnessed with Taliban rule in Afghanistan and the rise of mainly white Christian Nationalisism especially in the USA.

Donald Trump has jumped in bed with the fundamentalist Christian Nationalists, proclaiming himself as a man of God and they see him as some form of saviour. Just don’t ask him to quote or reference any sections of the Bible though.

It matters not to them that he can barely qualify to uphold the virtues expressed in the ten commandments as their thirst for ultimate power corrupts them to participate in these sins.

I observed the lead up to the 2020 election in which he set the scene of potential fraud in the future election and then followed this up with the great lie of election being stolen from him, to now be in the running for President on November 5th this year.

What is Donald Trump’s and by association the Republican Party ideology these days?

Donald plays to the fears of the predominantly white conservative masses who for so long have been under the “Don’t you worry about that” conjuring. If you are fearful, then we as your leaders have you exactly where we want you to be.

This translates to only believe my words as your leader, anyone who opposes is a liar, charlatan, stupid, moronic, dumb, satanic and of course a hardcore paedophile leftie communist.

The ideology stretches to hate and fear all immigrants because they are taking your jobs, eating your cats and dogs and doing terrible sexual crimes and murder against your upstanding god-fearing family.

The dark irony is that America has been and still is being built on the back of immigration from all parts of the World. The darker irony is 99% of all mass shootings are carried by usually white born and bred Americans.

The Ideology continues down the line of severe truth bending and horrendous personal insults when it comes to Democrats. Kamala Harris citizenship, skin colour, smile and her laugh are all up for severe ridicule but not in a smart way, more like primary schoolyard bullyboy way.

Tim Waltz her running mate is to all intents and purposes a thoroughly good and honest human being. The so-called Alpha male pack of the Republicans and Conservative TV networks have been attacking his masculinity due to his hands mannerisms and because he comfortably hugs people.

They are the benchmark of desperation and do deflect from their own insecurity of personal masculinity in the process.

The labelling of all immigrants as illegal including  Venezuela emptying its jails of violent criminals and shipping them to the USA are both lies, not little ones but big ones. But, why let the Truth get in the way if you can stoke the fears of the not so well informed.

Trump and his tirade about workers and how much he hates overtime and even bragging how he brought in outsiders to circumvent this. In many ways it was good that he stated this as it would have firmed up the resolve of many to not vote for him.

Trump has no interest in worker welfare or getting paid commensurate for the tasks and hours done. He is only interested in as cheap as possible in order to be as profitable as possible.

Trump has a very well documented history of not paying tradesmen, owing on business deals, not paying local Counties and Cities for facilities hire during election campaigning all the way back to 2016 election. The only recourse for all these Trump creditors is via a laborious Court process, many of whom cannot afford so they fall by the wayside, out of pocket and potentially out of business because Trump won’t pay his bills.

Trump simply doesn’t care about others and only cares that he is in charge, that he wields the power. This is all about him. His supporters and the Republican Party are only tools and pawns in his game.  He is the ultimate conman, narcissist and to a certain extent fits the bill of being a sociopath.

The casualties in this process are truth, respect, care, unity and honesty.

The gains in this process are fear, lies as truth, hatred, threats of violence, disunity, dishonesty and distrust of government when it is not a Trump run government.

This is the Ideology of Trump and sycophant Republican politicians.

Choice

Choice is what we have in voting. Something as important as voting for the President of the USA is something that needs serious consideration before doing so.

What do want in a leader? A certain strength of purpose, someone who will make astute choices based on best available information, have a measure of care for all no matter their background, to better peoples lives through education, health and work, upholds and strengthens the existing laws of the land and who holds a decent level of trust with the public regardless of who you vote for.

 What don’t we need in a leader? Someone who is bombastic, autocratic, demeans others, selfish, self-enriching, only caters for a particular variety or class of people, vindictive and is difficult to trust.

The Democrats present Kamala Harris as their candidate. What are her qualities? I admit that most of my attention has been on Trump over recent years. In her time as VP it appeared from afar that she was almost invisible. Sometimes that is a good thing working quietly without fuss getting things done.

Now? She comes across as a committed American with a positive outlook who doesn’t take fools lightly or give way if challenged by the madness thrown at her by the Right.

The Republicans present Donald Trump as their candidate What are his qualities?

He happily fed recent attacks against FEMA in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton that were absolutely merciless and complete lies that fed the fearful base. It ended up in death threats and other attacks on FEMA trying to do their job.

Trump is more than happy to let conspiracy theories do damage as much as possible as 99.9% are driven by people with conservative ideals. It is a madness of hateful mistrust that he is happy to go along with as most of the conspiracies are against Government type agencies, the scientific community and right down to the humble weatherman at the end of the news.

Trump stated to evangelicals that if they vote in 2024, they won’t have to worry about voting ever again. He has also stated that anyone that he sees as enemies now from media to individuals will be pursued, put out of business or jailed if he wins the Presidency and to use the armed forces to pursue these enemies within. He advocates complete dismantling of current Federal departments and replacement with those loyal only to him.

History has shown us time and time again that these are the words and actions of wannabe dictators and despots.

Voting Day

Donald Trump is not a role model for peace and prosperity, he is the exact opposite being a master at driving perceptions as if they are reality and delivering rumour as if it is the ultimate truth.

I admire him in some ways as he resolutely drives these false messages enough times for many to believe they are the truth. But, remember those that fall for his ‘truth’, that he doesn’t pay his Bills. He is simply not an honest person.

Through this election campaign the fear laden hatred and threats of violence has steadily ramped up to boiling point and all from the right wing enabled by Donald Trump’s words, half sentences and inferences that keeps the rusted on supporters froth levels right up.

Have we heard or read of any such rhetoric from the Democrats? No. Their mission is and has always been to keep the fundamental democratic structures in place, to ensure that America does not head down the path to ethno nationalism, by default a Fascist regime.

With about two weeks to go in this election campaign, I ask those on the conservative side to have a really good hard think about the character of this man, to go past his showmanship and look beneath his façade of quality leadership. Please do worry and concern yourself about this and don’t ever fall for the great con of “don’t you worry about that”.