Valid points; votes opposite
El Sellers tells us “the OX is in the ditch,” due to “nuts” policies, and he expects Trump to “right our ship of state.” Sadly, his hope is based on erroneous thinking and “high-fog” facts that are simply not true.
Point by point, Mr. Sellers’ complaints are NOT with Kamala Harris or the Democrats. His complaints are completely in line with his first complaint that it is an “error and misinformation” to claim the date of the Declaration of Independence was 1776, only to claim Jefferson began writing the Declaration the year before, 1775, and then after revisions and edits, got it adopted “the following year.” Yup, 1776. Sellers calls this a “minor point,” but it’s no point at all; 1776 is correct, while any other date is WRONG.
Similarly, Sellers complains about “tax-payer funded sex change surgery for felons.” Here’s a FACT: “Prison bureau officials wrote in a budget memo to Congress in February 2018 that the government was obligated to pay for sex-change procedures if deemed medically necessary.” 2018, Donald Trump was president. Whether you agree with the policy, or even whether you think the policy was written “the year before,” the fact is, tax-payer funded sex change surgery for felons” was a TRUMP era policy.
Next, Sellers complains about “expectations that fewer police will mean less crime.” Here’s a FACT: “June 25, 2024: House Republicans today released the draft fiscal year 2025 funding bill for Justice agencies, which defunds law enforcement. For 2025, the bill provides $80.5 billion, a decrease of $1.3 billion – 2 percent – below 2024 funding.”
Next, Sellers says, “the 1619 Project states that America was founded on slavery.” Several problems here. First, the 1619 Project was a series of newspaper articles looking at America’s history of slavery, and examining what slaves contributed, how slaves were treated, and whether there are lasting effects. Opinions may vary, but one thing is certain: America was “founded on slavery.” One only need look at the 3/5 compromise in our original Constitution to see that, at our founding, slavery was a primary issue. It’s OK to disagree with policy solutions based on interpretations of historical FACTS, but it is NOT ok to deny those facts.
Next, Sellers complains about “decriminalizing theft under $750.” Programs vary across the states, but the issue is not “decriminalization” … those apprehended for theft can be immediately arrested, or issued a citation to appear in court where restitution for their crime can be adjudicated to fines, compensating the victim, community service, or other penalties/punishments. The thresholds for misdemeanor versus felony theft have been raised AND lowered, but never “decriminalized.” To be sure, an overburdened justice system, coupled with increased crime as a result of poverty, etc., can prompt local officials to seek solutions to ease the burden on facilities stretched thin. However, FALSELY stating that “theft under $750” has been “decriminalized” is not helpful … it’s just hysterical.
Sellers lists other issues, but the point has been made. We cannot conclude this critique without visiting Seller’s complaint of “more and more government control of our lives.” If Sellers expects Trump to dial back his removal of freedom and liberty from our citizens -- begun by having his selected Supreme Court overturn ROE -- Sellers will likely be stunned by how much more government control Trump plans to seize. Republicans are already banning books, and Trump has an enemies list of media he plans to sic his weaponized DOJ on. It looks like there will be doorto- door searches for “illegals” byAmerican military, and any military leader who balks at such an outrage will be gotten rid of. Whatever valid goals Sellers may have, he votes for the OPPOSITE.
Jeff Harrison Buffalo
Post-mortem for a failure
Every unexpected death merits an examination for the cause, and the recent national elections are no exception. Even though the Democratic party spent multiples of what the GOP invested in the effort, the results were spectacularly overwhelming: both houses and the White House safely in GOP hands. For those still in a state of shock at this turnaround, there was a clear and unmistaken message: the American people do not believe in the illogical, counterproductive direction the country has taken since Obama was first inaugurated and perpetuated through the current lameduck administration.
Neither west coast celebrities and techno billionaires nor east coast ivy-league “elites” ever seemed to get in touch with the heartland middle- class American citizen. Instead, they slandered them as deplorables, garbage, and the masses. And they talked down to them through TV, newspapers, and all media forms. Ordinary Americans do not take kindly to insults. The overreaching cause of the election rout was the simple fact that the liberal platform was/is diametrically opposed to what most citizens believe to be self-evident truths – just a sampling of the illogical nonsense that repelled voters: The Green (climate control expense) New Deal will help save the planet even if it impoverishes Americans.
Bigger government is good for the country because elected officials know best what is good for citizens.
Men can self-identify as female andPresto!becomewomen.
“Males” competing in women’s sport is all right.
Same-sex “marriage” is just as valid as traditional.
National borders are unnecessary.
America was founded and its economy based on slavery.
Being white and financially successful equates to being racist.
Our current population is essentially that of being an oppressor orbeing oneoftheoppressed.
Russia, N. Korea, Communist China, and Iran are our enemies today because the U.S. has provoked them; we should reach out with friendship, not hostile actions.
Capitalism is bad, but a welfare state is good.
Diversity, equity, inclusion are more important than work & merit.
Inflation was caused by corporate greed, not bad government policies.
The list is almost endless, but the tone is plainly there. Most Americans are more concerned with the quality of life, their safety, an economy that rewards work/sacrifice with opportunity, and government that supports such an economy than they are about artificial crises such as transgender and pronoun problems.
Bottom line: the election proved conclusively that Americans do not want this nonsense, recognize that most of it is nuts, and will not have it if they are free to make a choice. They did!
God bless America!
El Sellers, Fairfield
