PREFACE:

Before I post anything of significance to social media, I ask my wife Tracy to review.  Not only is she the best editor I’ve ever known, but she is also much wiser than I when it comes to things of the heart, and interacting with other humans.

For what I believe may be the very first time, she had no suggested changes from what you read below.  However, she did point out that the second to last paragraph is likely the most important.  I agree and have duplicated that paragraph here in the preface, in an effort to lead with my heart, as I know that some (many?) will take great exception to what I have to say in this post. 

BTW – I welcome all feedback.  But I do ask that we keep the conversation civil and hopefully productive.  I know emotions run very high these days, and what I’ve said here might seem like heresy to some. But if we cannot have important conversations, especially now, as our tension levels run so high and there is so much at stake, I fear we may be doomed. 

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At some point in the summer of 2015, I completely checked out of our modern-day news reporting.  More specifically I turned off all input regarding politics – lock, stock, and barrel.  

I was disappointed, dismayed, and more than a bit sad that in a country of roughly 200 million adults, we had pre-selected Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump as our two candidates for our highest office.  These two were the bright shining examples that we collectively felt were best qualified to lead our country? Seriously?

I couldn’t bear to follow the campaign cycle to its conclusion, and I turned off all media input for what I thought would be a short while.  Turned out to be about 4 years.  

For better or worse, I’m back in the mix. I’ve been paying attention, thinking a lot about what’s going on today, and shaking my head.    

And I’m even more upset by what I see today than what was taking place four years ago.  Donald Trump has, for almost four years now, led us down a terribly divisive, antagonistic, and destructive path. It seems to me that boosting his own ego is much more important to him than doing what is right for our country.   

I’ve been a registered Republican since the day I could vote. I’ve pretty much voted the conservative ticket every time I’ve stepped into the booth.  But there’s simply no way I can vote for four more years of this mess. 

I can’t say I’m going to enthusiastically vote for Joe Biden.  But I will vote for Joe and Kamala. It seems to be the only reasonable choice. 

Yes, I’m concerned about where a Biden/Harris ticket might take us in four years.  I don’t agree with some of their viewpoints. But I disagree with almost everything Trump has to say.  He has been so caustic and divisive that I’m concerned about what four more years of Donald Trump as president might do to our nation. 

For the next eight weeks leading up to our election, I’d like to share some thoughts as to how and why I’ve come to this conclusion, and will for the first time in my life, pull the lever for a democrat. 

If this interests you at all, I’d like to encourage you to click the follow button below to receive updates via email.

BTW – I welcome all feedback.  But I do ask that we keep the conversation civil and hopefully productive.  I know emotions run very high these days, and what I’ve said here might seem like heresy to some. But if we cannot have important conversations, especially now, as our tension levels run so high and there is so much at stake, I fear we’re doomed. 

I don’t know that my writing will amount to much of anything, but I cannot be silent for another four years.  There’s too much at stake, and if nothing else, I want to be able to say, “I tried to make a difference”.  

Peace always,

Darren