Donald Trump’s recent pitch to black voters-–and the electorate in general—is: “Try Me. What Have You Got To Lose?”
Putting aside the used-car-salesman-slash-snake-oil-salesman-slash-Jon-Lovitz-pathological-liar like vibe that is emanating from The Donald, as well as the rampant institutional racism, we decided to just take him at face value and answer his question. Taking it from the perspective of what do we all have to lose, the answer, it turns out, is a lot.
So, without further ado, our Top Ten Things That We Have To Lose If We Elect Donald Trump.
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1. All of the progress we have made in the last 50 years, especially in the area of Civil Rights and race relations.
Black voters already know this.
It is up to everyone else to understand—this loss will be catastrophic.
How many teachers will feel justified in their treating students of color differently? How many police officers will feel justified in delivering justice with guns blazing to unarmed folks of color? How many loan officers will deny financing to qualified folks of color? How much harsher will sentencing be for folks of color?
It’s how the intrinsic bias shifts that influences the culture of the country. And that’s already happening.
Make no doubt about it—Trump isn’t really talking to black people when he is asking the question. He is talking to his base. And the next 9 points are what those in his base – and the rest of us! – have to lose.
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2. Our standing in the international community.
Not talking about you, Vladimir Putin. You silly.
But the rest of the world:
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3. Marriage equality.
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4. Affordable (and legal) reproductive care.
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5. A stable economy built for a modern age of innovation.
Trump’s policies of isolationism, high tariffs, and promises to return to a manufacturing economy that is never coming back have been roundly criticized by economic experts. Oh no—the “E Word!” We almost forgot, we shouldn’t trust experts; the people who have spent their lives studying a particular issue. Oops.
From the Wall Street Journal:
“A new analysis concludes Donald Trump’s economic proposals, taken at face value, could produce a prolonged recession and heavy job losses that would fall hardest on low- and middle-income workers.”
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6. Any hope at reasonable gun control regulations.
Donald Trump on Hillary Clinton:
“By the way, if she gets to pick her judges,” Trump said. “Nothing you can do, folks. Although the Second Amendment people, maybe there is, I don’t know.”
And if you believe that he was referring to “The Second Amendment People” banding together their political power to vote against Hillary…well…I’ve got a bridge to sell you. (I’m sure Donald probably does have an actual bridge to sell you.)
Back to the point: Trump has shamelessly courted and encouraged violence. He has courted the NRA and “The Second Amendment People.” He dog whistles, they come running. Their agenda does not include reasonable gun regulations or seeking a path towards finding consensus on this issue. Neither does his.
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7. A government that actually represents all of the people it is designed to serve—and works on improving the lives of everyone who lives here.
Our government hasn’t always done this. But they have set out to course correct as the world changes. There’s been a cultural bias in the US since the end of WWII that has sought to improve the equality of American society (in light of everything the US soldiers encountered in fascist Europe). Truman used executive power to desegregate the military, Eisenhower sent federal troops to desegregate southern schools, etc.).
This would end. The executive branch would be in essence giving up on improving society.
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8. A system that actually does believe “All men (and women) are created equal” and deserve equal rights under laws.
These ones should be pretty self-explanatory by now.
Trump has alienated “The Blacks,” “The Gays,” “The Jews,” “The Muslims,” Mexicans, Women, and pretty much every group of people other than angry white Christian males.
Our richness, our beauty, and our competitive advantage in the world is our diversity. It’s what actually does make this country great. This is the United States of America. Not the United States of White Male Supremacy. Let’s keep it that way.
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9. Separation of Church and State.
Trump has sold his soul to the Christian Right. And they have sold their souls to him.
Exhibit 1: Trump recently formed an Evangelical Executive Board to advise him on issues affecting Evangelicals.
Exhibit 2: Trump’s recent meeting with Evangelical Leaders:
“We have to bring those values back. We have to bring that spirit back. And in a way, it’s been taken way from you by the federal government and by these horrendous things that have been allowed in the past. But just remember this: You are the most powerful group in this country. But you have to realize that. You have to band together. You have to band together. If you don’t band together, you’re really not powerful. You have a powerful church. I see it. I see some of these incredible pastors and ministers and people that speak so brilliantly. And I see it. But they’re great within their audience but then outside they don’t have it. You have to band together as a group. And if you do that, you will bring it back like nothing has ever been brought back.”
(A favorite pic of Trump with Evangelical Leaders, as well as his Framed Cover of Playboy)
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10. Our Dignity.
Take it away Whitney.
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Photo Credit: Associated Press/File
Join our #StopTrump task force today.
(Weekly conference calls with like-minded people who want to stop a candidate who is racist, sexist, bigoted, incites violence and is demonstrating no competence for the job at hand.)
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Is this site also biased and in the Clinton camp? I like your site, but your opinions are just what they are…opinions and not facts…as for me, I’m voting for Donald and Hillary needs to be in jail….wake up America!
Gary, this site is called the Good Men Project. Trump is not being a good man, regardless of his big-picture policies or beliefs. American men — let alone presidents — should not mock disabled people, dishonor decorated veterans, and encourage foreign govern governments to commit behavior, both directly and indirectly, threaten our country.
Kind of like- “Smoke crack- what do you have to lose?”
That is a terrible analogy. It might apply if you were talking about continuing down the socialist path, but you’re not. Foe example, I look around and see the devastation that crack has done. So when someone asks my to try it, what harm can it do, I look around and see what my own eyes can see what harm it can do. And has done. No. Want no part of that. In this case I look around and see the waste and devastation the Democratic policies have done to people and the nation. Basically you fed them crack. What… Read more »
Mark we seem to see things much clearer than the liberals. I hear many say Trump is no conservative but anyway you cut it, he is a lot closer to the right than Hillary. Hillarys agenda follows the traditional Democratic Party by spend and tax and get minority’s indebted to them. I like to think of Trump like this. He is definitely not a liberal and may not be conservative enough if you compare him to Ted Cruz. That said, I think he is more of a independent and pragmatist. He sees a problem and wants to fix it. He… Read more »
Except worse. I think.
Is this a Hillary site. We do not lose anything with trump. We gain from full business skills in the whouse. Pre election dtrump is not the same as what he is as elected.
If you expect the man to become a different man once elected you are really fooling yourself. And “business skills” – that’s a myth. Born into money. Used it to push people around. Screwed a whole lot of people.
A prez is about the people around him/her/it and not about the Pres themselves, Trump has good teams and present skilled people that will help clean up the Wash mess. Business people like Trump let depts. drive their space vs Hill or Obamaa who micro manage to get personal press.
That’s the point Tom. The president can say just about anything. But if s/he is surrounded by smart people who do have the entire countries best interest at heart that’s who gets my vote. Hilary ain’t it. She’ll surround herself with the most corrupt people she can find.
Seriously? “Prez is about people around him and not the Prez.” That’s your argument for why you are voting for Trump? Wow. Is that a serious argument? At any rate, who are his good advisors. Name three. I’ll go first. Sarah Palin and the 2 campaign managers he fired.
They will not be his administration cabinet Michael. David Clark will be there. I’d follow that man anywhere. This current president or the next hopeful of the Democrats I wouldn’t follow across the street. I don’t trust them one bit with my life. Mealy mouthed for themselves is all. No real character. Baton Rouge is drowning and he plays golf. He’s done this his entire presidency. But gets other folks to do his work he should be doing himself. Hilary is the same cut of cloth.
Michael, born into money, yes and he made it grow into a empire. On the other hand in Hillarys words, “we were flat broke when we left the White House” now she and Bill are worth over 130MM 16 years later. How? Pay for play! Hillary sold access to the State Department plus Bill was paid 2-3 times greater for his speaking events once Hillary became Secretary of State. Trump may tough and in your words a bully but it takes a tough SOB to run the office of the President. I would rather elect a tough guy than a… Read more »
This article is a great example of why people like myself who avoid politics are coming out to vote FOR Trump. The accusations here without discussions of specific facts are typical of both Left and Right “news” coverage these days. Sanders and Trump were/are both bringing up specific issues, and offer general to specific solutions to those issues. I suspect the real worry expressed in this article is that Republican party fossils couldn’t squelch the voice of the people the way their Democrat counterparts did with Sanders, and there might actually be a less-owned, less-above-the-law President coming into office since… Read more »
That’s a really interesting conspiracy theory there. But I’ll play along. What are the specific issues and solutions that Mr. Trump is offering you?
50 years of social progressive policies put forth by the Democrats have left us a a whole so much worse off than we started with. You guys absolutely refuse to see it. Time to try another way. This one is not the way. Poor black Americans are far worse off economically than they were to begin with. There are no real jobs here anymore. You supplanted that with generations on welfare and they can’t get out. Our education system has failed them. Culture has failed them and most of all the Democrats failed them. They gave them just enough to… Read more »
Got that right. Demolition is democrats common methods
Mark, you are absolutely correct with your statements above. Michael apparently subscribes to the Rules for Radicals by Saul Alinsky if he believe Obama has done a good job. Moreover if he thinks Hillary can do better he is totally wrong on that notion too. There will be more spending of money we don’t have, higher taxes and more regulations that do nothing more than to kill jobs. We will be lucky if my generation doesn’t see a socialist party or at the very least a country that looks very much like Europe. These idiots do not seem to understand… Read more »
On the money Jerry and we will have a Prez that is already disliked around the globe…as we have right now…
Mark, I would not at all say that you’re an idiot. I agree with many of your sentiments regarding the failure of the Great Society — and how low expectations have harmed black Americans. But I cannot ever support a man like Donald Trump for the presidency. Even if some of his ideas are directionally correct, his behavior and conduct are deplorable. For every one piece of outreach that he does to bring a group into his message, he alienates four other groups. He regularly acts like a teenager. He’s not fit for the office. The Republicans need to find… Read more »
I agree with David’s comment above.
Of course you do. I’d expect nothing less, and I’m not disappointed.
While I agree his mannerisms leave much to be desired, his basic philosophy is better than we’ve had for a very long time. My sole point is this shouldn’t be merely a popularity and personality contest. After 8 years of the bullying, lies and deception, the lack of any enforcement or even sense of fairness, coupled with failed social policies over about 50 years, isn’t it time to try something else? I personally think it is far past its due.
Thank you Mike for sharing. I am from Irvington NJ. Really great article.
Chenard Cherilus WG’07
Thanks Chenard. Much appreciated neighbor!
As soon as I read your first paragraph, I knew you were a complete dingbat. No president except for Mr. Obama himself (in his mind and actions) is above the constitution, where little idiosyncrasies as civil rights are guaranteed. Only a complete mindless buffoon would think the president would come in and set back civil rights legislation, when it is not within his power or predilection to do so. But keep dreaming that Mrs. Clinton and her bottle of hot sauce gives a rip about black people. Remember, her adulterous husband put more black people in prison with his crime… Read more »
Ouch. Dingbat.
Let me also point something out Michael. Some commentary here talks about a coming civil war. Which I believe it is. Liberals here pooh pooh it. But comments like yours, above, show complete disrespect to someone else’s passion. I you said that face to face what do you think the reaction would be? Certainly not rational discourse. And some of the disrespectful language and postures from the left are going to fuel a whole lot of anger, that then you’ll blame on the crazy bat shit far right. That’s how this is more than likely going down. And then you’ll… Read more »
I’m sorry but where was I disrespectful Mark?
You’re reply was pure sarcasm. Like whoop de do, name calling. I got it immediately.
Ah. Well that’s because I found the name calling disrespectful and unnecessary.
Then I might suggest you calling the individual out about it rather than playing tit for tat. Much as the same I did when I saw your comment. It’s how we can keep the discourse civil. Which gosh knows today we need this more than anything.
Civil war? While I don’t think it’s a impossibility, it’s certainly not imminent. That said there are literary millions of hunters in the USA. Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin alone have more than 2 million outdoorsman. All with many weapons. Given the anti gun anti 2nd amendment stance the left has; the liberals would be anialated in a matter of days. They know this and would not want to start a civil war. Groups like Black Lives Matter are pushing the limits of tolerance. Obama and the liberals seem to take pride in fueling the fire.
That’s the point, John. Thanks for saying so. Lily liberal white folks summoned to a cause they know nothing about but dang the words feel nice. I believe in supporting people to help them get themselves up. Treat them as capable adults. They don’t need generational handouts, they need some respect that comes only from them doing the work. They get little respect by holding out their hands for what the politicians give them. That’s white and black. Don’t get me wrong. But the Democrats hold their noses and their distance from the folks here. What they do do is… Read more »
Re #1) Meanwhile, I teach students of color as well as first- and second-generation Muslims. I’ve already had two types of challenges: (1) Students who wonder, even more than they did before, why they’re not welcome in their own country and (2) teaching students that bullying, lying, and aggression are wrong… when the GOP candidate won his position through bullying, lying, and aggression.
How do we convince ourselves that we’re a moral country when nearly half of us have selected this person as their standard-bearer?
Good points, Paul, but we simply can’t call a majority of the GOP base, half of us. 13,000,000 votes is a lot, but its not half of us. Not by a long shot.
Just another stupid reply. With 16 other candidates it would be next to impossible to have more than 45%. If each candidate got only 3% the most Trump could have gotten would be 52%.
Bullying lies and aggression.
Oh yeah *never* saw any of that from the Clinton campaign. Nope.
“But Hillary…!”
The most common defense of Trump’s positions is some version of this tu quoque. If that’s all there is in defense of Trump, then there’s nothing in his defense at all.
Wait a second. You made a statement and someone replies with facts, and then you say its not a defense at all? Your comment about bullying and lies and aggression was true- except you applied it only to one side. Then you discredit a factual reply because you don’t like it. Is that honest or fair? Seems you are trying to do one thing and one thing only- discredit the political party you don’t agree with. Because if you really DID care about the lessons to be learned and about honesty and morality- you’d have the courage to say “You’re… Read more »
There are no facts in 8ball’s comment, just a “But Hillary does it too!”
That is a fact. Unless you are saying she hasn’t lied. Or that Bernie wasn’t bullied and that he actually had a chance to win.
Which is a fact, kiddo.
Your first mistake is assuming I’m trying to defend Trump
Paul- you make a fair point about bullying, lying and aggression. But it goes both ways- Hillary did the same. Bernie never had a chance because of Superdelegates. And the lies from her are endless. Is that moral? Or fair?
Superdelegates are not cheating or bullying. That was the process from the beginning. Playing by the rules, even if the rules themselves are unfair (and I’m not saying superdelegates ARE unfair), is by definition not cheating.
Clinton has told a few lies here and there, but the fact-checking agencies consistently rate Clinton and Sanders as among the most honest of the politicians. Trump, meanwhile, is consistently rated as among the most consistent liars.
Clinton should not lie, but it’s absurd to claim her level of dishonestly is at all comparable to Trump’s.
Superdelegates is a very unfair system and way of things, so more or less, it is cheating. Bernie never had a chance though he should have. But I certainly see your point there. If you think Hillary has “told a few lies”, then I would suggest you haven’t paid much attention over the past 20 years. Because “a few” is a tremendous understatement so I’d say her level of dishonesty is probably more than his (and from every fact check I have seen- she’s done plenty of lying too, so I am not sure where you are getting your info… Read more »