Having just returned from today’s well-attended demonstration in Packwood, I came away with some questions and concerns I’d like to ask of my right-wing neighbors.
Most of the responses we got from the cars travelling through Packwood were positive, however there was a minority that saw fit to offer us the one-fingered salute, suggesting that we get jobs and flashing the thumbs down gesture. Our signs included those that spoke out against starting new wars, stopping federal police from harassing citizens, young mothers, people trying to buy groceries and disabled people trying to get to their medical appointments.
One question that has been on my mind was, what has Trump done to make their lives better? With the cost of living out of control, millions of people on the verge of losing access to health care and ending our alliances with countries that have fought beside us through several wars.
Previously, I asked a neighbor what he felt Trump has done to improve his life. He responded, “He’s getting rid of the Mexicans.” If his response reflects the thinking of other Trump followers, I can only conclude that they don’t care if their lives don’t improve as long as people with a skin tone darker than theirs are made to suffer.
Christian nationalism has guided those seeking salvation to believe that a convicted sex predator and rapist guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records along with countless grifts and behavior that would not be tolerated by a civil society be chosen to save our country. Television has broadcast the president praising a Jesus he has never known.
How can this be happening?
Trump has done all he can to destroy political alliances that have kept the world in one piece since the end of World War II. His admiration of authoritarian leaders like Putin, Kim Jong Un and Victor Orban may explain why he has chosen to join them.
I’m asking people in Lewis County to respond with facts to my questions and concerns to help me understand where logic has failed me.
Doug Findley
Randle
