A friend in Wyoming who happens to be the significant other of one of my best longtime friends wrote this explanation of why he is voting for Biden. It comes as close to the reason why I am doing the same as anything else I’ve read, so I wanted to share it with you:
Why I am Voting for Biden, by Duffy Exon
After reading a copy and paste declaration on the page of one of my few remaining trumpkin friends, I thought about it for a few minutes. It’s a pity the GOP didn’t use it for a Party platform, because it spells out the ideals of the Party much more eloquently than the “whatever the orange guy says”, that is apparently the platform this year. It inspired me, as a matter of fact, to examine and write my own.
I’m voting for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. They weren’t my first choice, but I believe that they’ll get the United States closer to what we like to think we are as a nation and as a people.
I may be a starry eyed fool, but I believe in all those things that we say when we pledge allegiance to the flag. I believe that we are one nation, not warring tribes of self-centered John Galts, one nation that includes everyone who wants act together to build the United States for the common good of all our citizens. I believe that we are under G*d, however you choose to define Him/Her/It, even if you don’t wish to define or believe. (It’s kinda in the Bill of Rights). I believe that the government shouldn’t really have a say in how or what you worship.
I believe that “Liberty and Justice for all”, stuff too. Not more liberty and justice for me because I’m an old white man who lives in Wyoming. Liberty and justice for ALL, even if you live in a housing project or in a storm drain or under an overpass. That means my vote ought to count just as much as my cousin’s vote in California. It means getting rid of things we did to make slaveholders feel good in the eighteenth century. Yeah, I know. “Tyranny by the majority”… is that really better than tyranny by the minority?
I’m voting for Joe Biden because of the Supreme Court. I want Supreme Court Justices that are scholars of the Constitution, not ideologues that think that money = speech, and corporations are people. I want people on that bench who remember who John Marshall was, and what he did for the concept of checks and balances. I want a woman’s health decisions to be between her, her physician and her clergy, if she chooses to have one present, not someone from the Department of Health Services. If you want rights for children, that needs to include rights for those who have made it out of the birth canal. Like not being locked in a cage because your parents dared to dream of a better life for you.
The Second Amendment is now settled law, thanks to Heller and McDonald. That’s fine by me. It’s not wise to mess with Stere Decisis. You know, like Rowe v. Wade?
I believe that everyone who puts on the uniform of this nation, military or civilian law enforcement officers, need to be fully protected and fairly compensated. We spend a trillion dollars a year on the military. A living wage is not too much to ask for those who protect us. We should not be looking the other way when our adversaries place bounties on the heads of our soldiers.
The police need to be police, not mental health professionals, educators, or substance abuse councilors. They need high standards of training and they need to be compensated accordingly. We need to stop expecting them to cover our parenting mistakes.
And further, I believe that everyone has rights, given by G*d, and that includes affordable healthcare. Yeah, I know that it costs money. It’s money that we pay as insurance premiums, fees for services or taxes. There really is no such thing as a free lunch.
I am the great grandchild of immigrants. I haven’t forgotten that. If you’re here, you are either the descendant of slaves, First Nations People or immigrants too. Don’t forget it and try to slam the gate behind you. Let’s get a workable process for those that wish to come here and be one of us.
Finally, I’m voting for Biden because I’m sick of people that want to mess up the world our Creator gave us for money or for fun, then run away. If you make a mess, clean it up. My mom taught me. I taught my kids. They’re teaching theirs. I don’t know why it didn’t soak in to BP Arco, Rio Tinto or Chevron Texaco.
That’s why. You can feel free to disagree with me, and we can even discuss it politely if you like. You might change my mind, but you’ll have to be civil and support your arguments.
lifelessons - a blog by Judy Dykstra-Brown 
Wow! This was so well stated! My goodness. My thoughts exactly (on all points) but I get so worked up on the issues that I can’t form sentences, lol. So thanks for sharing such a well-constructed argument. I’ll stuff your thoughts into my brain for the next time someone tries to start a debate with me. You (the fella sharing his opinion) should be on some political panel!
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I’m sure Duffy will be glad to read your response.
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Wow! As closely as I read every entry in your blog, Dear, I somehow missed this one when you posted this lovely screed by Duffy! I have nits to pick, but it’s spot on in SO many ways! Now that the election is over (?) I look forward to moving forward. Thanks, Duffy!
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