This may come as a shock to our readers but we will say it all the same. This year’s Presidential Election is already lost! Yes, we know that voting has technically not yet begun. We realize that the early voting date in Moapa Valley is not until October 31; and Election Day is not until November 8. Nevertheless, it is true: the Presidential Election is already lost! No matter who wins the White House this year, the people of the nation, and quite possibly those of the entire world, will end up the greater losers for it.
The choices presented to the voters in this year’s race are abysmal. To adopt a phrase which has become well worn of late, the major candidates come from a “basket of deplorables” and are “utterly irredeemable.” Voters are being asked to reach their hands into that slithering basket of vipers, knowing full well they will get bit, but just hoping to pull out the one that will cause them the least injury.
On the one hand, we have a candidate with significant experience in government. But much of that experience has been spent in a careful practice of skirting rules and even down-right breaking the law. She has proven, time and again, that she is not to be trusted. Given this, and many other scandalous factors, Hillary Clinton should, by all rights, be an imminently weak and beatable candidate. And indeed, she is.
But the Republicans have, once again, shown a remarkable determination to ‘one-up’ the Democrats, even in the realm of picking the most hopeless candidates. If there is a worse candidate for President than Clinton, the Republicans may have found it in Donald Trump. Here is someone with virtually no experience in, and very little knowledge of, the American system of government. Selfish and narcissistic, running for President is not about service to country for Trump. Rather it seems about a self-indulgent capricious need to check off a bucket list item. Trump is unpredictable and impulsive. There is no telling what he truly believes, thinks or values – other than himself. He is brutally vindictive. When things don’t go his way, he makes no civil attempts to persuade or build consensus. Rather he savagely lashes out and seeks only for cruel retribution. In a world of deep political division at home and violent intolerance abroad, this fault may be his most dangerous.
Clearly, neither of these two mainstream candidates offer the leadership that the country desperately needs at a critical time. And while certain third party options may offer proven effective records of service, more honorable intentions and more reasonable and healthy temperaments; none of them have really gained much political traction. This fact may be regrettable; but it is also a simple and firm reality.
We thus find ourselves in a dark and dreary place in American political history. It is a disconcerting and frightening time for rational, moderate and middle-path Americans. And there are no easy answers. Given this impossible and dismal reality, the PROGRESS cannot in good conscience endorse ANY of the Presidential candidates this year.
We will however, make a strong recommendation; even a plea; to our readers. Though you may feel discouraged at the choices for President, don’t give up on the election. Don’t let the doom and gloom at the top of the ballot keep you away from coming to the polls and tending to the issues toward the bottom. Resign yourselves to the fact that the Presidential race is already lost, no matter which way you vote. It is something beyond your control at this point. So just make a quick choice one way or another: Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Green, whatever; or just leave that part of the ballot blank if you please.
Then continue down the ballot and make thoughtful decisions on the other races and issues that appear there. Most of these down-ballot matters are far from settled. And Moapa Valley voters can be an important factor in making those decisions wisely. Whatever you do, please don’t just stay home frustrated on Election Day!
In the upcoming weeks, this column will explore some of those down-ballot questions. We will make endorsements. As always, our readers can take them or leave them. But at least we hope that they will help readers in becoming better-informed voters.
Most importantly, readers, don’t despair! There is still hope that a new age of American leadership will finally emerge from the ashes of this Presidential debacle. Like one of our great modern leaders, we remain ever optimistic that, out of the darkest night, daybreak will eventually return to America!
