Harris Swats Pence in Debate

Ramón Del Castillo, PhD

Millions of Americans sat in front of their televisions, munching on popcorn and soda, hoping that the loggerhead debate that Trump and Biden engaged in two weeks ago would not be repeated. The first debate was truly farcical and unfit for television. It might make a wonderful sitcom.

One major criticism of the VP debate was the amateur facilitator, who apparently did not learn from the last presidential debate to shut off the microphones for those who broke the rules. Or perhaps, she did not have access to the decisions made as the process unfolded. Pence’s penchant was an exact replica of what Trump attempted to do, except with a bit more finesse—manage the conversation through the use of tactics that gobble up the time with an unwillingness to respond directly to the questions posed to him.

Kamala Harris stepped into another den of political wolves with the poise of a seasoned politician and debated a seasoned rhetorician—whose responses were characteristic of a puppet, frothing at the mouth with a rabid taste, whose strings were pulled by a puppet master, with walking papers and a whip. Kamala swatted Pence with verbal ingenuity and an imagination of where the Biden/Harris campaign would take América—a strategy to heal a broken nation.

What is the common American looking for?

Americans want to hear the truth, an honest assessment of where América is at with respect to COVID and the risks involved, with strategies that can mitigate the threats. They want to know how we can win this invisible war. Americans want someone who can admit that the country is in crisis and realistically develop plans to lead Americans into safer and sacred spaces. The problem is that the current leader cannot discern the difference between truth and falsity. President Trump’s deceptive behavior, filled with fallacies and outright lies, only fools his blind followers.

What is the common American looking for? Americans want to hear the truth, an honest assessment of where América is at with respect to COVID and the risks involved, with strategies that can mitigate the threats. They want to know how we can win this invisible war. Americans want someone who can admit that the country is in crisis and realistically develop plans to lead Americans into safer and sacred spaces.

Americans want someone who respects the Constitution and its famous words…life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Citizens realize that we do not have a perfect union, but want someone who will work at eradicating the fallible attributes of human beings as they strive to live in harmony in a changing world. Governance of the people, for the people and by the people is a grand challenge; yet to be fully achieved. Our time on this earth should be spent in creating and living in peace and tranquility. Kamala gave hope for the immediate future—not a panacea full of wishful thinking, but a challenge for all Americans to hard wo—knowing Americans will survive.

Americans want effective leadership—not dictatorship from someone who emulates world renowned authoritarian leaders known for decimating their own people. They want a leader who will stand up to the insults hurled by foreign powers bent on destroying American democracy. A leader who will stand up to bullies that shout racial invectives at those who do not fit the social and cultural norms for being an American. They want a leader who is willing to work with state and local leaders to address the many challenges Americans are facing in highly charged racial environments. They do not want a leader who sounds reveille for the aficionados of the Ku Klux Klan, seditious men on the brink of starting a Civil War.

The common American is looking for some semblance of economic stability—ongoing support and opportunities provided by taxpayer dollars as the country begins a rebuilding process. Americans want jobs so that they can feed their families, pay their rent and put food on the table. They want to work hard and make an honest living. Americans do not want handouts filled with egotistic false generosity, lacking true charity. They do not want to sacrifice their dignity to someone who criticizes human beings in need. Trump’s type of handouts results in loss of self-esteem and self-worth for those whose ultimate fate rests in the hands of Congress. True charity restores the soul; false generosity destroys the will.

Americans want to live in a safe environment so that they can practice freedom, knowing that current restrictions caused by the pandemic will eventually be addressed. An environment where la tierra is taken care of–where human beings can breathe fresh air, drink clean water, and work in gardens in communion with Mother Earth.

Americans want to create a mantra of social justice with police accountability—the development of policies that won’t allow police brutality to remain the norm. Americans do not want to hear sloganeering such as Pence playing to the tune of Trump’s “law and order,” partially admitting that police brutality has taken place but with more emphasis on the thugs and criminals involved in the Black Lives Matter Movement.

Americans want to create unity among all groups and cultures where our children can learn about the many contributions made by all groups—a restoration of history that tells authentic stories.

Amidst the moral indignation displayed by the Trump campaign and his followers. It must be difficult to follow a cult leader whose ambitions, that are supposed to be for the common good, are self-serving, with punitive feedback for anyone who doesn’t walk the chalk line. It must cause psychological trepidation from staff members, at least those with a veneer of a social conscience, knowing that you are forced to adhere to a pack of lies.

As we are all aware, the second debate was cancelled. Fate was not in Donald Trump’s camp. His fate remains with those who have blindly followed him and it may be not enough to keep him in office.

One of the best ways to achieve a collective destiny under democracy is to—Vote!

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