Decision Time

The United States of America’s election day is little more than a week away. I believe it is important to tell my acquaintances, friends, family, and other readers how I intend to vote and why.

Donald Trump was not my choice to be the Republican nominee, but “Around here, baby, I’ve learned you get what you can get.” (Note 1)

Trump is the only choice who will protect what I will vote for. So the electors I will vote for are his.

• I’m voting for free market capitalism. Obviously, some regulation of commerce, the exchange of goods and services is necessary. But legislation and rules that masquerade as commercial regulation, particularly by the federal government, can hamstring free enterprise, particularly for small businesses and start-ups. As far as being “authoritarian,” Obama, with his “pen and phone,” and Biden, with his attempts to cancel student debts, ban petroleum production, and mandate electric cars, have been far more authoritarian. Trump’s use of executive orders have been to eliminate or restrict rampant non-legislative rule-making.

• I’m voting for the U.S. to have energy independence. The availability and cost of energy is the principal driver of inflation. Yes, yes, I know the climate may be changing – I am not a denier. But I know history. The earth’s climate has changed many times — without human assistance. Banning fossil fuels, which is the only source of energy that is dense, portable, abundant, and safe is a major part of the left-wing agenda that the other candidate has espoused, no matter what she says on the campaign trail. Anyway, try coercing China and India, whose carbon output is massive compared to the United States, into cutting their fossil fuel use. Won’t happen.

• I’m voting for the First Amendment, that includes freedom for free exercise of religious beliefs, together with freedom of speech and expression. This includes the right to speak opinion and not be censored — by government or public utilities that have (express or implied) government franchises (e.g., social media).

• I’m voting to preserve Second Amendment rights for honest citizens to defend their life and their property.

• I’m voting for the future Supreme Court Justice(s) to protect the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and for the appointment of lower court Federal Judges to do the same. Many members of Congress see their primary function as getting re-elected to their good-paying and prestigious job that they have abrogated the hard choices to administrative agencies that they create. Those agencies have become an oligarchy that is the real threat America’s democratic republic. There are finally sufficient Justices who are reining in that oligarchy. I note that there is consternation among many citizens that the overruling of Roe v. Wade was an abrogation of women’s rights. Regardless of one’s position on the subject of abortion, is should be decided by the people of each state, not by five (or more) lawyers who wear black robes

• I’m voting for the continued growth of retirement funds (401K & IRAs) and the stock markets on which they depend. Those are under threat by some prominent leftists with their promotion of a so-called “wealth tax” to tax unrealized capital gains. Such a tax would cause the collapse of the markets, and destroy the retirement funds, not to mention incentives for investment in enterprise.

• I am voting to maintain the viability and strength of the federal system. Our union is that of states, not provinces. The complaint that, for example, the votes of people in Wyoming count more than the votes of those in California with many time the population is untrue. At the state level, which is where it counts for everyday life, the citizens of the states have equal say with each other. There was a recent cartoon in the daily newspaper when in the first panel the character asked “What is the purpose of the electoral College?” The second panel’s character replied “To protect us from democracy.”(Note 2) Now, I am sure that the sense that the cartoonist wished to convey was not complimentary. “Democracy” has become a sacred-cow shibboleth. But the answer was correct. Democracy, in the sense of 51% majority rule (known as plebiscitary democracy) can be as oppressive and tyrannical, especially to the other 49%, as a monarchy, dictatorship, or oligarchy. The Electoral College serves to mitigate the possibility of ill effects of a pure 51% rule. (Note 3)

• I’m voting for the police to be respected to ensure law & order without which there is no liberty. Full disclosure: I am a former police officer. “Protect and Serve” is the motto seen on police cars and other media. The best way to further that duty is to take lawbreakers off the street. To further that duty prosecutors must do their job and prosecute according to law. Mitigation of social problems is a job for legislatures, primarily at the state level, and the people at large, not social engineering by the executive branch, federal or state

• I’m voting for secure borders and legal immigration, and to stanch human trafficking and drug smuggling. On day one of the current Administration, Biden opened the floodgates. Trump would in good measure close them; his opponent, if elected, will not.

• I’m voting for our staunchest ally in the Middle East, Israel, and its right to exist and defend itself, as its leaders determine. Moral support, intelligence, and supply of necessary materiel to Israel is essential. Please note that I am not advocating direct military action other than defensive air and naval support like the Iron Dome and repelling attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.

• I’m voting for international peace for strength. Trump may be unpredictable in foreign affairs, but that can be a strength. If nothing else, he has had a career being a successful maker. His opponent would have not credibility with Putin, Xi, or Kim. Certainly not with the Ayatollah. A contemporary article by a former Congressman (Republican) from Texas laments that the United States has not yet elected a women for President. Well, that might be a concern to some, but his comparisons are inapposite. Trump’s opponent is certainly no “Iron Lady” Margaret Thatcher, Golda Meir, Indira Gandhi, or Angela Merkel. (Note 4)

• Finally, I’m also voting for my Republican candidate for Senate and House of Representatives who will limit the possible harm. If anyone stomach to vote for Trump because of his personality, he or she must vote for the Representative and Senatorial candidate who will oppose the elimination of the Senate’s super-majority rule, the packing of the Supreme Court and other federal courts, and the executive’s attempt to rule by a pen and a phone.

Note 1 — Apologies to Bruce Springsteen, who is for the other candidate. His song is “Tougher than the Rest” in the Tunnel of Love album (1987). Covered by Emmylou Harris (1990) and others.

Note 2 — “B.C.” by Mastroianni & Hart; https://www.gocomics.com/bc/2024/10/12

Note 3 — See David Lowenstein, “What Democracy is Not,” Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy, p. 57 (Winter 2024); also, Tara Ross, Enlightened Democracy — the Case for the Electoral College (2004, 2012).

Note 4 — Alan Steelman, “Will Nov. 5 be the next step for American women?” The Dallas Morning News, Sunday, October 27, 2024, Section P, pg. 1. I would also include in the comparison Giorgia Meloni, the rising star Italian Prime Minister who has already shown her mettle. Steelman could have also included Nikki Haley, who will surely be in the arena in 2028.