Calm before the shitshow.

End the chaos

My thoughts about last night’s debate between President Trump and former Vice President Biden boil down to this: It’s 2:00 in the morning US Pacific Time. I have insomnia. I’m depressed. I’m sickened. And I despair for the future of my country.

If you’re a Trump supporter, I have to ask: Are you OK with this? How can you possibly be OK with this? Is there anything about his behavior that looks presidential to you? Would you accept that type of behavior from your children? Is he really someone you look up to? How do you feel after watching this performance? Better? Comforted? Reassured? Do you have faith that he would lead us through the multitude of crises we’re in, especially the over 200,000 deaths from COVID-19? If so, where can I pick up some of those rose-colored glasses of yours? Or are those blinders?

For the rest of us, we are downright scared.

My wife and I were talking about finances before the debates. I told her I didn’t feel comfortable investing in anything until after the election. We’ve put off on doing a lot of things during this pandemic. I had to replace my computer because my old one was starting to break down, but most other things are off the table. We don’t even know what we’re going to do for the holidays or our 30th wedding anniversary in December. We don’t know if there will be a December.

At difficult times like these, you need a leader who can reassure the public. You want a Churchill who gives people the confidence to keep fighting. A Kennedy who can keep a steady hand through a dangerous situation. A Reagan who can crack a joke when his life is in danger. You want leaders who inspire, comfort, and reassure. Someone who can guide us through the chaos.

The last thing you need is someone who generates chaos. Someone who stirs fear when there is already plenty to be afraid of. Someone who appeals to our worst instincts. Someone who gives a nod and a wink to the most violent and racist elements in our society.

I want to be able to have intelligent debates about policy again. I don’t want to have to worry about our nation collapsing into a dictatorship or civil war. I don’t want to despair for the future. I don’t want to dread watching the news. I don’t want to have insomnia from watching a presidential debate.

You can pick apart everything about former Vice President Biden from his policy positions to his age. He will not solve everything overnight. He will not usher in utopia. But he will do one thing we and the rest of the world desperately need right now. He will end the chaos.

So when you vote, take off the rose-colored glasses or blinders, look at the nation honestly, and ask yourself: Do I really want four more years of this? Or do I want to end the chaos? Choose wisely.