By LES KNOLL
Actually, I am reaching out to family members first, and then a few friends as well.
They say this is the most consequential election in our lifetime, Lots rests on our votes, maybe more than ever before in American history. Strike the word maybe. I agree this is not just another election coming up in November, especially for president, but also those in congress. It's an unprecedented election considering the stakes involved. It can make or break us as the best country in the world.
I would argue I have "some" half way decent credentials that qualifies me to present this writing. I have a B.S. (haha) and M.S. from Fort Hays and just short of a doctorate from Arizona State. I taught history and government at Ellis High School. After four years at Ellis High School, I worked as a counselor at Arizona State for three years then thirty two years at Mesa Community College as an administrator and counselor with faculty status.
My entire career has been in the field of education. Add to that I have been published in the Hays Daily and Hays Post over a hundred times. I study the news daily for several hours looking hard at both sides. However, that's not to say I know every thing. Lots, but not all.
I expect some criticism for the length of this writing. Maybe some of you will say "more information than I want to know." I would suggest for some that you read me in part at different times and not all of it at once. There's lots here to digest. Forgive me if it looks like I am repeating myself in some places. I do welcome responses, even if counter to my way of thinking. I do believe I am factual in what I present. Call me on it by text or email if you think any of what I present is just opinion. I believe I have presented facts.
On a humorous note: I qualify especially to speak about God in our politics through out this writing because the past three years I have played tennis some 200 times with a priest, even at the current age of 84. Surely, ha ha, some good stuff has rubbed off on me. Although I am a Catholic, I reach out to all Christians to look at our politics of today from a religious standpoint. In addition, obviously, we all, Christian or non-Christian, need to consider what is best for the country as a whole.
Granted, little is said about religion as part of today's politics. But that doesn't excuse any of us from putting it on the back burner. It is my opinion and, of course, you can disagree, but I see a huge divide when it comes to religion between the two political parties. I see a lot of good coming from one side and not so much good from the other. And, of course, I expect some of you to take issue with my thinking and tell me just what Democrats do that is Christian based. I can't find any.
The divide between Democrats and Republicans on all issues is like the Grand Canyon. There is no commonality, no compromise. There is total gridlock in the Democrat controlled House of Congress and pretty much anything else one can think of in order to insure Trump's failure. We all need to think about that fact. It's also a fact the differences between the two parties are like night and day, therefore, important to know the differences - obviously, in order to make an educated, intelligent, and informed vote in November.
How many of us are looking at one side only. If you are, think about it in as much as you may not be getting the truth from the side out to destroy a Trump presidency. Anti Trump media spends all of its time attacking Trump and may not even give its base information about what the Democrat Party is all about concerning agendas, other than their agenda of destroying Trump. What about the platform of Democrats Biden and Harris versus Trump?
I have studied and researched both sides clearly seeing how much the two parties are at odds. The differences are undoubtedly greater than ever before in American history. Trust me when I say, if all of you knew what I do, most would find it impossible to vote for far left liberal policies.
As an educator and Christian, I believe we all have a moral obligation to know fact from fiction, fact from emotion, fact from nothing more than just one's opinion. And, of course, a moral responsibility to be Christian in how we vote. Even speaking out about it. Sorry if I sound like I am preaching, but so much depends on our votes. Please give me the courtesy of reading what I have to say. Should politics be more important than family or friendships? Should politics be more important than our religious upbringing? Surely not!
As for our religious upbringing, what do we each see as morally right or wrong whether it comes from Democrat or Republican agendas?" Let's not forget, this country was founded on Christianity and that had a lot to do with America becoming the greatest nation on earth. As for me, I want to keep it that way, and hopefully you all do too.
Besides the issue of religion, Democrats have openly expressed interest in changing America in dramatic ways which I will also address in this writing. Of course, I also have lots to say about re-electing Trump. I repeat, give me the courtesy of reading what I have to say.
Some of us fail to realize the Democrat Party is no longer what it was when most of us were growing up. When the party changed most of those in Victoria and Ellis County switched from voting Democrat to voting Republican. You won't see any Democrat voting signs in Victoria as in the 60s. I would venture to guess not more than 10% in Victoria will vote for the Biden/Harris ticket come November.
Really big changes have occurred in the Democrat Party many of us grew up with. And, they are significant.
The Democrat Party of today, unfortunately, is controlled by far left liberals and progressives. Progressive, by the way to me, simply means extreme liberalism. There may be some conservative and moderate voters in this party, but their concerns aren't given any serious thought. Far left progressive Bernie Sanders has the Biden/Harris ticket agreeing to his agendas such as socialism, higher taxes, global warming, open borders, unrestricted abortions, etc. Call their platform radical in many ways.
Back in the 60s most of us really liked Democrat President Lyndon B. Johnson's expansive social welfare programs for the poor called the War on Poverty or Great Society. Unfortunately, the war on poverty does not have a great track record of getting people out of poverty. The Obama/Biden administration didn't do much for the poor. Thirteen million more ended up on food stamps and eight million more living in poverty. Some think Dems prefer to keep people poor and on welfare to get their votes.
Recent surveys, by the way, show Biden way ahead of Trump in receiving campaign donations from big rich donors, including many billionaires. That Democrats are for the poor and Republicans for the rich is completely false. It won't be the rich who will put Trump back in the White House for another four years. As in 2016, it was average Americans who elected Trump. The money behind Biden by the rich is astronomical and that includes huge sums of money for Democrats to take over both houses of congress.
One of Trump's great successes is creating jobs through a robust economy, especially work for minorities, women, teens, and even blue collar workers. He clearly emphasizes work over welfare to move people out of poverty, and it definitely is improving lives. Trump's employment records have been historic, and on track to do it again in spite of the China virus. If most vote on the economy, which is often the case, Trump wins hands down.
The Dem Party has changed when it comes to religion. What comes to mind first is the party is now known for being "secularist," meaning less emphasis on religion. Dems now oppose God being part of the public square even though our forefathers never envisioned that to happen in this country. Taking "under God" out of the pledge of allegiance speaks volumes.
It's important to note Trump will get the religious evangelical vote again, and probably in even greater numbers this time around. In the last presidential cycle Trump campaigned on protecting religious liberties and has shown numerous ways in the past four years of keeping those promises. In fact, he has fulfilled his 2016 campaign promises on all levels, unlike most past presidents.
Sad to say, Democrat governors and mayors indiscriminately locked down churches due to the virus, while allowing crowds by the thousands to protest without practicing social distancing or wearing masks. Further proof the party is less religious than it used to be.
Think abortion when voting, which Dems have latched on to in a big way since the procedure was legalized in the 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision. My God, abortion is totally unrestricted now! Millions upon millions of unborn babies dying, even during birth. Dems are scared to death Trump's Christian appointments to the Supreme Court will overturn the 73 decision based on the private right to one's body, nowhere to be found in the constitution. At any rate, abortion is the sacred cow (pun intended) of today's Democrat party.
As for me, a big shout out to Donald J. Trump known for being the most pro life president in American history!
What more proof does one need that Democrats are less religious when clearly this party has partnered with the abortion factory called Planned Parenthood. Democrats in congress approve taxpayer PP funds by the millions and PP turns around and gives a portion of it back to Democrats for their campaigns. Tell me that is not corruption!
By the way, Trump recently signed an order preventing a baby that survives a botched abortion from being put to death. Surely, there's no one among us who opposes such an order. Biden has no restrictions on abortions and even praised China's abortion policy that demands couples have no more than one child.
Needless to say, I too changed my politics over time, as would Mom and Dad obviously. As you all know, I spend half the year in Victoria. Why? Victoria is tradition. Victoria is conservatism. And, that means Christianity is a top priority where most are family oriented, supportive of schools, etc. Conservatism means supporting the constitution and supporting a capitalistic way of making a living. For me, six months of downright good living among a lot of good friends and good people is literally a God send. Hays isn't much different, nor most of western Kansas.
The two parties are on completely different tracks as I continue to mention. The Democrat Party no longer supports Christianity, especially Catholicism, as it once did, and hell bent to change the constitution and change our economy from capitalism to socialism, where there is extreme government control and less individual freedom. Biden is your man if you want unrestricted abortions and a president that will fight to continue Roe vs. Wade that legalized abortions. Biden is your man if you want a different America where this country's past is an after thought. And, I guess if religious concerns aren't part of your makeup it's obvious how you will vote, unfortunately.
As for me and my house which includes Riley, my rescue dog ha ha, we are going to support (Christian life), (2) the Constitution, and (3) Capitalism, all of which makes me a proud conservative. I pray some of you see it my way. Riley does ha ha.
In fact, truth be known, I pray to God often that the results of this election is what's best for this great country of ours, unique in its founding like no other before us. I pray that this writing will make a difference in how some vote. Maybe this writing does more for me then those receiving it, in as much as I feel a moral responsibility to speak out. I want to do my part, but hopefully you all get more out of this then I do.
There are many radical views coming from far left Democrats we all need to be aware of before voting. To begin with, socialism (in place of capitalism) has never worked in any other country, so why in the world are Dems running on that agenda? Socialism is all about extreme government control and its a power grab. It is against free markets and grounded in Marxism, Socialist Venezuela currently has people starving to death. Capitalism has given us the best economy in the world. What Dems propose boggles the mind. It's a huge red flag when going to the polls.
How about the radical agenda of open borders by Dems, where illegals who broke the law entering this country get amnesty, the right to vote, and even free health care as Biden and running mate Kamala Harris propose. Of course, its a scheme to get millions of votes from non-citizens. Republicans could be left out in the cold forever when it comes to the presidency or congress since illegals from other countries, with their votes, would determine what kind of government we would always have. God help us!
A Biden/Harris ticket is radical in itself. Would you believe, should Biden win the presidency and then for health reasons turn the reins over automatically to Harris, we would have as commander in chief who is not even elected by the people to the presidency. Keep in mind Harris is the most far left voting senator in congress, the position she holds now. She even sided with women who accused Biden of sexual misconduct. Wonders never cease about this ticket? At any rate, it appears there's a scheme to get another minority, another person of color, and the first female to be the most powerful person in the world. Biden's health is highly questionable, even he admits it at times. The whole thing doesn't pass the smell test!, There's no end to Dems radical plans. The Biden/Harris platform calls for eliminating the use of gas and oil, which they call "the green new deal." The Dems plan to combat global warming or climate change would stand our current economy on its head. It lacks practicality and common sense. Can we really function on wind farms, solar panels, and only electric vehicles? To date there is no scientific study that even proves indisputably man's emissions into the atmosphere can cause climate change. We are currently energy independent, mostly due to fracking that Dems wish to eliminate and that would be insanity! Why the radical change, except its another power grab permitting extreme government control over our lives to, supposedly, affect our weather.
Just when we think the extremes end, along comes another radical one and might be the worst of all and it's called "packing the court." If Biden wins the presidency there could be a move to increase the number of justices and, of course, all the additional ones would be liberal. That movement would completely stand our democratic republic on its head. There would no longer be separation of powers or coequal branches of government. Instead, the Supreme Court would become a body that makes laws Democrats want rather than interpreting the constitutionality of laws. That would leave the constitution meaningless, as well as congress. We would no longer be a democracy. Laws would be made to insure we would forever be a one political party country, and never another Republican occupying the White House.
There are many reasons not to vote Democrat as I indicate, including the following bombshell. It's the biggest scandal in American history. Top Democrats, including Obama, Hillary, even Biden, and the FBI, engaged in a coup. Yes, shockingly, behind the scenes when Trump first became president, forces were put in play to overthrow a Trump presidency. Most media avoids news reports on it since it doesn't fit the Democrat Party narrative. It was a scheme to make it look like Trump was colluding with Russia to win the 2016 election all of which ended up to be false. A coup to override the votes of Americans who selected Trump to be president is shocking to the core!
There will be massive declassification of materials from our Justice Department proving the plot to overthrow our president. Should Biden win the presidency he will have a lot of explaining to do about his involvement and Obama's. Actually, he'll also have a lot of explaining to do about his son making hundreds of millions from Ukraine and China when he was VP - not, of course, covered by liberal media.
At this point in my writing, I want to mention important news about the Supreme Court, also known as SCOTUS, Amy Coney Barrett has been nominated by Trump as his third person of Christian faith. Barrett is replacing liberal justice Ginsburg who passed away. Barrett has a law degree from Notre Dame, a married mother of seven children, two of them adopted. One biological child has special needs. She is an exceptional woman with exceptional credentials to serve as another justice to the Supreme Court. I respectfully say to any family member reading me who is against her confirmation, you just might be putting your liberal politics far and away ahead of religion. All of us should be ecstatic about a new justice who is such an extraordinarily accomplished woman. It's been some time since a woman has been confirmed to serve on this court. Kudos to our president.
Trump's three appointments to SCOTUS show his true colors when it comes to religion. Barrett will clearly protect religious rights and liberties unlike the liberal justices currently on the court who have voted against those rights and liberties on a number of occasions. Seems to me most of us would vote for Trump's re-election to insure our protections so very important to us as Christians. Trump's three appointments to the highest court in the land are monumental in protecting our constitution as well.
On a different note, I can't help think a lot these days about those among us who might be indoctrinated or duped by media, and how sad that would be going through each day dwelling on false information and complete negativity about Trump and even the false claim America is a systemic racist country. For our own sake, for our own peace of mind, we should all be seeking the truth. What good is living a life regarding politics if so much is based on lies. What good is it going through day after day hating Trump when media and Dems lie about him daily?
A recent survey of nightly news by ABC, CBS, and NBC: 634 negative statements and 34 positive statements about Trump. That typifies liberal media whether CNN, MSNBC, Washington Post or New York Times or the three networks mentioned. Contrast that to Trump rallies where thousands enthusiastically show up. Something is wrong with that picture. Anti Trump media works 24/7 attacking him. Tell me there isn't any brainwashing and indoctrination going on in the process!
Even high tech companies like twitter, facebook, google and amazon aren't hiding their disdain for Trump and support for Biden. Its so egregious some have been subpoenaed by congress to explain their partiality and censorship of free speech. Twitter and Facebook recently censored a New York Post article preventing its followers from hearing about Joe Biden's son Hunter making hundreds of millions from Ukraine and China when Obama put Biden as his VP in charge of relations with those two countries - as I mentioned above. Our first amendment right of free speech is completely trampled on by liberal anti conservative media! Hundreds of millions going into the Biden family coffers because those countries expect something in return, but silenced by media., Some of you I suspect, won't go to Fox News for information if your life depended on it. Here's why we all should. Year after year, this news outlet is voted the most trustworthy. Fox blows away the competition (especially CNN and MSNBC) for viewers. Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham, plus some other programs have an enormous audience. There must be a reason and its because their coverage of news is trusted the most. For the record, I can't tell you without a very long count, the many sources I get political news from and that includes some liberal media. It's not just Fox.
The partisanship by most media has turned off millions, who could end up giving Trump their votes just because. Don't be fooled by a media that makes mountains out of mole hills regarding every single thing Trump says or does. Most media has become the enemy of the people by choosing sides, totally lacking impartiality. "Honest to goodness" journalism is dead, and immoral. The use of public airwaves by media to sell the public on their own ideological bent has got to stop.
Most media has succeeded in drumming up hate for Trump. Hate for anybody, of course, is not being Christian, in fact it is sinful to think that way. Seems millions actually do hate Trump unlike any previous American president. It is my opinion that the enormous hate for Trump is mostly based on emotion, little to do, obviously, with what he accomplishes. Why hate a president who has made America great again, who has accomplishments in four years exceeding presidents who had eight years.
How many voters do you suppose wish Trump and the First Lady had died from the coronavirus? That's how bad this country has become from a Christian perspective. Far too many don't even want the arrival of a vaccine before the election because that makes Trump look good to voters. God help us, when it appears the hate has reached pathological levels!
Negativity has no bounds it seems in our politics. Do we vote to support that negativity or take the high road by telling ourselves we're not a racist country (which I can prove), and that we're the land of opportunity, the land of the free, a nation on a shining hill! Trump supporters love the direction this country is taking. There's a lot of positive feeling in spite of the virus, while there's incessant negativity coming from the left. Look at the incredible upbeat positive vibs coming from Trump rallies. It's a sight to see! A Christian life calls for optimism, not pessimism, Democrats want all of us to feel we are victims in an unjust America.
Why negativity, when our president has literally made America great again and on the way to doing it a second time in spite of the China virus. Many good things are happening. What could be more important then an economic recovery with record employment numbers for almost everybody, especially minorities climbing out of poverty. Putting food on the table by working strikes me as having a biblical ring to it. Of course, we have a long road ahead of us to reach the historic record numbers for employment before the virus. Current data indicates optimism for a full recovery.
There's even reason to be optimistic about the coronavirus considering the very small number overall that don't recover. Plus a vaccine is on the way faster than ever before for any previous disease, even medicines one can take in the meantime.
Don't buy into the falsehood Trump didn't act soon enough. He shutdown airports to Chinese travelers when there were only a couple of known cases in this country with nobody even dying from the virus. Trump should be praised for mobilizing medical equipment faster and more efficiently going back to WW II. Biden criticized Trump for overreacting to the China virus yet hypocritically says the president acted too slow. Fauci, a Democrat and big gun on the Trump Task Force said everything that could have been done was done by the president.
Another big issue that needs to be considered when voting is the possibility of the Supreme Court overturning Obamacare, also known as the Affordable Care Act. A reminder that It was the most corrupt piece of legislation passed by Democrats in congress in recent history. Obama lied that everybody could keep their doctor and their insurance. Deductibles are outrageous and premiums higher than house payments for most. The average family's premiums have gone up by the thousands. Trump's health care will depend on free markets (called capitalism) whereby premiums will be more affordable. AOC is basically a government run program and currently Dems are lying that Trump's health plan would not cover pre-existing conditions.
As we speak, nearly every day there is a bombshell about Trump. That's the Democrat's strategy. It's to distract from what is really going on. For example, it's to distract from the fact our economy is coming back again in a big way. And another example, it's to distract from the rioting, looting, even violence taking place in our big cities run by Democrats and even supported by top Democrats. Letting criminals, under the guise of legitimate and peaceful protests, do what they want in terms of looting, destroying buildings, and violence toward police, is unconscionable. It blows the mind to see the Dem leadership in many of our cities do nothing to stop it.
I would be remiss not to mention at this point a publication endorsed by Obama and Hillary as college students that continues into their current way of thinking. It is called "Rules for Radicals" and the author is an atheist who dedicated the writing to Lucifer. The destruction of cities by protesters coincides with Saul Alinsky's thinking to take over America in a revolutionary way. What we see happening today and coming from leftist liberals is revolutionary and radical, and not one top Democrat is condemning the violence taking place that has reached the point of anarchy.
Defunding police departments is certainly radical and, as crime, murders, violence escalates, one has to wonder if the leftist Democrats haven't gone insane! Black on black murders have spiked in a big way as has crime in general. On a religious note, with Democrats turning their backs on rioting and looting, I can't help think about the eighth commandment "thou shall not steal" to say nothing of the sixth commandment "thou shall not murder." Both sins are rampant and no condemnation coming from Democrat leaders.
Few realize the organizations Black Lives Matter and Antifa, both receiving Democrat Party support, are grounded in Marxism also known as communism. Karl Marx was as anti Christian as one can get. Further proof one of our political parties has gone off the reservation
There are a truckload of reasons to re-elect Trump. He has been tireless, transparent, and an enthusiastic miracle worker with all odds against him unlike any previous president in American history, and yet his accomplishments are a mile long. Of course, at the top of the list is what he has done for us as Christians and for our economy with historic tax cuts. Add national security to the list, closing our borders, etc. Actually, too many to list in this writing. Dems claim only the rich benefitted from his historic tax cuts. Nothing could be further from the truth.
There may be some concern among us when it comes to what is referred to as LGBT. Few know Trump had in cabinet the first openly gay person in this country's history for cabinet members by a president. That would be Richard Grenell, Acting Director of National Intelligence. Grenell swears Trump is the best president ever for those with a different preference. Don't believe for one minute all those in this group will always vote Democrat. Many, actually, are conservatives, not all are liberals.
Only a matter of life or death, if you know what I me, should be a one issue to vote on. We all should feel a moral responsibility to look at the big picture. Vote for what is best for this country and best for most Americans. As you can see from my lengthy writing there's lots to consider before casting a vote.
I repeat, voting based on emotion alone is wrong. Trump's voters are looking for results and Trump obliges in a big way. Nobody considers Trump a saint. At times he bullies, sometimes ha ha I do. But the Trump base is thankful he is not a smooth talking typical presidential type candidate for the White House. A reminder he's different than "presidential" talking Obama who nearly destroyed this country. Trump, I truly believe, loves this country and is on a mission to make American lives a whole lot better.
As I wrap up this far too long writing, I have reason to believe Donald J. Trump will be re-elected as our president in an electoral landslide. Number one, I believe we are still a Christian nation as in the past two hundred years in spite of what was said by Obama during his presidency that "we are no longer a Christian nation." Secondly, Americans don't want us to be a totally different America. The move to be a socialist country with most powers in our government and fewer individual liberties isn't what most Americans are about. Nor are Americans going to vote to change our constitution giving our centralized government even more powers then they already have. Third, polls having Biden way ahead proved to be totally wrong as in 2016 with Hillary way ahead. The Trump train won't be stopped. Mark my words!
My daughter Jo Beth keeps saying "Dad, you have got to write a book about politics." Well here it is. My apologies!
Lastly, how does one ignore the incredibly large and enthusiastic Trump rallies! I witnessed a Trump parade recently in Hays that brought tears to my eyes. I was completely blown away by the honking of horns with one vehicle after another going by loaded down with Trump/Pence signs and flags. May God bless Trump and Pence again, and may God bless America.
May God bless every single member of the Knoll family and bless all my good friends.
Les Knoll lives in Victoria and Gilbert, Ariz.