U.S. voters have often expressed frustration that “it doesn’t matter who we vote for.” They find no major differences between the political parties and believe neither can improve their lives.
Not this time.
Anyone who has watched even snippets of the two political conventions and campaigning since then can see and even feel the differences, because the differences are real and visceral. One appeals to your fears and anger and brings you down to your lowest and most primal instincts. The other lifts you up and appeals to your best.
The Republican vision is dark and frightening. It sees a weak America, overcome by internal division, overrun by foreign invaders, overwhelmed by economic woes, overshadowed and laughed at on the international stage. It’s a nation whose leaders admire dictators, diminish the rule of law, turn their backs on democracy and encourage tyrants to do whatever they want to our allies. It’s an angry America, where lies, vengeance and retribution are the hallmarks of government and mob rule is a means to an end.
The Democratic vision is one of hope and progress. It sees a country rebuilding from a crippling pandemic, leading the world in economic growth, generating new industries and opportunities. It’s a welcoming America, proud of its heritage as a melting pot, weaving diverse new cultures into the American fabric, creating jobs to fuel its growth. It assumes its role as leader of the free world with strength, pride and resolve, building international alliances to fight oppression and terror.
Republicans want us to forget how they mismanaged the COVID-19 crisis and how they claimed it was a “hoax” even as thousands of people died every day and bodies were stacked in refrigerator trucks. Businesses shut down. People lost their jobs, many standing or idling in drive-by food lines, in fear of losing their homes and savings even as Trump opposed efforts to reduce the spread of disease. They ignore that even after a vaccine was invented the Trump administration had no plan to distribute it. They remind us of the darkest days of the post-pandemic worldwide inflation when prices soared as demand returned but supplies lagged as the world slowly returned to work. They want us to believe nothing has changed and the only path forward is to go back to tax breaks for the richest among us.
But Democrats express gratitude that the Biden-Harris administration quickly implemented a national system of vaccine distribution. They gave us hope and relief as people could go outside again — back to work, back to school, and back to living. Jobs returned. Markets soared. Industries expanded. The U.S. economy recovered faster and more fully than those of other countries also weakened by the pandemic.
Democrats see a brighter future. Inflation has steadily declined. Public and private sector investments in America are rebuilding and expanding our long-ignored infrastructure. New industries and modern technologies are emerging to develop new, cleaner forms of energy to power our economic engines. Wages are rising. Seniors whose savings and investments determine their quality of life are seeing record growth and optimism in the financial markets.
Republicans tell us we are being overrun at our borders by alien invaders, by criminals, rapists and sociopaths. Democrats tell us we can secure our borders and still welcome families who will build on our immigrant heritage, perform needed jobs and expand our economy.
They made an unprecedented bipartisan effort to write new immigration legislation. But Trump’s dark forces of division cynically colluded to stop the comprehensive, tough and fair immigration reform so they could retain it as a divisive political issue. They envision draconian mass deportations, separating families and ripping peaceful, hard-working people from their homes and jobs.
Republicans look away as women have their long-held health care rights diminished and their personal choices criminalized. They ignore the suffering of victims of rape and incest in their headlong rush to return women to the status from which they thought they had freed themselves more than a half-century ago.
I recall 2021 when we felt like a dangerous and ugly storm had passed, when the sun was shining again. When the vision of our Founders was restored. When, as Jack Kennedy reminded us, we thought about the greater good and not just ourselves. I am encouraged by a Democratic Party that restores that vision, that reminds us we are all in this together. I fear a Republican Party that tells us it’s every man for himself.
At the convention in Milwaukee, the clouds gathered again. Darkness threatened. A violent storm loomed on the horizon.
Last month in Chicago, the clouds parted. The sun was shining again. For a moment, it felt like the storm had passed. May it remain that way.
Syl Sobel (www.sylsobel.com) is an attorney, a journalist and the author of a series of children’s books on U.S. history and civics.