Democracy or Dictatorship? The choice of US voters: Sally Barnes | Commentary

By Sally Barnes

Just when I was about to give up on our American neighbours, some true heroes have emerged and may help save the day.

Like an old Wild West movie, these heroes have ridden in to save the town and its people from a lying, lawless, tyrannical bully. Hopefully, their help hasn’t come too late.

Despite an earlier trend showing Democratic Party candidate Kamala Harris riding a wave of popularity in the race for the White House, in recent weeks, polls indicate Republican Donald Trump and she are virtually tied.

Up here in the (soon to be) great white north, we’re asking how this could happen as Trump grows increasingly deranged, abusive, and power-hungry as we come closer to the Nov. 5 finish line.

This political junkie has been glued to election coverage and frustrated that more Republicans aren’t speaking out about the obvious danger of turning back the reins of power to Trump at this dangerous time in the world.  

As patriots, how could they remain loyal to Trump and put their party’s electoral success ahead of their country’s security?

It is becoming more and more obvious that this election will determine the U.S. future—democracy or dictatorship—a rule by law or rule by a man obsessed with revenge for his enemies and payoff for himself and his friends.

Trump entertains and charms his cult-like following and gets away with lies, misinformation, and bizarre behaviour.

Lacking has been people of great credibility and courage who have worked up close and personal with him and have witnessed the flawed character of the man.

Finally, some heavy hitters have set aside their own futures and the usual code of avoiding political issues and involvement. Trump’s former Chief of Staff and the former head of the U.S. military have put their patriotism ahead of everything else and joined the chorus of those exposing Trump for what he is. 

Harris’s last hope may be the decorated military generals, senior government and political advisors, and others who have served former president Donald Trump and have come forward to plead with voters to block his return to the Oval Office and its treasure chest of power.

Fascist. Dangerous. Dictatorial. Crazy. Conniving. Felon. Racist. Misogynist; worshipper of foreign dictators….the warnings continue to pile up. 

Surely, his statement that he wishes for generals like those of Hitler and the fact that he has made regular contact with Vladamir Putin and probably other dictators and foreign wheelers and dealers since he left office should be cause to abandon the Trump cult wagon. 

Anyone who isn’t experiencing sleepless nights over the outcome of the Nov. 5 U.S. election isn’t facing reality. As Canadians hugely dependent on the U.S. for our security and economic wellbeing, the U.S. election forms a threatening, gigantic cloud over our nation.

Trump says he “loves” tariffs…”one of my favourite words.” So many economists warn tariffs could start trade wars and Canada could become a big loser. As president, he would have the power to grant exemptions from some tariffs, and his rich friends and he could benefit big time.

And then there’s the little matter of nuclear war…..

Americans won’t emerge from this election unscathed, no matter who wins. The scars of this ongoing circus will run deep. The U.S. is a nation of intensely divided and angry people, and the cult created and fed by Trump will not accept defeat gracefully or peacefully. If he wins, the promised recriminations and rewards will quickly follow.

Trump’s presidency and his ongoing choke-hold on the Republican Party since his defeat four years ago have poisoned democracy and left little room for civility and truth in the political process.

It is pretty bad when Americans can’t let their kids watch their former president on TV because his language and behaviour are so foul.

I hope Canadians are closely watching what is happening to our southern neighbour and that we learn some lessons and avoid some perils.

There is no question that some of the deterioration in public discourse we are experiencing here can be traced to Trump’s influence. Lack of respect for the opinions of others, verbal abuse, and threats are now regarded as standard behaviour for some politicians.  

Increased influence of the religious right in our politics is something we’ve already experienced, as is an increase in racism and anti-Semitism and decreasing support for immigration.

It’s noteworthy that the new order envisioned by the Trump supporters and authors of the Project 2025 document, which mandates the way forward for the U.S. under a second Trump presidency, is a long-term plan already in motion. 

At age 78 and in undetermined health, there is a succession plan in the offing. Trump chose as his running mate J.D. Vance, a 39-year-old Trump acolyte with little political experience but big makeover plans for the U.S. and its people.

His views are extreme—even more so than Trump’s—but JD is polished and more marketable.

Coincidentally, Vance is besties with Trump’s son, Donald, who strongly recommended him to his Dad for VP. More experienced, moderate candidates were sidelined. I find it strange that so little attention is being paid to Vance’s personal philosophies. He wrote a book about his hillbilly childhood, and a follow-up movie cast him as a true American success story, but you have to dig deep to learn his far-right and very religion-inspired views of the world and its ills and cures.

(It’s not too far-fetched to wonder if Trump is, in fact, only the conduit to get Republicans back into the White House, and it’s Vance who has been groomed to lead Americans into this brave new world.)  

Should Trump, for any reason, be unable to serve a full term, Vance will quickly move into the Oval Office with his own agenda and a team whose mission is to remake the country, attack what they judge the decadence in society, and pass laws to enforce his definition of morality.

(Fellow far-right traveller Governor Ron DeSantos in Florida has already test-driven some of these approaches to climate change and human rights and provided insight into what’s to come for women and minority groups.)

Conservative broadcaster Tucker Carlson is the media darling of the extreme right-wingers, a fondling fan of Team Trump/Vance, and, at a recent Republican rally, described Democrats as “the party of weak men and unhappy women.” 

The Trump dream team will have the U.S. governed by macho white guys, and women will be married and happily back in the kitchen with a house full of kids (preferably white.)

Forget about freedom of speech and the vital role of the media in democracy. Media individuals or outlets that don’t support the new order are held in contempt and there have been reports of news agencies withholding their public support for Kamala Harris out of fear of intimidation by Trump if he gets elected. 

(Many have learned the hard way that It’s not wise to mess with Donald J. Trump.)

It’s little wonder that so many heavyweights from across American society are coming forth to beg their fellow citizens to deny Trump the power he craves.

Pray it isn’t too little and too late.     

Sally Barnes has enjoyed a distinguished career as a writer, journalist and author. Her work has been recognized in a number of ways, including receiving a Southam Fellowship in Journalism at Massey College at the University of Toronto.  A self-confessed political junkie, she has worked in the back-rooms for several Ontario premiers. In addition to a number of other community contributions, Sally Barnes served a term as president of the Ontario Council on the Status of Women. She is a former business colleague of Doppler’s publisher, Hugh Mackenzie, and lives in Kingston, Ontario. You can find her online at sallybarnesauthor.com.

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