Letters: Thompson must commit to certifying election results; Numb to lies?

Thompson must commit to certifying election results

Our congressman, Glenn Thompson, was among seven Republican congressmen in Pennsylvania who recently didn’t respond when asked by the USA Today Network if they would commit to certifying the results of the presidential election no matter who won.

Don’t pull this again, Glenn. For our system of government to function, a party can’t accept the results only when their candidate wins. If you cannot handle that basic civics lesson, you don’t deserve the public trust and should find another job.

Numb to lies?

Lying has become so trendy these days it feels as though we have been drawn into a muck of quicksand of all that is false. We fear we’ll never be able to pull ourselves out. Ever since “MAGA Man” descended his glittering escalator and gave rise to the cult of Trump, we have witnessed one outrage after another. We become numb – discouraged and depressed, yes, but also numb. Year after year it becomes harder and harder to maintain the outrage. We dismiss his antics, countless lies, and despicable behavior with a shrug. Well, that’s Trump, ya know? But I like the guy, they say. He’s a good showman. And, hey, we all like to be entertained. A known sex-offender, real-estate cheater, election denier — well, he’s a “man’s man” and also who doesn’t want to live large like the guy (with mansions, golf courses, beautiful women, fame, power).

Recently I came across words by Hannah Arendt (1906-1975), noted German historian and philosopher: “This constant lying is not aimed at making the people believe a lie, but at ensuring that no one believes anything anymore. A people that can no longer distinguish between truth and lies cannot distinguish between right and wrong. And such a people, deprived of the power to think and judge, is, without knowing and willing it, completely subjected to the rule of lies. With such a people, you can do whatever you want.”

False story had real consequences

A Facebook post from a resident in Springfield, Ohio, recently set off a firestorm of anti-immigration, racial hatred, and accusations enough to get national attention. The resident accused her Haitian neighbors of taking her cat supposedly to kill and serve it for dinner. The police became involved. When the cat appeared from the basement where she had been hiding, the resident apologized to the neighbors. That could have been the end of the story.

But no, the tale went viral and candidates Trump and Vance made it an example of what could lead to a proposed mass immigrant deportation. The Springfield mayor declared the story false, as did Ohio Governor DeWine and President Biden. That didn’t deter those who chose to believe a lie and keep the story active. Bomb threats closed government building, school canceled classes, and state troopers activated. All for a false alarm. Vance seemingly admitted to repeating what he knew from the beginning was lie. Trump did nothing to dispel the rumor.

Now let’s look at the practical side. Those accountable should be punished. Are Ohio taxpayers footing the bill? Why not charge the RNC PACs and donors for the harm to the community? Those who spread dangerous falsehoods could easily lead to violence. At the very least, deplete cash earmarked for electing these candidates.

Clear choice in election

I recently heard that some police officers are supporting Donald Trump for president.

This astonishes me: Trump incited a riot in which his supporters assaulted and injured police officers. During the January 6 riot, Trump watched it on TV from the White House and refused to even try to stop the violence. Lately, he has promised to pardon most of the rioters if he is reelected.

The goal of the mob was to keep Trump in office and stop the peaceful transfer of power after Trump lost the 2020 election. That was the greatest threat to our democracy since the Civil War.

This election presents a choice between Trump, already convicted of 34 felonies (so far), and Kamala Harris, who is a former prosecutor, and who upholds the rule of law. As voters, this choice should be easy and obvious.

Potential President Vance should horrify

Upon being nominated, each presidential candidate makes one of his or her most important decisions: Who will join the ticket as the prospective vice president.

From the VP choice, voters get a look at the presidential candidate’s thinking and concern for the country. And who, if the ticket wins and the unthinkable happens, would become president should the sitting president die or become incapacitated while in office?

But did anyone really think that Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin should have been a heartbeat away from the oval office? Or actual Vice President Dan Quayle? But that was nothing compared with what we face now.

Donald Trump’s decision to make JD Vance his VP shows just how much Trump despises America. He wants to flip us off ... and he did exactly that by adding Vance to the GOP ticket. Either that, or it confirms the cognitive decline of a befuddled old man. In Trump’s case, probably both.

Everyone should shudder at the prospect of a President Vance and what that would mean for the children, men and, especially, the women of our country.

The return of convicted felon and insurrectionist Donald Trump to the White House would be bad enough. The prospect of a potential President Vance is absolutely horrifying.