As a Social Worker who has spent my career working on issues of justice, healing, equality and personal empowerment, in the areas of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, social and economic justice and reproductive rights, I know all too well the horrifying impact of denying women and children basic rights of health care and supportive services.
As a woman old enough to have lived in a time of back-alley abortions and limited options for managing pregnancy, marched for the right to abortion care and Equal Rights for women, I shudder to think of a world where women (now my daughter and daughter-in-law) will be stripped of these rights again.
As an Ordained Minister of Spiritual Peacemaking, who has tried to live in accordance to the way of love of peace, taught by our Spiritual Masters, I cannot sit silent in the face of so much hatred, so many lies and intentional manipulation.
On my walk the other day, I saw a political sign on someone’s front lawn that read “Jesus is my Savior” and “Trump Is My President”. My response was one of complete confusion as I tried to wrap my head around what I was seeing. Days later, I’m still dumbfounded as to how anyone could put these two statements together.
I have considered for days whether I would post anything prior to Election Day or not. But the contrast is so clear to me, and the challenge to Democracy as we know it so real, that I couldn’t not share my thoughts.
I appreciate you taking the time to read and consider what I’ve shared.
In my understanding of the true teachings of Jesus, and in my experience of Donald Trump through his own words and deeds, these two men could not have been more opposite in how they view their fellow human beings,speak about them and act toward them.
The life and teachings of the Master Teacher Jesus are based on love, kindness, inclusion, compassion, forgiveness, healing, uplifting and caring for the downtrodden and outcast, and making the ultimate sacrifice of his human life to show that He, and we, are eternal.
In contrast, the life and statements of Donald Trump are based on hatred, division, threats, retribution, lies, betrayal, degradation and power over women, minorities, immigrants and queer people, praise and admiration of fascist, power-hungry dictators, and sacrificing our Democracy and anyone who dares to disagree with him.
He even goes so far as to mock and denigrate those who have been captured, wounded or lost their lives to save that Democracy. He has said that he doesn’t understand why anyone would choose service or duty to country, as there’s nothing in it for them.
For the life of me, I cannot in any way align the model of love that was lived by Jesus the Christ to the model of pathological narcissism that has been lived by Donald Trump.
If the character and values of the person who will be our next President isn’t what’s most important to you, and you are willing to ignore those things because you think Donald Trump will be better for our economy, please take a moment to consider the following. Everything that is presented here has been fact checked by several sources.
As part of his economic platform, Donald Trump has said he’d put a 200% tariff on all goods coming into the United States, stating that the countries who are sending the goods will have to pay this tariff. Time and time again, economists have corrected this flawed statement. Any tariffs on goods coming into the US will result in the process of those goods being increased, thereby increasing the price of those goods. Consider these impacts:
Higher Consumer Prices: The cost of imported goods would rise sharply. This could mean higher prices on a wide range of products, from electronics to clothing and vehicles. Tariffs could increase average household expenses by thousands per year.
Inflation and Reduced Purchasing Power: As import costs increase, inflation may rise. Higher inflation would reduce consumers’ purchasing power, leading households to cut back on non-essential spending.
Global Trade Tensions and Retaliatory Tariffs: Other countries might respond with their own tariffs, harming American industries that rely on overseas markets. Retaliatory tariffs could reduce U.S. exports, leading to lower revenue and potential job losses in affected sectors.
Another major area of focus of the Trump campaign is immigration and mass deportation. It should be noted that the bi-partisan Border Bill, brought forward by Republican members of Congress, that would have addressed many of the issues at the border, was never brought forward for a vote because Donald Trump gave orders to have it squashed because he didn’t to give a win to the Biden-Harris Administration.
Here’s some things to consider if a mass deportation of immigrants was undertaken:
Deporting millions of undocumented immigrants could reduce the nation’s GDP by around 1.4% to 2.6% in the short term and lead to a cumulative loss of up to $4.7 trillion over ten years.
An estimated 4.5% of all American jobs are linked to the current immigrant workforce. Removing these workers could increase unemployment and even lead to job losses among American citizens dueto the ripple effects across industries. The federal government would face reduced tax revenues and increased federal debt by nearly $900 billion over a decade.
Socially, a mass deportation policy would impact families, with potentially millions of U.S.-born children affected. Many immigrants have been in the U.S. for over a decade, contributing both economically and culturally, so their forced departure would likely disrupt communities and family structures nationwide.
I don’t imagine any of you have read the 900+page Project 2025, which is basically the operating manual of a future Trump presidency. I certainly haven’t! But I have researched some of the main areas of concern for myself and many others.
If you are a senior or have elderly parents, rely on any kind of Government Medical Assistance such as Obamacare or Medicare, are self-employed or someday hope to retire with some kind of support network for your health and financial future, you might want to take a look at these proposals from Project 2025.
Medicaid and Low-Income Households: Project 2025 proposes changes to Medicaid by narrowing eligibility, imposingwork requirements on able-bodied individuals, and setting lifetime caps on Medicaid enrollment. This approach would likely reduce coverage for low-income individuals and families who rely on Medicaid for healthcare.
Medicare and Seniors: Project 2025 suggests making Medicare Advantage (MA)—privatized plans run by private insurers, potentially increasing costs for seniors and limiting their choice of doctors. Ending Medicare Part D’s drug price negotiation program, the proposals could raise out-of-pocket prescription costs for seniors by an average of $360 annually and cut the $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket drug spending.
In essence, Project 2025’s healthcare proposals would prioritize cost-cutting and privatization measures, which critics argue could reduce coverage and increase healthcare expenses for seniors and low-income Americans.
And, worth a mention, Project 2025 proposes to end the Department of Education,basically shutting down all public education, making cuts to community black grants and programs aimed at low income children and families, and replacing all government employees with political appointees, loyal solely to the President, basically creating a dictatorship.
If you care about our planet and our environment, please be aware that Project 2025aims to roll back protections and streamline regulations for public land use, prioritizing oil and gas extraction. This would affect agencies like the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Additionally, the project calls for scaling back monument designations and overturning the “30×30” conservation plan (a Biden-era initiative toc onserve 30% of U.S. lands by 2030), potentially limiting federal environmental protections.
Project 2025 suggests ending U.S. participation in climate-related multilateral efforts, hindering federal agencies from engaging in and enforcing climate resilience and sustainability projects.
If you’ve read this far, congratulations. I truly appreciate you taking the time to read and consider what I’ve shared.
There is so much more that can be said, but I know that your time is precious. I hope what I’ve written is enough to make you deeply consider your vote and/or your decision to vote.
I truly believe that our Democracy, and all the rights of our Democracy, rest on the outcome of this election.
Many blessings to you and May Peace Prevail on Earth.
From my sacred heart to yours,
Catherine,