Voter Fraud

Trump is going full out declaring that, if he looses, it will be because of voter fraud.  He says, over and over, that the election is rigged.   Paul Ryan has one of his campaigners say it isn't rigged.  Here's the thing.  The Republican Party has laid the ground work for Trump's declaration for years.  Going back to the 2012 Presidential election and all the GOP's efforts to institute voter id's because claiming voter fraud that didn't in fact exist.  Voter fraud is phoney, it's not an issue! 
In 2012 the GOP effort was explicitly directed at African American voters.  It hit the elderly too. 
Again, it's a two-fer.  Voter fraud and African American suppression.
The Republican Party set up what Trump ahs taken to the Nth degree.  Again, it's up to the Republican Party to correct their mistakes that are undermining democracy.

Drug Test? Here's Why....

Do you remember how Trump was sniffing constantly during the last two debates?  It was actually very annoying.  Like many other accusations, he projects his own problems and issues onto his opponents.  This idea of a drug test is another two-fer - accuse Hillary Clinton of health/stamina/whatever problems and, it's prevent defense/offense -  before anyone can accuse him of cocaine sniffing, accuse Hillary Clinton.
Really.

Which Is Worse?

Trump hits all the points on this one.  He is talking about rigged elections.  He told his rally goers about how some polling areas "you know the ones I mean"  that there are voting irregularities.  Those polling areas need to be watched.  So, rally goers, he tells them, after you vote, go to those areas and watch them.  They need to be watched because that's where the rigging of the election will happen.
WHOA!  You get a two-fer on that one.  Everyone knows he is talking about suburbanites going into the inner cities - whites going into black areas - racism.  And he is anticipating a rigged election, undermining the foundation of a democratic (small "d") government.
Which is worse?  Racism and dissembling values go hand in hand.
And recently, Trump has added one to make a trifecta.  Now he talks about how Hillary Clinton wants to break down our national barriers because she gets funds from and colludes with "the international financial" cabal.  How close will trump get to adding that "dog whistle" oh, how I hate that term - it isn't a "dog whistle" because it is as explicit as we all know.

Worse

I just heard Trump say, "The Clintons are criminals."  he also said that he would take their slings and  arrows for his audience members, that this election was the last chance and only he could fix it.

EEGAD! 

Two points. Not only is this rhetoric foreign at an American election - it has nothing to do with policy positions - it is just a personal vendetta.  Worse, this rhetoric goes against the entire democratic process.  where is he leading his followers for when Hillary Clinton wins the election?  He is undermining the foundation of our government.

This "only I can fix it" theme that trump has expressed repeatedly, along with his theme of jailing crooked, lying Hillary, echoes the style of a despotic, tyrant.  Trump may  not have the ability to reach the scope of the dictatorships of staling and Hitler, but his method is the same.  It is evil and contrary to our democratic form of government.  His followers don't seem to be bothered by this, but trump himself has sunk into pure evil.

Heartened

I have been listening to the descriptions of Donald trump's sexual encounters (alleged, of course).  Followed by Trump's denials, describing how he couldn't possibly have done the accusation saying, "look at her".  As if to say, she wasn't pretty enough.

I experienced sexual aggression - a boyfriend who went for it, so to speak, without invitation; the groping of my crotch by someone as I stood in a crowded New York subway car; on a suburban bus when a hand reached through the space between the seat and back of the seat to get at my butt.  Maybe the craziest was when I was maybe 12 years old or so (maybe a bit older, i was naïve) and sitting in a public library reading room - I was too young to understand what the man was doing but I sensed something very uncomfortable going on near me - later I found out that the man was jerking off as he sat next to me at a round table. 

As a professional, I experienced various disparaging experiences - when men of my own age, but supervised by me, fundamentally conveyed their discomfort at a woman supervisor, even though they seemed to respect me.  Or when a male peer from another organization placed himself ina superior position to me, even though I was his peer.

anyway, my point is that these things happen.  My dad was a good man, I have many fine male relatives and I have met many good men.   And my professional experiences with men younger than me indicate that times and values are changing toward equality and respect between the sexes.

Michelle Obama recounted a lovely story.  A six year old told his mom that he knew Hillary Clinton would become President. His mom asked why and the six year old replied, "no one who calls someone a Piggy can be President"  E.ven six year olds know what is right.

But now I also have been listening to men - the many athletes who spoke up to say that Trump's locker room conversation is in fact, NOT a locker room conversation.  Then there were the male television journalists - Chris Matthews who said he had heard women tell him things he had never heard before and you could hear his sincere shock and distress; and Chris Hayes, who spoke with true advocacy for women - being a bit younger, I could just sense that Chris Hayes "got it".

Times are changing, Trump is in the gutter, but there are good people out there.

I am heartened.