Last week I encouraged all Mormon Democrats and other left-leaning members of the Church of Jesus Christ to stand as witnesses against the lies, inhumane policies, and corruption of the Republican Party and the right-wing media. (See “Mormon Democrats need to stand as witnesses“).
To “stand” in this context does not mean rising to one’s feet. It means, rather, to take a position and to hold one’s ground. Also, an effective “witness” is not silent. In fact, the function of a witness is to bear testimony. In a courtroom, a witness takes the stand (another definition of the word) to testify to the facts. Accordingly then, I wish to bear testimony to the following political truths:
Leadership
I testify that Joseph R. Biden is the duly elected President of the United States as the result of a free and fairly-counted election. I testify that he won the election by 7 million+ popular votes and 74 Electoral College votes. More than 60 court cases, the Director of the FBI, and Trump’s own Attorney General have verified that there is no evidence to contradict this fact.
I testify that Donald J. Trump is a dangerous malignant narcissist. I testify that he is a would-be fascist dictator who still longs for power. In 2017, more than 18,000 mental health professionals signed a petition that Trump should be removed from office due to “serious mental illness.” Now that he is out of office, his megalomania should be discouraged, not encouraged.
Corruption
I testify that the Republican Party that my parents used to support no longer exists. I testify that integrity, honor, fair-play, and justice are now extremely rare in the party of Lincoln. There are many examples of this corruption, over many decades. I’ll just point out the most shocking current example.
Republican lawmakers in 43 states have proposed at least 250 new laws to suppress voting. This one fact is proof enough that the Republicans have sacrificed any principles they may have once had to their naked desire for power and gain.
I testify that inequality, of material wealth, of civil rights, and of human opportunity is the greatest evil in the world and the root cause of all other evils. I further testify that the Republican Party, the mega-corporate business community, and the super wealthy are the greatest promulgators of this evil in our country and around the world.
Decay
I testify that global climate change is real, human-caused, and is accelerating. The fossil fuel industry and its political friends have become an existential threat to all life on Earth. Ninety-seven percent of all climate scientists agree on these facts. Stubborn ignorant climate change denial will not save you when the wildfires, or the droughts, or the famines, or the floods, come to your town.
I testify that Donald J. Trump (R), Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R), Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R), and many other “leaders,” are responsible for the deaths of thousands of Americans due to their stubborn, politically motivated and scientifically ignorant responses to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Conclusion
These facts are wholly true and nothing but true. So help me God. Denying or ignoring these things will not change their truthfulness.
I could make a longer list, but these are my current major concerns: Truth vs. lies, Republican fascism, voting rights, inequality, climate change, and the pandemic.
I hope, dear reader, that you will also choose to share your political testimony, online or otherwise. We need more voices on the side of reality.
Sources
“It’s Official: The Election Was Secure,” Brennan Center for Justice, December 11, 2020.
“Shrinks Battle Over Diagnosing Donald Trump,” Psychology Today, January 31, 2017.
Amy Gardner, Kate Rabinowitz and Harry Stevens, “How GOP-backed voting measures could create hurdles for tens of millions of voters,” Washington Post, March 11, 2021.
Elise Gould, “Decades of rising economic inequality in the U.S.,” Economic Policy Institute, March 27, 2019.
“Scientific Consensus: Earth’s Climate Is Warming,” NASA, 2020.
Dominique Vervoort and Hloni Bookholane, “COVID-19 Isn’t Political; Its Response Shouldn’t Be Politicized,” Global Health Now, January 25, 2021.
I think there are a few more things you can testify about. 1. That trickle down economics is a lie and doesn’t work. 2. That government can solve problems. 3. That there are competent civil servants who spend their lives helping Americans live a better life. 4. That drowning government in a bathtub is a recipe for disaster because we need government with its checks and balances to keep in check the corrupt tendencies of some citizens. 5. Finally some services are more important than money such as education, health care, housing, and people eating.
I wish I could be as eloquent as Brian but I agree with him wholeheartedly that we need to stand up for our beliefs and if needs be testify about how the best government is for all of us not just a few select people.