A Struggle to Understand Trump’s Appeal

I’m struggling to understand how nearly half of Americans could support Trump. Watching the Dixville Notch, New Hampshire vote, the first official vote of the election, I was stunned to see Trump receive 50% of the votes. I scrutinized the faces of the voters on the screen, looking for some obvious sign of social deviance or maladjustment, but saw none. The only hint of bias came when the woman reading the votes admitted she could never say Vice President Kamala Harris’ name correctly, possibly echoing Trump’s own mispronunciation. Other than that, these people seemed reasonable and approachable. How could half of them think Trump was fit to be President?

As I grapple with this question, I also face the difficult reality of my own family’s political beliefs. My mother, for example, supports Trump despite his glaring shortcomings. Her reasoning is deeply personal: she backs him solely because Vice President Kamala Harris defends a woman’s right to choose. My mother’s view is shaped by her years working in emergency rooms, where she saw the devastating effects of botched abortions. For her, the issue of abortion is visceral and shapes her political allegiance.

My father has an entirely different reason for his support. He believes Trump is working to dismantle the fiat currency system, a move he views as essential for economic stability. He is convinced that moving away from fiat currency could strengthen our financial future, a belief so powerful it overrides his concerns about Trump’s other actions. The contrast between their perspectives and my own confusion leaves me questioning how seemingly rational people can arrive at such starkly different conclusions.

But even as I try to understand their views, one question keeps nagging me: What about democracy? What about our nation’s civil discourse commitment and relationships with other democracies? How can we claim to stand against tyranny if we are willing to elect someone who so openly displays authoritarian tendencies? 

The Case for Kamala Harris

Contrast this with Kamala Harris, who has emerged as a leader capable of fostering cooperation and bridging divides. She consistently offers thoughtful, tempered solutions while staying true to her sense of purpose. Her ability to bring people together is even more impressive given her background: she is of African American and South Asian descent, cultures that both emphasize community and collective welfare. This stands in stark contrast to Trump’s transactional worldview, where wealth is amassed on the backs of the working class. It’s the classic story of the bourgeoisie exploiting the proletariat. Harris’s approach is rooted in community-oriented values, while Trump’s wealth-driven ethos only perpetuates economic divides and undermines the collective good.

A Storm on the Horizon

As I type this on my balcony overlooking the Honolulu skyline, a rare thunderstorms around me. Lightning flashes through heavy gray clouds and rain sheets down. Normally, rain here is light and mixed with sunshine, creating ideal conditions for rainbows, which is why our license plates proudly display them. But today, there are no rainbows, just lightning, dark clouds, and a sense that it’s best to stay inside, wait out the storm, and assess the damage afterward. We could be facing a metaphorical four-year storm.

Whether intentional or not, another Trump presidency could usher in an era of tyranny. We would face a constant sense of unease, never knowing what he might say or do next, an unpredictability that could ignite conflict at home or abroad. How can we function as a society if this level of unpredictability becomes the norm?

If the electoral college allows tyranny to threaten the presidency, those of us who support democracy will wake up the next morning and go to work, though perhaps feeling a bit defeated. We’ll encounter people who are happy with the outcome and wonder how they can be, but we’ll treat them with kindness and civility. We’ll share moments of commiseration with those who feel our pain and choose our battles wisely when engaging with those who don’t. As new threats to democracy arise, we’ll soothe ourselves with late-night comedy, comfort food, journaling, and quiet reflection. We’ll also teach our children what’s happening, bring them together with like-minded friends and family, and hold fast to the hope of becoming the tired, poor, huddled masses yearning to breathe free once again.

A Bloom Amidst the Storm

While writing this, I looked up at the gray sky and noticed a Canna Lily I had recently brought home had bloomed. Just the night before, I had photographed what I thought was a slow-growing bud. I didn’t expect it to bloom so quickly. Curious, I looked up the symbolism of Canna Lilies: they represent rebirth, resurrection, and purity. They symbolize the soul’s journey from darkness to light, the emergence of the inner self, and spiritual awakening. Canna Lilies are also said to have healing properties, calming the mind, releasing negative emotions, and promoting balance and harmony.

Maybe there is hope in all of this. During Trump’s first term, I watched my daughter become politically engaged and aware at a young age. I hope that even if we face full-blown tyranny or become alienated from the world, this dark period will become fertile ground for a new generation of activists and leaders. All the chaos and adversity could serve as the fertilizer that nourishes them.

And if we remember to cooperate and maintain perspective, we will survive. As the musical group Wookiefoot wisely offers, “In the end, it’s all okay; and if it’s not okay, it’s not the end.”