24) I Like Joy & Compassion More Than Anger & Revenge

Reason #24 to Vote Blue on Nov 5

Kamala Harris: She can deliver a serious speech. Like last night in Philadelphia:

“Do we want to live in a country of freedom, compassion and rule of law or a country of chaos, fear and hate? …Here’s the beauty of this moment – we each have the power to answer that question. …The power is with the people,” she said.

She was fighting for the freedom to vote and to live free from the “terror of gun violence” – by passing universal background checks, red flag laws and an assault weapons ban – as well as reproductive freedom.

But Kamala Harris can also laugh and dance. Call it “Black Joy,” or call it “Black Girl Magic.” I call it just the ability to have fun, what most people call healthy and normal.

As Tim Walz, the newly chosen VP candidate said last night, “Thank you Madam Vice President for bringing back the joy.” Amen to that! Hear his introduction and a tiny portion of his speech below:

It was such a relief to have two years of a calm Presidency under Biden. Thank you Joe Biden for decency, hard work, and exceptional results. For a time when good things got done, despite the tiniest majority in Congress. After the GOP obtained a House majority in January, 2023, well, things began to get chaotic and distracting again. In case you have forgotten, this clip includes about 20% of that disruption:

Donald Trump: He is always serious– seriously antagonistic, mean, or angry. Have you ever seen him with a real laugh, a sincere smile, or with any sense of joy? The only humor he likes is the kind at somewhat else’s expense. For example, when he mocks the laughter of Kamala Harris – “Lafin’ Kamala. She’s crazy.”

Are you aware of the angry “retribution” Trump is planning, should he get into the White House again? Don’t be fooled by his denials – he knows what is in the 900 page Project 2025 report (an outline for the implementation of forced Christian Nationalism and corporate protections). J. D. Vance wrote the report’s forward! They both know it well. Combine a “transition team” stocked with Project 2025 believers with Trump’s angry and authoritarian impulse…. well, consider the video below (made on July 3, 2024 before Biden cancelled his campaign and endorsed Harris, the same day I decided it was imperative for me to list all the reasons – even 90 of them – to stop the return of Trump to the White House):

His endless Twitter messages during his 4 years in office were needless, caustic, and certainly not suggesting someone disposed to engaging legislators. So, I don’t want to experience anything like that again! “I am not going back.”

At a press conference today, J. D. Vance claimed that Trump does indeed have a sense of humor; his example was the funny names that Trump assigns to people. Vance is wrong; insulting epithets [like “crazy Nancy”] are never a sign of humor, they are a sign of a bully. [See “Reason #13.]

I am for the vision for America that the majority wants, the one that brings me joy.

I reject the anger, the vengeance, the rude insults, and the mean-spirited and dangerous authoritarian impulses of Trump, along with the damaging GOP policies for the middle class and the poor of our country. I am for Harris and Walz that exude a calm and joyful demeanor who both represent policies that support the middle class and poor of our country.