I suffered through the Vice President “debate” just to try to see if I could learn something about the candidates. To be honest, I did learn somethings that I did not know, and had some things that I already knew, reinforced. First and foremost, none of these candidates EVER answers the actual question that they are asked. They use the question as a gateway to a campaign “talking point.” That annoys the hell out of me! If you are not willing to answer questions do not run for office! It is just that simple.
I learned that Governor Walz is not particularly bright. He did not seem to have a particularly deep understanding of economics or how tax rates affect tax revenue. (Reference the Laffer Curve.) Walz, like Harris, is a Marxist. Their fallback position is “class envy” and “class strife.” That is such a despicable ideology. How can we build a peaceful, united, society if our government is constantly pitting one group of citizens against another?
Our current tax system is unfair. Every adult citizen should pay the same percentage of their income as tax. Write – offs and exemption should be exceedingly rare and be offered to every taxpayer. No citizen should pay a higher percentage of their income as tax than any other taxpayer. And pigs might fly.
Mr. Walz also showed no understanding of foreign policy and the need for a strong, stable United States. The man is simply not ready for the role of Vice President. He touted all the remarkable success that Minnesota has had under his leadership, but studiously skirted his lack of leadership during the riots of 2020. “Buffoon” is the word that comes to mind.
I also learned that the lamestream media has been dreadfully unjust in their portrayal of Senator Vance. Ever since he emerged on the national scene as a candidate for Senate in Ohio, the media has painted Mr. Vance as a wild eyed, crazed radical, politically somewhere between Adolph Hitler and Attila the Hun. I was expecting to hear all kinds of white jingoist rhetoric; what I heard was an articulate, thoughtful, intelligent man with a depth of knowledge about the issues facing our nation.
Senator Vance presented himself as a steady, calm, unflappable man. He exuded confidence and leadership ability. He made his positions clear; he took no crap from the moderators, and he was gentile and gentlemanly throughout the discussion.
The senator also used two very subtle, totally devastating devices throughout the debate that were simply brilliant. Every time he referenced the current administration he said, “Kamala Harris” not “Joe Biden,” thereby assigning all blame for the current dumpster fire that is our world squarely on Harris. It was brilliant!
The other device was also devastating, but in a different manner. Throughout the entire debate, Senator Vance referred to Governor Walz by his first name, instead of by his title, thereby minimizing Walz’s political stature. These both show the senator’s strategic skill and thinking ability.
The most important moment of the debate came when Senator Vance spontaneously reacted to Walz saying that his 17-year-old son had witnesses a shooting. The senator’s response was incredible.
He said, “"Tim, first of all, I didn't know that your 17-year-old witnessed a shooting, and I'm sorry about that and I hope he's doing OK," he said. "Christs have mercy, it is awful." This was not scripted, was not planned, was not practiced, or rehearsed. It was an honest, heartfelt reaction from a good and decent man. In an era bereft of decent people in positions of power, Senator J. D. Vance stands out as a decent, honorable gentleman.
I grew up in Appalachia, though not of Appalachian people. The people of Appalachia hold many of the characteristics that exemplified America at its best. J. D. Vance embodies the kindness, the decency, the rugged individualism, and the simple goodness of his mountain country heritage. Senator Vance, if elected, will be a strong influence for good on President Trump.
J. D. Vance is one more good reason to vote for Donald Trump for president.
