I saw an article in the
New York Times
in which a Casselton farmer was asked about his attitude for Trump’s tariffs and trade war:
Here in the largest soybean-producing county in the country, a snowy winter has left North Dakota farmers like Robert Runck with time on their hands before spring planting — time they have spent stewing over how much they stand to lose if President Trump starts a trade war with China.
“If he doesn’t understand what he’s doing to the nation by doing what he’s doing, he’s going to be a one-term president, plain and simple,” said Mr. Runck, a fourth-generation farmer who voted for Mr. Trump. Pausing outside the post office in this town of 2,300, Mr. Runck said the repercussions could be more immediate for Representative Kevin Cramer, a Republican whose bid against Senator Heidi Heitkamp, a Democrat, has been complicated by the proposed tariffs.
“If it doesn’t get resolved by election time, I would imagine it would cost Kevin Cramer some votes,” he said.
With all due respect to the thousands of other farmers across Midwest, Is what your country can do for you the only reason you vote?
To the steel workers who think they’re going to start making steel like back in the good old days, is the only reason you vote is for what your country can do for you?
To the gun lover, is the only reason you vote so that you can keep your arsenal?
Remember JFK? “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.”
As a broadcaster, I didn’t vote for Bill Clinton because he supported the Communications act of 1996. I voted for him for economic reasons, (he presided over the longest period of peacetime economic expansion in American history.) He created the Children’s Health Insurance Program. He failed on Health Care reform. He played a mean sax. I didn’t vote for him for personal riches.
Don’t be a one-issue voter. If I lived in New England, I might even vote for that young Joe Kennedy in Congress and he’s against Medical Marijuana, an issue for which I’d urge support, not because I’m a child with seizures or a veteran with PTSD, but for those others. He does stand for issues with which I agree. Do I turn my vote away because he’s not 100% with me? Nope. But, I hope I can change his mind.
Is the only reason you donate to the American Cancer Society because you have cancer? Do you only support Feed the Children because you’re hungry? Do you give to your church just so you can get to heaven? What about donating for others? Use your vote likewise. For others too.
(Jack Sunday is a radio veteran with nearly 50-years “behind the mike.” He hosts “The Drive,” 4-7pm, weekdays on KFGO. He likes to say he’s not old…just aging.)
