Letter from Frank Hammer, Detroit, USA
A few days ago, I wrote that a Trump/Vance victory would be a victory for the Southern Confederacy. That is sufficient reason to do all we can to prevent the Trump/Vance ticket from winning. There are many more, but a confederate ascendancy will represent a seismic shift for life in the US.
Its seriousness is dawning on folks with the media chatter about Trump/Vance openly representing fascism. Trump can wish to dismiss the claims, but he’s also been trying to dismiss the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, his blueprint for fascism. His return to the White House represents a grave threat, especially under the current Supreme Court.
Some are willing to take that risk with a vote for a third-party candidate, or by voting “uncommitted.” The gravity of the genocide being inflicted against the Palestinian people and now the Lebanese, with the full support of the Biden administration – without protest by Harris – is a completely understandable reason. However, a Trump/Vance administration offers no relief in this regard. On the contrary, they will double down, supporting Netanyahu.
We face a graver, planetary threat of “genocide” if we enable climate deniers Trump/Vance to take power. This is where I take issue with Green Party candidate Jill Stein. If she was really “Green,” she would appeal to voters in swing states to vote for Harris. If Stein understands the science underlying irreversible climate change brought on by global heating, she will know that four more years of Trump will spell disaster for humanity. Unlike Harris, who has supported “green” legislation and spoken out about the “climate crisis,” Trump will unleash the climate deniers and shut down action to reduce greenhouse gasses.
Even under the best circumstances, we will have to endure many more Hurricane Helenes, and Miltons (never mind other unreported climate disasters around the world). But under Trump we will be shackled.
Scientists urge that we act rapidly to cut emissions by half by 2030. That will be impossible under Trump/Vance. With a powerful mass movement, It may be possible under Harris/Walz. That’s the choice we must make for the sake of our collective futures, and those of our young people. Our struggle to end the brutal occupation of Palestine must continue, regardless.
[Frank Hammer is a retired member of the US auto union, UAW at General Motors ]
