An Open Letter To Robert Reich and Bernie Sanders

Both of you have been urging us to vote for Hillary Clinton because of the potentially horrific consequences of Donald Trump becoming President.  I understand your thesis, however flawed.  The Clinton-Trump pairing is by far the worst major party choice we have faced within my lifetime.  However, I feel the only wasted vote is a “pragmatic” compromise vote for someone who is not one’s first choice.

Consider the candidates.  Both are militaristic, and neither is transparent.  Clinton will bring us four more years of the decline we’ve been experiencing, including the same Republican stonewalling we’ve become used to.  Trump would lead us deliberately and blindly into disaster.  Neither represents progress, and neither would be good for our country.  Both vice presidential running mates are cynical and regressive selections; both are anti-choice, and one of these candidates would probably try to make us into a theocracy if he becomes President.

Nonetheless I am willing to accept the risk of Trump winning this election.  He is so outrageous, and so dangerous, that I’m sure he will be met with open rebellion both in Congress and in the streets.  I hope violence can be averted, even considering the increasing violence our nation is experiencing now.  A Trump presidency will be short.  I anticipate his fairly quick impeachment and removal, and believe a Pence presidency will be met with equal, though less violent, dissent.

I understand your logic, but it is deeply flawed.  We must not vote or elect based on fear.  I voted for Sanders in the presidential primary, and am happy with my vote.  Despite heartfelt advice from two individuals I deeply respect, I cannot vote for either of the major party candidates.  I don’t know whether I will vote for Jill Stein or write someone else in.  But I will not waste my vote.