Beacons of Hope vs. Shadows of Doubt

Truth and Empathy - A Vision of the Future vs. Lies and Threats - A Vison of a Dark Past

In the charged atmosphere of the 2024 presidential campaign, the stark contrast between the candidates’ messages and their visions for America moving forward have never been more evident. Since President Biden stepped aside for VP Kamala Harris, the universal sigh of relief from Democrats has turned into an explosion of support reminiscent of Obama in 2008. The other side is stuck in a playbook that is decades old, but still appeals to a significant part of our population. 

With Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, we see beacons of hope breaking through the darkness we have endured since 2016, resonating with promises of unity, progress, and a brighter future. On the other side, with Donald Trump and JD Vance, we hear shadows of doubt looming large, fueled by constant lying, hate-filled rhetoric and threats of vengeful retribution that incites fear, division, uncertainty. Nothing reveals this more than the comments of Tim Walz and JD Vance on their mutual military service. 

Chris LaCivita advises the Trump/Vance campaign. He was the architect of the “Swift Boat” strategy that attacked the Viet Nam military service of Senator John Kerry during the 2004 Presidential campaign. Echoing that reprehensible attack, JD Vance attacked the 24-year military service of Tim Walz. Walz responded by saying that he was proud of his own military service, that no veteran should attack the service of another veteran, and that he honored the service of every veteran including JD Vance. Their words reveal a marked difference that speaks volumes about the character of both and the tenor of the respective campaigns. 

What is at the heart of these radically contrasting narratives, revealing how each candidate’s language reflects their vision for America and influences the electorate? By exploring the optimistic and pessimistic tones that define this race, as is always true, we uncover the power of words in shaping the nation's path forward. I wrote about this phenomenon a year ago in “Our Common Discontent.”  

During the run-up to the 2016 Presidential election, both extremes, the Bernie Sanders army and MAGA, often sounded oddly similar. For a while, I did not understand. It puzzled me. Finally, I realized the two extremes and many in the middle from both sides shared similar discontents and frustrations. A new question arose from that realization. Are the discontents and dissatisfactions authentic - Are they real? Are they based on actual, demonstrable deficiencies - or are they fabrications with no basis in what is real? Some are real. Others are fabrications that have become real. Again, our words create our reality. 

The right-wing Republican wordsmiths and shapeshifters know this all too well. They have successfully transformed the word, Democrat, into a rant, equal in power and disgust to using the Lord's name in vain. Likewise, these words, liberal, progressive, woke, and others, each connotatively positive in the past, have been transformed into the most negative phrases in our language. That the right-wing wordsmiths have transformed these words speak to their evil genius and intent and our gullibility and ignorance. 

The past 8 years have affected each of us. The Trump impact on our culture is obvious. The dark nightmare of his vision has infected our culture so deeply that only passing years and historians will be able to measure how deeply it changed us. Because Trump is fundamentally negative, his influence has systemically spread negativity throughout our culture. Standing in the middle of it, in the present, that much is clear.  

Even yesterday, Trump called America a “third world country,” a “banana republic.” In the same way that other Trump statements and actions have, it shocks, surprises, and disappoints me that a candidate to be our next President can denigrate our great Nation, the one he wants to lead, and that millions of Americans respond and support his view. His comments were not only profane but also deeply disrespectful, showing a complete disregard for the American values we hold dear. 

In a clearly opposite vision and philosophy, the Democratic Party has long been a champion of fairness, inclusivity, and progress, advocating for policies that uplift working families, expand access to healthcare, and protect the environment for future generations. Democrats up and down the ticket believe in a government that works for everyone, not just the wealthy few, and in creating opportunities for all Americans to thrive. The Kamala Harris-Tim Walz campaign embodies these values, promoting unity, equity, and common-sense solutions that address the real needs of everyday people.  

Harris and Walz are committed to building an economy that works for everyone, protecting voting rights, expanding access to education, and ensuring that all Americans have a voice in shaping the future of the country. Their positive message is centered on hope, opportunity, and the belief that we are stronger together. Their language reflects this, and the overwhelmingly positive response to their campaign indicates a national fatigue to the dark negativity of Trump and the Republican message. America is tired of hate and division. America aspires to hope and a bright future. 

Like Tim Walz, I am a teacher and a former football coach. Like Tim Walz and his Wolverines, we went from winless seasons to 3 consecutive State Championships. I understand him in ways most people cannot. I know what optimism and positive language can do. In those days, our head coach, Steve Taneyhill, had no patience for negativity and complaints. He might listen briefly, but then he would say, “coach ‘em up,” or “fix it.”  

Those phrases became our mantras, and they mattered. In the same way, America, all Americans, should reject the dark negativity of the Trump/Republican message. To say it very simply, America is a great nation, and it will continue to be just that so long as we aspire to reach the goals of The American Dream expressed by our Founding Fathers and by great Americans over our history. We must choose our path wisely.