Lies & Politics: A New Low

On September 13, the Sheriff of Portage County, Ohio (between Akron and Youngstown) posted the following on both his personal and his public Facebook accounts: he stated that this is what he tells people who ask him what will happen if VP Kamala Harris wins the presidential election. "When people ask me...What's gonna happen if the Flip-FLopping, Laughing Hyena Wins?? I say...write down all the addresses of the people who had her signs in their yards! Sooo...when the illegal human "Locusts" (which she supports) Need places to live...We'll already have the addresses of their New Families...Who supported their arrival!" (The post includes photos of a television tuned to Fox News). Numerous followers of Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski have texted hundreds of such names and addresses, putting residents who believe in fair governance in fear of violence. Such behavior by an elected county official is reprehensible at best; I believe the man should be relieved of the office immediately. After all, he was elected to protect all people, no matter what their political beliefs. Sound familiar? Exactly what Trump and his lackey Vance are doing now: demonizing Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, with totally false lies about pet mutilation and eating. Vance claims constituents have phoned him -- gee, no names, no verifications -- only unfounded rumors that city officials have completely denied. Springfield Mayor Republican Rob Rue stated, "Any political leader that takes the national stage...needs to understand the gravity of the words that they have for cities like ours. We have had bomb threats, we have had personal threats, and it's increasing and for what it's worth, your pets are safe in Springfield, Ohio." Ohio Governor DeWine said, "Look, there's a lot of garbage on the internet, and, you know, this is a piece of garbage that was simply not true. There is no evidence at all." But there is a difference between Portage County and our great nation. Though Portage is a heavily Republican County, people are speaking up against the crass dehumanization's expressed by the sheriff. Residents are filing complaints to state and federal agencies, members of Congress and the ACLU. Non-Democrats are putting Harris signs in their yards. A Portage County Commissioner criticized the sheriff and resigned from the county's Republican Central Committee; he stated, "This is not the leadership I want to be part of." If Portage County can react in such a positive manner, why can't our state and nation react in a similar manner to the disgusting lies of Trump and Vance? There is no difference; to demean immigrants and spread fear through communities is the height of sleazy politics. Have we become so immune to the arrogant falsehoods and bullying of the Republican candidates that we now just let it slide and mutter, "Well, it's only Trumpian politics?" When our Ohio leaders such as Mayor Rue and Governor DeWine speak out, their words are ignored; only the lies of the GOP candidates are heard. It must be noted that on recent national television within the last few days, Vance admitted that he is "happy" to make up stories (lies) that serve his purpose. So, to all who are reading this letter, it is not just that Vance read a false rumor on the internet, this is the deliberate, calculated manipulation of voters' fears. We are better than that! Speak up for the truth and fairness in this election and tell the liars they have no place in our country spreading falsehoods and intimidating voters through absolute fearmongering! It doesn't matter if you are a county sheriff in Ohio or a national candidate, running this type of campaign is as un-American and undemocratic as you can get.