Following the November 3rd USA presidential election, a colleague expressed sincere confusion over the refusal of many Republicans and Trump supporters to acknowledge the election results. My colleague started a blog dialogue soliciting input from readers to explain this dilemma. Naturally, all of the comments focused on partisan positioning and attacks on the election process, mail-in voting and allegations of fraud and voter suppression and did nothing to move the discussion towards underlying factors. I’m not sure if my comments moved us much towards that goal but following is my contribution to that discussion.
First of all, many states, including Florida where I live, have been doing mail-in voting for years without significant problems. Even Trump praised the Florida mail-in voting system at the same time he was railing against mail-in voting in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin because he knew mail-in voting in Florida was to his advantage but not so much in other states. So mail-in voting is not the problem; the problem is for whom the mail-in votes are being cast. Just another form of voter suppression.
As to the myth that Trump won 80% of the popular vote, it is perpetuated by liars and schemers spouting made up conspiracy theories that the disenfranchised are eager to believe. And it seems believable to them because they only listen to news sources, pundits and politicians that perpetuate these mistruths and tell them what they want to hear. And their position is further entrenched because nearly everyone they know voted for Trump, so it must be 80%. I could use the same basis for a Biden win at 80% because nearly everyone I know voted for Biden. But I know that is illogical and I know that I function in a huge bubble of like-minded people. My perspective is biased and tainted with my chosen ideology as is the world and perspective of the Trumpers. It is not right or appropriate for either of us to demand outcomes based solely on our beliefs and desires. That is why we have processes and procedures. We have an election process and we have a legal process, both of which have been stressed to their limits this year, but both of which have worked as designed and intended according to all reputable authorities. Even AG Bill Barr, Trump’s loyal devotee, has publicly stated there is no evidence of mass voter fraud. And the Supreme Court, the final authority, including a conservative majority and three justices seated by Trump himself have said there is no basis in the frivolous lawsuit brought before them.
Trump himself, just before the election, said “losing is hard.” Every once in awhile he stumbles upon a truism and this is one. It will take some time for his followers to accept the reality that their guy did not win and that we need to collectively focus on what is best for our country and all Americans and put an end to the despicable partisan sabotage that is crippling our government, our credibility and our standing in the world.