A dangerous time for minorities like me

A dangerous time for minorities like me

Suddenly life as a minority in our country has changed.

As Jews living in the South, it has not been comfortable. We have felt the intolerance of some local officials, some local churches, and our state legislature.

However, we felt joy in the social progress that our country was making.

Now, President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Stephen Bannon as his top strategist. Bannon has made his living promoting white supremacy, antisemitism and hate.

This is not just uncomfortable, this is dangerous.

The strength of our country has always been our diversity. Today all immigrants and all minorities are afraid.

This cannot stand.

Good reasons for the Electoral College

The founders instituted the Electoral College to keep populous states from dominating the nation.

The Senate has two senators from each state regardless of population for the same reason.

Eliminating the Electoral College requires two-thirds of Congress and three-fourths of states to approve an amendment.

States would never approve such a change, as it would allow a few states to dominate the election.

So talk of eliminating the Electoral College is just that – talk.

Trump blueprint: appeal to haters

Don’t waste time on an intelligent discussion of issues or thoughtful preparation of policies to address national problems.

Instead, identify a core group of angry, resentful people who blame “others” for their own failures, stoke the hatred and bigotry of your core group at mass rallies where you make inane promises you never intend to keep, then sit back and watch the votes roll in.

This is the true, dumbed-down America of haters and bigots.

I want a respected female president

It is a shame that Kirk Michie set his daughter up for disappointment election night by suggesting she might wake up to the first female president.

When we do have a female president I want it to be someone who is respected and earns it, not just because of her gender.

I preach to my children that they must go out and earn what they want in life, not to expect to get jobs and positions because of their race, gender or just because they complain a lot.

I worry about Burr targeting a free press

One of the signs of authoritarianism is erosion of democratic institutions such as a free press.

The president-elect has made his opinions known about the free press. Now, it appears senators may be following suit. Just a week after the election, a reporter I respect and admire – Burgess Everett of Politico – tweeted the following: “@SenatorBurr is walking around with photos of reporters he won’t talk to. I’m on it.”

If true, I find this a flagrant violation of the First Amendment.

Don’t deny inmates right to advocacy

Why is there a discussion over whether or not the names of inmates condemned to long-term solitary confinement should be released?

Do not deny them their right to advocacy.

Do not hide them so far out of reach that, for all intents and purposes, they cease to exist.

Just because placing someone in solitary confinement is legal, does not mean it is not just as violent, vile and morally reprehensible as anything the state convicted these men of doing.

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This story was originally published November 16, 2016 at 5:09 PM with the headline "A dangerous time for minorities like me."