To understand the vast differences in values and motivations between Sen. Mike Lee and his challenger, Evan McMullin, and what’s at stake in the coming election, we must recall a vital part of our history.
During World War II, on D-Day, our brave soldiers in the first wave to land on Omaha beach in Normandy were slaughtered by Nazi defenders. Casualty rates often exceeded 90%. Many thousands more gave their blood, limbs and lives in places like North Africa, the Ardennes Forest and Berlin to defeat the Nazi scourge.
In the Pacific, in places like Iwo Jima, Guadalcanal, Midway and Saipan, tens of thousands of our brave men sacrificed their lives in some of the bloodiest battles of the war to defeat Japanese imperialism.
In WWII, some 405,000 courageous American men and women gave their lives and 572,000 were wounded - many enduring lifelong trauma - all to defeat the Axis powers in Europe and the Pacific. Their heroism and sacrifice, along with our allies, turned back the Fascist threat that was sweeping the world. Their bravery and determination, and those who supported the massive war effort at home, prevented Fascism from reaching our shores, and preserved our precious freedoms and democratic way of life.
Now, 75 years later, our democratic republic is threatened from within. The Republican Party, now dominated by extremists including Mike Lee, is hell-bent on subverting our democracy and replacing it with totalitarianism and oligarchy. Without moral conscience and in flagrant violation of their oath of office, they undermine the tenets of our Constitution. While satisfying their lust for power, greed and personal gain, Senator Lee and his cohorts desecrate the thousands of the brave souls who fought valiantly to save our democracy from the Fascist onslaught. As a loyal Trump acolyte, Lee’s politics of extremism and obstruction are well documented.
The strategies of the Republican extremists and their supporters follow Fascist doctrine:
• Repetitive lies, half-truths and false narratives bolstered by a toxic propaganda machine (Fox News, etc.). Denial of facts and science.
• Lawlessness as evidenced by corruption, grifting, undermining constitutional checks and balances.
• Sadistic threats, promotion of racism and violence.
• Scapegoating minorities.
• Denial of legitimate election results while pursuing various methods to cheat, including gerrymandering, voter suppression, poll worker intimidation, undermining objective vote counting.
• Character assassination and threats of violence against those who speak truthfully (Rep. Liz Cheney, Lt. Col. Vindman, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and many others).
• Bashing the FBI, the press and threatening journalists.
• Assaults on education, teachers, curriculum.
• Cult-blind allegiance to a corrupt megalomaniac who engineered the violent attack on our Capitol.
The GOP extremists have become masters of spin, duping those unable to see obvious truth. For example, the January 6 attack on the Capitol during which 150 police officers were injured and some died, and rioters sought to assassinate members of Congress, is deemed “legitimate political discourse” by the GOP leadership - typical Fascist manipulation.
In stark contrast to Lee, Evan McMullin is a viable choice. Having witnessed the loss of human/civil rights as a CIA operative in other countries, McMullin understands first hand the tragic consequences when civil liberties are corrupted.
McMullin’s “Priorities” and his twelve “Principles for Renewal” described on his website offer a refreshing alternative to the extreme and polarizing agenda of Lee. McMullen stands strong for protecting our democracy, defense of our Constitution, upholding the rule of law, protecting voting rights, promoting inclusiveness, sustaining free speech, seeking and promoting truth, demanding ethical government and more.
In contrast to Lee who is beholden to the self-serving interests of his benefactors, the corporate and wealthy elite, McMullin seeks to expand economic opportunity for everyone, make healthcare more accessible and affordable, promote our general welfare and work toward fixing our broken politics in Washington.
As we approach the election on November 8, our nation is at a crucial choice point. Will our democratic republic survive or will we succumb to extremists who will further usurp our Constitutional rights and attempt to install a despot? Will we allow Lee and his cohorts in Congress to succeed thereby desecrating those who fought bravely to preserve our democracy?
As Utahns, we must decide if the sacrifices and heroic efforts of our American servicemen and women were in vain, or if our liberties and freedoms will prevail. Clearly, Evan McMullin deserves our votes.
Andrew Kramer
Andrew Kramer is a Vietnam veteran and retired architect who managed large projects with firms in Boston and Denver.