These are the Times that Tries Men's Souls

There now exists a clear and present danger to the future of our country.

The title of this essay begins the first article in a series of 13 penned by Thomas Paine, stretching from December 19, 1776, till April 19, 1783. Students of American History will be familiar with it:

"These are the times that try men’s souls: The summer 
soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink 
from the service of his country; (sic) but he that stands it now, 
deserves the love and thanks of man and woman."

When the article was published, the Colonial Army was reeling from losses incurred on Long Island in July, White Plains in October, and Fort Washington in November. In short, the situation was grim. But on December 26 Washington defeated a Hessian garrison in Trenton, setting the stage for another success in Princeton a week later. The British took note, as did the French, who later, played a pivotal role in the final outcome of the War. The campaign was memorialized with Emanuel Leutze's 1851 painting, "Washington Crossing the Delaware". 

This quote is as salient now as it was then but now, the threat is homegrown. It involves a man who would be king if we let it happen. This man is not whole. This man is not well. This man needs professional help. If he's elected, my passion, mitigating the existential threats of Climate Change, will be sidelined along with a host of other initiatives. So don't count me among the summer soldiers or sunshine patriots. For me, this is about the survival of the planet.

It's not at all about him though. It's all about who is behind the scenes pulling the strings, like those folks at the Federalist Society who recommended three Supreme Court Judges in the previous president's regime. It's about the Heritage Foundation's "Project 2025". You should take a good long look at their plans. If this man is elected and "Project 2025" becomes a reality, millions of people's lives will be upended. Basically, everyone except white, heterosexual, Christian males who are loyal to this man, will be affected. To the folks at the Federalist Society and the Heritage Foundation he is a polezni durak. 

His campaign distances itself from "Project 2025", touting its own "Agenda 47". The fact is stark similarities exist between the two.  Again, all those who have been identified in the past by this man and his supporters as the "other" have a real potential of being sanctioned, should the party once known as the Republican Party is able to regain control of the legislature during this man's second term. 

Much like Washington in the Winter of 1776 Joe Biden is feeling the pressure of history. Biden is still the better man in this race. Watch the debate again. Critique the roles of the moderators. Factcheck the erstwhile Republican candidate. Scrutinize Biden's lapses. Research the arc of their respective careers. Just consider what he told a crowd of supporters the next day. Note he made this statement at the end of a robust 20-minute campaign speech. I listened to the whole event, and I encourage everyone who reads this to do the same. Gone was any vestige of the person who was on that debate stage the night before: 

       "I know I'm not a young man. I don't walk as easy as I used to. I don't speak
         as smoothly as I used to. I don't debate as well as I used to. But I know what 
         I do know. I know how to tell the truth. I know right from wrong. And I
         know how to do this job. I know how to get things done. And I know what
         a lot of Americans know: When you get knocked down, you get back up."

So, it's not "business as usual" anymore. The fate of our country is at stake. The difference between the two options is clear. One side is striking fear into the hearts of those they can. The other is pleading for tolerance, acceptance, and unity in working together to make this country even better than it is now. 

P.S. If you haven't opened the link for "Project 2025" or the link for "Agenda 47" go back and take a look at what the so-called Republican Party has in store for our country should they gain control. It is, to say the least, an eye opener.