Dear Editor,
This past June I took the Law School Admissions Test, better known as the LSAT. When I first began prepping for the exam, I took a practice test to gauge my strengths and weaknesses. At that point I had to choose which area – analytics, logical reasoning or reading comprehension – that I wanted to focus on improving as the test taking date was approaching quite quickly. I chose logical reasoning. That decision helped me score mid-range. It was logical reasoning that got me over the hump, and it is logical reasoning that I will ask certain groups of voters to exercise when heading to the ballot box in November.
First, I would like to thank all those who do not publicly comment on my letters but inform me privately that they enjoy reading and, unbeknownst to me, do share them with a larger audience. Now, to those who I seek to address: if you are a convicted felon and think just because the former president is now one of us that you can automatically identify with him to the tune of voting for him, I have a strong word for you: DON’T.
Think about this: who do you know on your socioeconomic level that can go to trial, get convicted on 34 felony counts and still be out waltzing around as the Republican party’s presidential nominee? No, you cannot identify with the former president, so stop fooling yourselves. From my understanding, there is a large swath of ex-offenders prepared to vote for a Republican ticket. Before voting that Republican ticket I humbly request you contact any of the GOP state legislators or even the GOP Congressman who represents your district and ask them to put forth legislation that will open the door to more opportunities statewide for ex-offenders and let me know how that turns out. Not going to happen.
Yet these are the same legislators who plan to put a convicted felon in the office of president of the United States.
Furthermore, if you are a convicted felon who happens to be Black and are planning to vote a Republican ticket you really need to listen to what several Republicans are telling you. They want to send undocumented immigrants back across the border: mass deportation is how it is being termed. Once they send the undocumented immigrants out of the country, they expect you to go back to your “Black” jobs, which is apparently what the undocumented immigrants took from Black people when they came over. Now, ask yourself what jobs do you see undocumented immigrants working? They are telling you what they think of you, and me, because I am a Black American. Logic dictates you vote opposite initiatives that will harm rather than help you.
Education? That Pell Grant that has helped several poor people obtain a quality college education is on the line as Project 2025 seeks to dismantle the Department of Education, which would mean the end of dreams of going to college for people who cannot afford the rising costs of higher learning. If you are not wealthy, the Republican platform does not help you at all – no matter race, color, or creed. Some of us are chasing identity politics while others have straight up lost their identity.
Logic dictates you vote opposite initiatives that will harm rather than help you. The Democratic Party is the reason eligible people are still receiving SNAP benefits, which is also on the line in this election. If you do not believe me, just do the research. There will be opposition to what I am writing. I encourage you to not pay attention to the opposing comments, rather look at the reports and listen to the statements. Just because President Biden stepped down does not mean the end is near. If you are new to the political process and need help understanding what Project 2025 means for you, I strongly urge you to attend a meeting at your local Democratic Party headquarters.
In closing, I want to say that political violence has no place in our current political climate. It is dangerous and unnecessary. If you do not want a particular candidate in office, then do not vote for him or her. Many people are referencing the 20th century political assassinations, but let us not forget about Abraham Lincoln and James Garfield, William McKinley (at the turn of the 20th century), as well as the killing of Alexander Hamilton, the first Treasury secretary by Aaron Burr, Thomas Jefferson’s vice president at the time. Political violence is and should remain our past.
Once again, thank you to everyone who messages me in agreement. I do suggest, however, that if you do not have a subscription to the Augusta Press, make sure to subscribe.
Lawrence Anthony Brannen
Founder & President of The Justice-Impacted Reformation Society Inc.
