What if Fred Rogers campaigned for the presidency in 2016 – and won !/!/!
What if Rogers won on a campaign of happiness and hope – instead of rage and resentment?
What if Rogers campaigned on “Will You Live In My Neighborhood?” – and it was understood that the “neighborhood” was America itself?
Fred Rogers: “I think that those who would try to make you feel less than who you are, I think that’s the greatest evil.” [DVD: “Won’t You Be MY Neighbor”]
What if the tidal wave of Americans who elect3ed Rogers also elected a loving, positive, “democratic-minded’ Congress?
What if these Congress Critters were so intimidated by the Rogers landslide – they actually listened to what Rogers said – AND – what the American PEOPLE were saying: they wanted a better and kinder country, a country that actually cared for its citizens, a country that enacted policies and programs that benefitted the lower 90%???
what if Rogers’ entire term was something like the reforms of 1933-36? Programs with the impact of Social Security, recognition of worker rights, programs and policies to aid “the forgotten man,” programs for FAMILY farmers, TVA, enforcing anti-trust laws, re-instituting the Glass-Steagall Act and “Truth-in-Securities Act, universal child care, universal health care, programs to retrain workers victimized by “off-shoring,” tax and other policies that encourage manufacturing in the U.S.. a RETURN to tax policies of 1933-1980 with a top marginal tax rate of 81%???
Fred Rogers: “Let’s take the gauntlet and make goodness attractive in this so-called next millennium. That’s the real job we have. I’m not talking about Pollyannish kind of stuff, I’m talking about down to earth actual goodness. People caring for each other, in a myriad of ways, rather than people knocking each other off all the time…The only thing that really changes th world is when somebody gets the idea that love can abound and can be shared.” [DVD: “Won’t You Be MY Neighbor?”]
What if America cared first and most about children – instead of corporations and the rich??? What if the ONLY tax cuts were for people having children and child care??? What if America ensured it’s children’s futures by nurturing them, by providing THE top education in the world {& paid the teacher salaries to attract the best]??? What if America was concerned enough to seriously fight pollution from fossil fuels instead of subsidizing fossil fuel industry???
What if America had a president who questioned the idea “..a child is appreciated for what he will be…A great consumer some day, the quicker we get them to go out and buy, the better.”??? [DVD: “Won’t You Be MY Neighbor”]
Fred Rogers: “I think that those who would try to make you feel less than who you are, I think that’s the greatest evil.” [DVD: “Won’t You Be MY Neighbor?”]
What if America had a president who said: “I like you as you are”??? Instead of demonizing immigrants, gays, women, “disloyal” people???
What if, under President Rogers, people stopped deliberately hurting others by spreading false rumors, by posting fake images, by falsely slandering others; AND – that people were ASHAMED to have done such things to innocent others???
What if America had a president who didn’t do things for people because it would help him, but because it was the right thing to do???
What if, under President Rogers, America had a government that actually enforced the REQUIREMENTS of the Constitution’s Preamble: “..a more perfect Union..establish Justice..insure domestic Tranquility..promote the general Welfare..”??? Especially – “..promote the general Welfare..”
What if America had a president who said: “Love is the root of everything.”??? [DVD: “Won’t You Be MY Neighbor?”]
What if America had a president, who when Black people were being denied rights to use swimming pools, had Black Officer Clemmons share his wading pool and towel on live TV??? [DVD: “Won’t You Be MY Neighbor?”]
What if, under President Rogers, America actually honored and enforced the words of the Declaration of Independence: “..all Men are created equal..endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights..among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness..??? Most especially “..the Pursuit of Happiness..” – on YOUR terms [as long as you don’t hurt others] – AND – the U.S, Government tried to make this possible???
What if America had a president who said “Love is what keeps us together and afloat.” – instead of stoking hatred and grievances based on falsehoods??? [DVD: “Won’t You Be MY Neighbor”?]
What if the 2017-18 and 2019-2020 Congresses, listening to what Americans said they want, actually enacted policies and programs that honored those wishes:
1] an end to the religious war on people’s reproductive Constitutional rights and freedoms – so that trained medical people, NOT politicians made life-and-death health care decisions?
2] and end to the religious war on LGTPQ Plus people. [see John 13:34]
3] strict controls on guns: mandatory background checks [89%]; banning assault weapons [63%]; banning high-capacity magazines [64%]; nationwide data base on tracking gun sales [60%]; red flag laws and more.
4] a rational immigration system that both protects American sovereignty with an orderly process, and allows qualified immigrants.
5]. democratic voting procedures: laws preventing state legislators overturning elections [69%]; universal vote-by-mail [60%]; make it easier to vote; ending gerrymandering.
6]. providing Medicare for all Americans [69%] – and, an end to price-gouging by drug manufacturers; an end to profit-taking in medical care over patient care.
7]. racial justice: 86% agree racism is a problem; 87% say books discussing race or slavery should never be banned.
8]. raise taxes on the wealthiest 2% [71%] – and – end the tax loopholes used by the top 2%.
9]. eliminate the Social Security income tax cap.
10]. increase public supports like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
11] overturn the Supreme Court’s “Citizens United” decision; strictly regulate or sharply reduce/eliminate effects of “campaign donations” on all levels of government.
12]. roll back the Trump 2017 tax cuts; impose a 4% surtax on income over $5 million; impose a 3% surtax on corporate income over $100 million
If YOU say Fred Rogers could never be elected president – what does that say about America, about US???
What does it say about America – IF – we think a man who devoted his energies/career to helping children grow and feel good about themselves – could NOT become president???
What does it say about America – IF – we wouldn’t vote for a man who GENUINELY believed “Love is what keeps us together and afloat.”???
[note: the above polling work included 2022 efforts by Pew Research Center, National Election Studies, Gallup, ABC/Washington Post, CBS/New York Times, CNN. Steve Corbin, 9/9/22 New York Times: Americans agree on about 150 issues – including the 12 above. In other words, “division” is being manipulated for political gain]
With Justice For All 