Message of Contempt – Commentary, Michael Morse

It’s bad enough that advertising has invaded my paid streaming universe, but what makes it worse is political ads. And worst of all are the people in those ads beginning their message with a predictable Trump is my boogeyman tirade.

Fighting Trump is the battle cry for the Democrats who have entered into the election arena. Resisting ICE is usually next. Our candidates for Governor, Attorney General, US Congress and anything that involves convincing people to support “them” and not “those others” believe it is a given that the people with the power to put them in office live in the same anti Trump bubble as their peers.

We do not.

40% of Rhode Islanders who voted voted for Trump in 2024. Some of those 40% would vote Republican no matter who was on the ballot, but most are independent voters who simply vote for the person they believe has the best interests of our country, our families and ourselves at heart. A lot of us remember previous presidential administrations, and through the lens of history understand that through all of the bias, propaganda and gamesmanship nothing much changes no matter who sits in the White House. It’s the politicians in the trenches of state, city and local government that affect us most.

In all likelihood one of the campaigns that follow their focus group’s advice, and rely on talking points from the DNC will emerge victorious after they beat each other up in the primaries and then begin attacking their opponents on the other side. They will paint anybody not a Democrat as a Trump supporter. Truth is, most people who voted for Trump did so because the alternative was irreparably flawed. The mythological Trump Supporter is actually one of us, a person not mired in the endless ideological battle between my way and the wrong way, just a citizen who takes voting seriously and will use what little power the ballot holds to support the person whose vision for the future most aligns with theirs.

They are not the enemy. Mocking them in political advertising is no way to lead. Showing contempt to 40% of the electorate accomplishes nothing. Catering to a base that is already convinced that the Man in the White House is responsible for their misery is disrespectful to all of us.

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Michael Morse, [email protected], a monthly contributor is a retired Captain with the Providence Fire Department.

Michael Morse spent 23 years as a firefighter/EMT with the Providence Fire Department before retiring in 2013 as Captain, Rescue Co. 5. He is an author of several books, most offering fellow firefighter/EMTs and the general population alike a poignant glimpse into one person’s journey through life, work and hope for the future. He is a Warwick resident.