on j.d. vance: trump's new bestie or democracy's worst nightmare?
hillbilly elegy author turned maga cheerleader
hey there, political junkies and casual observers! 🗳️✨
so, trump's picked his running mate, and it's none other than senator j.d. vance from ohio. if you're scratching your head thinking, "j.d. who?", don't worry - you're not alone. let's get into this spicy political mejunje and see what we're dealing with, shall we?
who the fuck is jd vance?
the tea: trump's tapped ohio senator j.d. vance as his vice president pick for 2024. yeah, that j.d. vance - the "hillbilly elegy" guy who went from trump critic to trump cheerleader faster than you can say "political opportunism."
why it matters: this choice signals trump's doubling down on his base and his "anti-establishment" brand. it's like he's saying, "look, i found a younger, more eloquent version of myself!" (scary thought, right?)
the deets:
vance, 39, is a first-term senator from ohio. he's like the new kid on the political block who somehow scored an invite to the cool kids' table.
born james donald bowman in middletown, ohio, (he’s changed his name multiple times) vance's early life was marked by poverty and family instability - themes he later explored in his memoir.
he served in the marine corps and is a yale law school graduate.
he's best known for his memoir "hillbilly elegy," which tried to explain trump's appeal to rural america. spoiler alert: it's… complicated.
vance went from calling trump "reprehensible" in 2016 to full-on maga mode by 2022. talk about a glow-down…
vance's political evolution: a deep dive
let's break down vance's journey from trump critic to vp pick:
pre-2016: vance was a self-described "never trump" republican.
2016-2020: he kept a low political profile, focusing on his venture capital career.
2021: vance announced his senate run, embracing trump's policies.
2022: won ohio's senate race with trump's endorsement.
uncommon insight: vance's political 180 mirrors the broader shift in the gop, from traditional conservatism to trumpism. it's like watching a political version of "invasion of the body snatchers."
some of vance's greatest hits (or misses, if you ask me)
abortion rights: vance is staunchly opposed to abortion, even in cases of rape or incest. he believes life begins at conception and has compared abortion to slavery. because nothing says "small government" like controlling people's bodies, right? gotta love republican freedom.
lgbtq+ rights: vance is no friend to the queer community. he's against same-sex marriage and has been vocal about his opposition to trans rights. he's opposed federal protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. he also defended the “groomer” campaign against democrats for their support of lgbtq people. it's like he took a time machine back to the 1950s and decided to stay there.
trans issues: vance has been particularly hostile towards the trans community. he's introduced legislation at the federal level with marjorie taylor greene to prevent gender affirming care and make it a federal class c felony.
education: vance has called for dismantling the department of education, supports school vouchers, and has dismissed gun violence in schools as "fake problems". because who needs education, safety, and equity in schools when you have fox news?
immigration: vance is a proponent of the "great replacement" theory, a racist conspiracy theory that claims there's a deliberate effort to replace white americans with immigrants. this dangerous ideology has been cited as motivation for multiple mass shootings and hate crimes. yep, the kind of rhetoric that makes your racist uncle foam at the mouth and stirs violence.
foreign policy: vance has criticized u.s. support for ukraine, aligning with trump's "america first" ideology. this stance effectively makes it easier for russia to win and advance its interests, undermining democracy and global stability.
j.d. vance's positions are a far cry from the inclusive, progressive values that i hold dear. his stances on abortion, lgbtq+ rights, education, immigration, foreign policy, and everything else are not only regressive but also dangerous. it's crucial that we continue to call out these harmful views and fight for a more just, equitable society for all.
project 2025: vance's dystopian dream
so, vance is all in on project 2025, which sounds like a sci-fi movie but is actually a right-wing blueprint for a trump second term. here's the lowdown:
it calls for gutting the federal workforce. because nothing says efficiency like mass unemployment, right?
it wants to "deconstruct the administrative state." translation: bye-bye, pesky regulations that protect things like, oh, i don't know, the environment and workers' rights.
it aims to prosecute journalists and activists. freedom of the press? never heard of her.
it proposes using the military for domestic law enforcement. because nothing says "land of the free" like tanks rolling down main street.
hot take: project 2025 is like if "the handmaid's tale" and "1984" had a baby, and that baby was raised by your conspiracy theorist cousin who thinks the earth is flat.
what's next in the vance-trump saga?
expect to see a lot more of vance everywhere, especially on fox news (shocking, i know);
democrats will likely dig into vance's past flip-flops faster than rupaul in a quick-change challenge;
the rust belt just became 2024's hottest political battleground (move over, florida!);
watch for vance to try to soften his image while still appealing to the maga base. it's like trying to pet a porcupine - tricky and potentially painful.
pop quiz: what do you think is likely to happen now?
(if you picked 3, call me - i've got some lottery tickets to sell you)
look, whether you think vance is the gop's rising star or just another political chameleon, one thing's for sure - 2024 just got a whole lot more interesting. and by interesting, i mean "where's my emotional support white claw?" levels of stressful. i know i’ll be looking forward to the harris v. vance debate… that one should be a banger.
stay tuned, stay informed, and for the love of all things holy, please vote.
democracy is like a plant - it needs constant care, attention, and occasionally, a good sweep out of bad politicians.
hasta la próxima, mis politicos!
edgard🌈
p.s. if you made it this far without rolling your eyes or throwing your phone, congratulations! you're officially ready for the 2024 election cycle. may the odds be ever in our favor. 🌈✊🏽
Thank you so much for all this info. Very f’n scary :(