In 1868 British philosopher John Stuart Mill coined the term “Dystopia”: 1. An imaginary place or state in which the condition of life is extremely bad, as from deprivation, oppression, or terror (Free Dictionary). 2. A work describing such a place or state: “dystopias such as ‘Brave New World’” (Times Literary Supplement). 3. The Republican National Convention. OK, I admit I made the last one up. But if you listened to the speakers, you’d think the apocalypse was upon us and Donald J. Trump (The “J” must stand for Jesus) was our only salvation. I think Rudy (9/11) Giuliani must have seen the four horsemen on his way to Cleveland.

As I drive around Rifle, Silt, New Castle and all the other cities on the Western Slope, I am constantly on guard for terrorists, robbers, rapists, muggers and all kinds of evil nasty stuff.

Not! The facts tend to get in the way of myths. Crime is down in the U.S. to a level lower than the glorious Reagan years the GOP yearns for. In 2013 the violent crime rate was the lowest since 1970. (Brennen Center)

The Great Bush Recession that preceded the Obama presidency saw the crash of all the stock markets, the auto industry, the housing industry and employment. Eight years later U.S. stock markets are at historic highs. The auto industry has GM and Ford one and two in the world, with Chrysler at number four. GM had its highest profit in history. (CNN Money) U.S. home sales have been bolstered by historically low interest rates. The average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 3.57 percent in June, down from 3.98 percent in June 2015, according to Freddie Mac. (Wall Street Journal) New home sales have exceeded pre-2008 levels. (NBC News)

Before Obama took office, the private sector job losses were the worst since December 1974. Job losses exceeded 3.6 million jobs since the beginning of 2008. In 2016, June was the 73rd straight recorded month of private sector job growth (NPR). As the GOP likes to say, “Thanks Obama!” If the president had an “R” after his name, the GOP would be lobbying for his face on Mount Rushmore.

We know who controlled the government from 2001 to 2009. The GOP. They gave us the Great Recession. Now after a very tough battle against obstructionism from day one, they want you to believe that the current administration has let us down.

Many polls show major support for the Trumpster by white males with a high school education or less. If they believe that they will benefit economically if he is elected, remember this quote from the debate in November of last year: “Our wages are too high.” (Donald J. Trump) John Stuart Mill has another great quote: “Although it is not true that all conservatives are stupid people, it is true that most stupid people are conservative.”

Craig S. Chisesi

Rifle