• Investing
  • Stock
Round Table Thoughts
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Home Economy As Kamala gets coronated, Chicago gets democracy stress test
Economy

As Kamala gets coronated, Chicago gets democracy stress test

by August 24, 2024
by August 24, 2024 0 comment
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

One day, airports will figure out a civilized method for catching an Uber after your flight, but that day was not last Sunday at O’Hare as a maelstrom of confused travelers stared into an endless stream of gray Toyota Camrys. Having made facial contact with my driver and exchanged names, I settled in for a bumper to bumper drive to my hotel and we began chatting.

‘Do you mind if I ask what your accent is?’ I queried. ‘I travel a lot but I can’t place it.’

‘Siberian,’ he laughed. ‘I know it’s confusing, I look Chinese and sound Russian. I hit the green card lottery.’

It turns out that the green card lottery is a few select spots for his area that he applied for on a whim and won. Four years ago he arrived, speaking no English, made his way to Chicago, and is thrilled to be here.

‘There is no democracy in Russia,’ he said. ‘Putin is dictator, and if you want a car like this you have to have a good job and that takes connections. It’s completely different.’

He doesn’t travel back to see his parents anymore, for fear of being arrested or conscripted.

It was a sobering way to enter Chicago on the week of the Democratic National Convention, and I wondered if the people here who hit the ‘born in America lottery,’ had quite such a sense of how special that is.

Chicago being Chicago, I mostly met Democrats, but not only Democrats. On my first night, I met a guy in a white and gold MAGA hat who loves trolling his hometown by wearing it. There are also many types of Democrats with their own priorities.

Several of the bartenders and hotel employees I spoke to emphasized unions. Most belonged to Local 1 of the Service Employees International Union, and they are worried about Donald Trump’s positions on the labor issue, and unclear where Harris stands on everything else. These were not woke progressives, and they also emphasized the difference between private and public unions.

‘We know the business,’ one told me. ‘We know if we ask too high, the business will shut down, the government has endless money.’

For these workers, as for so many others, their vote for president is directly tied to their jobs and bank accounts; for others, loftier notions take center stage.

One millennial couple I met was on their way to a concert sponsored by the DNC. Both Harris supporters, their political lifestyles were a bit different. In the dim-lit Chicago steakhouse, I asked if they had any friends voting for Trump. She didn’t, but he had a more rural upbringing and did.

‘We can talk politics,’ he told me of his friends back home. ‘It doesn’t get too heated, usually. We all try to listen.’ 

For these voters, in the upper middle class and beyond, the kitchen table politics of President Joe Biden’s composite financially struggling dad are not the core issues. They talk about abortion, and saving democracy, and Trump being horrible.

Another guy I met who was traveling for work and has a job in sports didn’t hold out too much hope that either side was much better than the other. ‘I don’t know, man, I’m not sure it matters much,’ he sighed, not angry, maybe a bit exasperated by it all.

Without exception, everyone I spoke to who was not a delegate told me that, of course, Harris should do interviews and press conferences. But as those who were delegates were quick to point out, it is not a dealbreaker for them, Trump, after all, being Trump.

On my Uber ride back to the airport on Wednesday, I was driven by another recent immigrant to our country, this time from Kuwait. ‘Why you vote?’ he bluntly asked me, referring to the convention. ‘The one with the most votes doesn’t even win.’

On this shorter midday jaunt, we talked about the electoral college, why every state has two senators, and all the other oddities of our republic.

‘In Kuwait, sometimes the prince gives us democracy, sometimes he takes it away,’ he said. ‘What’s the difference?’ 

It was clear that I wasn’t going to convince him, and I realized that there is no empirical way to prove the superiority of democracy, the dignity that comes with casting a ballot to have a say, being part of the citizenry at whose pleasure our politicians serve. 

My first immigrant driver got it, my second didn’t. And in between, in the Windy City, everyone had their own unique take on what it means to live and vote in our democratic republic. 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
You Might Also Like
  • Trump says Pelosi ‘probably a little bit smarter’ than Nikki Haley, claims he ‘purposely’ mixes them up
  • Obama’s AG weighs in on whether Biden should pardon Trump
  • Nikki Haley touts foreign policy experience, understanding of what ‘real national security is’
  • Biden campaign reports $97M in Q4 of 2023, touts ‘historic’ $117M cash-on-hand on day of Iowa caucuses
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

previous post
Venezuelans will keep fighting for democracy. They have no choice
next post
Fed Chair Powell says ‘time has come’ for interest rate cut

You may also like

Hunter Biden faces questions ahead of president’s primetime address: ‘It’s...

July 24, 2024

McCarthy GOP primary challenger praises eight Republicans who ousted him...

October 31, 2023

Argentina election showdown as libertarian outsider looks to take down...

November 18, 2023

Retail Sales Post Broad-based Declines in November

December 15, 2022

Biden says Dems, GOP ‘remain committed’ to bipartisan solutions following...

October 5, 2023

Kamala Harris claps to Puerto Rico protest song, stops once...

March 25, 2024

White House website praises lifetime Supreme Court appointments as Biden...

July 30, 2024

Hamas brutality on Oct 7 ‘can never justify’ the ‘humanitarian...

December 10, 2023

Trump denies report claiming Nikki Haley is ‘under consideration’ for...

May 12, 2024

Pro-lifers rejoice as Planned Parenthood announces national staffing cuts

May 25, 2023

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • Breakouts, Momentum & Moving Averages: 10 Must-See Stock Charts Right Now

      May 31, 2025
    • Leadership Rotation Could Confirm Corrective Phase

      May 30, 2025
    • Run Your Stock Portfolio Like a Pro Sports Team

      May 30, 2025
    • U.S. foreign tax bill sends jitters across Wall Street

      May 30, 2025
    • Amazon taps Xbox co-founder to lead new team developing ‘breakthrough’ consumer products

      May 30, 2025

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be...

      June 27, 2024 2,765 views
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as...

      August 9, 2024 2,472 views
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese...

      June 25, 2024 2,451 views
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful...

      July 10, 2024 2,432 views
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility...

      August 29, 2024 2,308 views

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,106)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,581)

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be revived under new House GOP bill

      June 27, 2024
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as Harris camp blasts ‘lying’ critics

      August 9, 2024
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese businesses to Delaware: ‘Longtime friends’

      June 25, 2024
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful of Chinese spy threats

      July 10, 2024
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility that collaborated with ‘Chinese military company’

      August 29, 2024

    Latest News

    • Breakouts, Momentum & Moving Averages: 10 Must-See Stock Charts Right...

      May 31, 2025
    • Leadership Rotation Could Confirm Corrective Phase

      May 30, 2025
    • Run Your Stock Portfolio Like a Pro Sports Team

      May 30, 2025

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,106)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,581)

    Disclaimer: RoundTableThoughts.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 RoundTableThoughts.com. All Rights Reserved.

    Round Table Thoughts
    • Investing
    • Stock
    Round Table Thoughts
    • Economy
    • Editor’s Pick

    Read alsox

    WATCH: Biden ignores reporters when pressed...

    December 9, 2023

    Iowa state Senator support for Trump...

    July 14, 2023

    Biden administration searching for Chinese malware...

    July 30, 2023
    Sign In

    Keep me signed in until I sign out

    Forgot your password?

    Password Recovery

    A new password will be emailed to you.

    Have received a new password? Login here