Depression, Destruction and Death

Brought to you by the Left.

You cannot, in good conscience, vote Democrat and call yourself a Christian.

If you are walking in the light of Christ, you are simply rejecting all that is meaningful and sacred to God by voting Democrat. In every major election issue, their polices and consequences yield depression, destruction and death. Here are the facts:

1. Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Reform: Democrat calls for police reform and reduced law enforcement budgets can lead to a rise in crime. For instance, proposals to “defund the police” result in understaffed police forces and less effective crime prevention, leading to increased violence and societal instability. Cities with strong Democrat leadership have seen spikes in violent crime, which they attribute to relaxed law enforcement policies.

Examples: Drug Trafficking and Fentanyl Deaths

• Fentanyl Trafficking: Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is responsible for a significant portion of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. In 2021, synthetic opioids like fentanyl accounted for approximately 71,000 of the 107,000 overdose deaths in the U.S., making it a leading cause of overdose fatalities.

• The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reports that much of the fentanyl entering the U.S. is smuggled across the southern border by drug cartels. While some drugs are carried by individuals crossing the border, much of the fentanyl trafficked into the U.S. comes through legal ports of entry, hidden in vehicles or cargo.

• Increased Seizures: Fentanyl seizures have surged in recent years. In 2022, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized more than 14,000 pounds of fentanyl, a stark increase from previous years. This increase indicates both a higher supply of fentanyl entering the U.S. and more effective enforcement efforts at the border.

Crime Rates and Border Security

• Illegal Immigration and Crime: There is a contentious debate over whether undocumented immigrants contribute to higher crime rates in the U.S. Studies on this issue often reach conflicting conclusions, but many academic studies suggest that immigrants, both legal and undocumented, generally have lower crime rates than native-born Americans.

• However, border regions do experience significant crime tied to human and drug smuggling. According to the U.S. Border Patrol, in 2022, CBP made 2.76 million apprehensions of individuals crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally. Among these, there were thousands of cases where individuals had criminal backgrounds, including gang affiliations and violent crimes.

• Cartel Violence: Drug cartels operating along the U.S.-Mexico border are responsible for significant violence both in Mexico and the U.S. Cartel-related violence includes assassinations, kidnappings, and battles with law enforcement. These criminal organizations also control much of the drug trafficking into the U.S., exacerbating the drug overdose crisis, particularly in relation to fentanyl.

2. Immigration Policies: Democrat platforms advocate for more lenient immigration policies, including sanctuary cities and pathways to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. These policies undermine national security, strain social services, and lead to a rise in drug trafficking and human smuggling, contributing to destruction in communities and the economy. Increased illegal immigration depress wages for low-income workers, exacerbating poverty and social despair.

Examples: Human Trafficking

• Border and Human Trafficking: Human trafficking is a serious concern at the southern U.S. border. Trafficking for forced labor and sexual exploitation often involves vulnerable migrants who may be exploited by smugglers or cartels. According to a 2020 report from the U.S. State Department, traffickers frequently exploit migrants from Mexico and Central America, luring them with false promises of jobs or safety and then coercing them into sex work or forced labor.

• The National Human Trafficking Hotline received more than 10,000 reports of human trafficking cases in the U.S. in 2021. Many victims are migrants, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reports that human traffickers frequently exploit border crossings, taking advantage of weak security measures or overwhelmed immigration systems.

Over the past three years, there has been a significant increase in the number of individuals attempting to cross into the U.S. illegally. Since fiscal year 2021, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has reported over 7.5 million border encounters nationwide, with more than 6.2 million at the southwest border alone. These figures include apprehensions, expulsions, and individuals released into the U.S. pending immigration proceedings  .

Additionally, there were about 1.7 million “gotaways” — individuals who successfully evaded capture during this period. The surge in encounters is partially attributed to the expiration of Title 42 in May 2023, which previously allowed for expedited expulsions due to COVID-19 public health concerns .

The rise in illegal border crossings has also been accompanied by a sharp increase in drug trafficking, particularly fentanyl, which has contributed to the U.S. opioid crisis. In 2023 alone, CBP seized over 27,000 pounds of fentanyl at the southern border, enough to cause mass fatalities if distributed widely .

These statistics highlight the ongoing challenges at the U.S. border related to illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and public safety concerns.

3. Economic Policies and Social Welfare: Democrat focus on welfare programs create over reliance on government assistance leading to a culture of dependency, disincentivizing work and innovation. This results in economic stagnation, fewer job opportunities, and increased national debt, ultimately leading to a more depressed economic outlook and diminished individual motivation.

Examples: The U.S. economy in 2024 is experiencing mixed signals, with some indicators pointing to challenges like persistent inflation and economic slowdown, while others show moderate resilience.

1. Inflation: Despite some reports that inflation is moderating, it remains elevated. As of late 2023 and into 2024, inflation is projected to hover around 3.1% to 3.5%. While this is a reduction from the 2022 highs of over 6%, inflation pressures, particularly in wage-sensitive sectors and services, continue to be a concern. The disinflationary trend is largely driven by cooling vehicle prices and rents, but core inflation, which excludes volatile items like food and energy, remains sticky due to rising labor costs  .

2. Economic Growth: Growth is slowing considerably. After a strong third quarter in 2023 where GDP grew by 4.9%, forecasts suggest GDP growth will slow to around 1.3% in 2024. This deceleration reflects the impact of high interest rates, tightening credit conditions, and slower consumer demand, all of which point toward an economy under strain  .

3. Unemployment: The unemployment rate has inched up from pandemic lows, reaching 3.7% by the end of 2023, and is expected to rise further to around 4.2% in 2024. The labor market is softening as businesses face higher costs and sluggish revenue growth, which may lead to job losses, particularly in sectors sensitive to interest rate hikes .

4. Health and Social Policies: Policies promoting expanded access to abortion lead to moral and ethical decline, resulting in the devaluation of life. On the healthcare front, Democrat support for universal healthcare or Medicare for All leads to higher taxes and reduced healthcare quality, contributing to economic depression and degraded healthcare outcomes.

Examples: Abortion. Medically speaking, abortions can vary in method depending on the stage of pregnancy and specific circumstances. Here’s a breakdown of common procedures and their associated impacts:

1. Medication Abortion (Up to 10 Weeks)

• Procedure: This involves taking two medications, mifepristone and misoprostol. Mifepristone blocks the hormone progesterone, which is necessary to sustain the pregnancy. Misoprostol causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy.

• Physical Effects: The process usually leads to heavy cramping, bleeding, nausea, and tissue passage. Some women describe the process as extremely painful and traumatic due to heavy bleeding and cramping over several hours.

• Medical Impact: Medically, this induces a miscarriage, which can feel physically and emotionally intense. The body expels the baby, sometimes while the woman is at home.

2. Aspiration or Vacuum Abortion (Up to 14-16 Weeks)

• Procedure: In a vacuum aspiration, the cervix is dilated, and a suction device is used to remove the baby and placenta from the uterus. It typically takes 10-15 minutes.

• Physical Effects: The woman is usually awake, though numbed locally or sedated. The procedure can involve cramping and discomfort as the uterus is emptied through suction.

• Medical Impact: Medically, it involves the removal of the baby, and depending on the stage of development, the process can be more traumatic, as some parts of the baby may need to be broken apart before removal.

3. Dilation and Evacuation (D&E) (Second Trimester)

• Procedure: This is a more invasive procedure performed typically between 14 and 24 weeks. The cervix is dilated, and surgical instruments (like forceps) are used to dismember and remove the baby from the uterus in pieces.

• Physical Effects: This procedure is more intense, often performed under heavier sedation or anesthesia. It can involve cramping, bleeding, and sometimes the emotional distress of knowing the baby is dismembered.

• Medical Impact: Medically, this involves the use of forceps to remove the baby piece by piece, as it may be too large to remove intact at this stage. The baby is disarticulated, and parts are removed through the cervix.

4. Dilation and Extraction (D&X or Partial-Birth Abortion)

• Procedure: Rarely used, this method is for late-term abortions (typically after 20 weeks). The cervix is dilated, the baby is partially delivered, and the skull is collapsed before full removal. This method is controversial and was banned in the U.S. in most cases by the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003.

• Physical Effects: This is a more invasive procedure that involves significant physical discomfort and risks, typically done under anesthesia.

• Medical Impact: The baby is partially delivered, and its skull is punctured and collapsed to allow for removal. This is considered a highly controversial and traumatic procedure.

5. Emotional and Psychological Effects

• Many women report significant emotional and psychological distress after undergoing an abortion, particularly later-term procedures. This can include feelings of guilt, regret, depression, and in some cases, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), particularly if the abortion involves more graphic surgical methods like D&E or D&X.

6. Medical Risks

• Immediate Risks: Risks include infection, hemorrhage, damage to the cervix or uterus, and incomplete abortion (where parts of the fetus or placenta remain in the uterus, leading to further medical complications).

• Long-term Risks: Repeated abortions, particularly surgical ones, can increase the risk of complications in future pregnancies, including preterm birth or difficulty conceiving.

The graphic nature of second-trimester abortions (such as D&E) can be especially jarring because the fetus may be well-developed at this stage, and the dismemberment or partial delivery can make the procedure particularly brutal.

5. Environmental Regulations: Heavy-handed environmental regulations can stifle industries, particularly those reliant on fossil fuels. This leads to job losses, economic contraction in affected regions, and increased financial hardship. The emphasis on green energy, while well-intentioned, is prematurely implemented and causing disruption in sectors that millions of people rely on for employment.

Examples: A clear example of how heavy-handed environmental regulations can stifle industries, particularly those reliant on fossil fuels, is the impact of climate policies on coal mining in the United States. Over the past decade, several regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, such as the Clean Power Plan and tighter EPA emissions standards, have significantly impacted coal production.

Impact on the Coal Industry

• Job Losses: Between 2011 and 2021, coal mining jobs in the U.S. fell from around 90,000 to under 40,000, largely due to the shift toward cleaner energy sources and stringent environmental regulations that made coal less competitive. Communities in states like West Virginia, Kentucky, and Wyoming, where coal has historically been a major economic driver, have been hit particularly hard, with widespread unemployment and financial hardship as mines closed  .

• Economic Contraction: Coal regions in the U.S. have experienced economic contraction as power plants have been forced to close or switch to natural gas, solar, or wind power to meet new emissions targets. This shift, while beneficial for the environment, has been economically disruptive, as many of these communities are heavily reliant on fossil fuels for their livelihoods .

• Premature Implementation of Green Energy: While green energy alternatives like wind and solar are expanding, critics argue that they are not yet reliable enough to fully replace fossil fuels, especially in regions heavily dependent on traditional energy industries. The infrastructure and jobs to support green energy have not fully materialized in many of these areas, leading to significant economic dislocation.

6. Cultural and Social Policies: The Democrat platform’s emphasis on progressive social policies, including gender and identity politics, leads to division and social unrest. These policies encourage cultural fragmentation and undermine traditional societal structures, leading to confusion, alienation, and a sense of loss among certain segments of the population, which can contribute to widespread depression and societal decline.

Example: The removal of parental consent for transgender surgeries—such as gender-affirming surgeries for minors—has generated significant debate. Proponents argue that it supports transgender youth in accessing timely medical interventions that align with their gender identity, but critics are concerned about the psychological, social, and medical implications, particularly when such decisions are made without parental guidance.

Effects of Removing Parental Consent for Transgender Surgeries

1. Medical Risks and Consequences:

• Irreversible Procedures: Gender-affirming surgeries, including mastectomies, genital reconstruction, and hormone therapies, often involve irreversible changes. Critics argue that minors may lack the maturity to fully understand the long-term consequences of these procedures, especially without parental involvement. Complications such as infertility, loss of sexual function, and other health risks, including complications from surgery and lifelong dependence on hormone replacement, are significant concerns  .

• Lack of Long-term Data: There is still limited long-term data on the outcomes of gender-affirming surgeries performed on minors, raising concerns about the adequacy of consent processes without parental oversight. Some medical professionals caution that minors may change their minds about their gender identity as they grow older, which makes irreversible surgeries a critical point of concern .

2. Psychological and Social Impact:

• Impact on Family Dynamics: Removing parental consent can create rifts within families, especially when parents feel excluded from their child’s medical decisions. Parental involvement is often viewed as crucial for supporting a minor’s emotional and mental well-being, and many argue that excluding parents could lead to strained relationships or isolation of the child .

• Identity Confusion: Critics suggest that removing safeguards like parental consent may increase the likelihood of rushing into decisions, potentially exacerbating feelings of confusion rather than resolving them. Adolescence is a time of identity exploration, and some argue that medical interventions during this period may prevent a more natural exploration of gender identity that might resolve without surgery .

Gender Confusion and Broader Societal Effects

1. Increased Reports of Regret:

• Although many individuals who undergo gender-affirming surgeries report satisfaction, there are cases of detransitioning, where individuals later regret their decisions. This issue becomes more concerning when young individuals are involved, as they may not fully comprehend the permanence of the procedures .

• Some detransitioners have spoken out about the lack of thorough psychological evaluation and time to explore their gender identity before being fast-tracked into surgery, highlighting the importance of careful, guided decision-making .

2. Gender Dysphoria and Identity Exploration:

• Adolescents naturally go through phases of identity exploration, and some argue that the promotion of gender-affirming treatments might encourage individuals to identify as transgender when they are still in a fluid phase of identity formation. Removing parental oversight could mean less opportunity for young people to explore these feelings without rushing into medical interventions .

3. Psychological Outcomes and Mental Health:

• Gender dysphoria can be distressing for young people, and lack of parental involvement in the treatment process might exacerbate feelings of isolation or mental health issues. While many believe that early intervention through surgery or hormones can improve mental health outcomes for transgender youth, others argue that non-surgical support (such as counseling and social transition) should be explored first, especially in the absence of parental consent.

Conclusion:

1. Criminal Justice Reform: Democrat policies, such as reducing law enforcement budgets and calls to “defund the police,” have led to increased crime, drug trafficking (especially fentanyl), and societal instability.

2. Immigration Policies: Democrats’ lenient immigration stance, including support for sanctuary cities and open borders, contribute to human trafficking, drug smuggling, and economic challenges.

3. Economic and Social Welfare: Democrat economic policies, particularly those focused on welfare, are seen as fostering dependence on government aid, discouraging work, and damaging the economy through inflation and unemployment.

4. Health and Social Policies: The expansion of abortion access and universal healthcare under Democrat policies is leading to moral decline, higher taxes, and degraded healthcare.

5. Environmental Regulations: Stringent environmental rules harm industries like coal and cause job losses, while green energy initiatives are prematurely implemented and economically disruptive.

6. Cultural and Social Policies: Progressive policies related to gender identity, especially those involving parental consent for transgender surgeries, are causing social fragmentation, confusion, and increased depression in society.