Morning Coffee and News Alerts
It’s 7 AM. I’m sitting in my favorite corner café in Brooklyn, sipping a black coffee while scrolling through my iPad. Checking the news first thing in the morning has become a ritual, and with the election heating up, there’s no shortage of headlines. “Trump’s latest bombshell” or “Harris holds her ground at the debate”—it’s all over the screen.
As I listen to the chatter around me, it’s clear that politics is on everyone’s mind. In Brooklyn, most people lean liberal, but every now and then, you’ll catch someone defending the Republican side: “Democrats are going to raise our taxes,” or “The Biden administration has been a failure.” I keep sipping my coffee in silence, a little smirk creeping in—no need to argue, but I can’t help the irony.
Family Dinner and Awkward Political Conversations
6 PM rolls around, and my wife’s home from work, playing with our two boys in the living room. My eldest is 11, the youngest is 9, and both are getting grilled about the election at school. It’s become part of our dinner routine—our kids fire off the questions they heard during the day.
“Dad, why is Trump so famous?” my oldest asks.
“Well, put simply, he’s really good at grabbing attention. That’s why he’s famous. Whether that’s a good thing or not… well, that’s another story,” I reply, trying to figure out how best to explain Trump’s approach to an 11-year-old.
“What about Harris?” my youngest chimes in.
“She’s the vice president, and she wants to make America more equal.” Of course, the concept of equality might be a little hard for a 9-year-old to grasp, but I’m doing my best. Trying to teach kids the complexities of politics is a bit of a balancing act.
Trump’s Marathon, Harris’ Symphony
Watching Trump is like watching a long-distance runner. He stumbles, but always gets back up, relentlessly pushing forward. The thing is, the route he’s running isn’t clear to everyone, and a lot of people are wondering where exactly he’s headed. His supporters, though, seem convinced he’ll reach the finish line, no matter what obstacles are thrown in his way.
On the other hand, Harris seems more like a symphony conductor. She’s calm and composed, trying to orchestrate every note with precision and harmony. But a symphony needs an audience, and I’m not sure if America is in the mood to sit down and listen right now.
Thoughts from the Record Store on a Weekend
It’s Saturday afternoon, and I’m wandering through a vintage record store in the basement of a Brooklyn shop. As I flip through old records, I find myself temporarily forgetting about the election. Holding a ’60s album in my hands, I feel a wave of nostalgia for a supposedly simpler time. But then again, maybe that “simplicity” is just an illusion. America has always been in flux, always evolving amidst chaos.
“Finding a great politician is a lot like crate-digging for a good record,” I think to myself. It’s not easy. Some classics are obvious at first glance, but every now and then, you discover a hidden gem buried deep in the shelves. It takes patience, a sharp eye, and a bit of luck—just like this election.
Where Does America Go From Here?
As the election intensifies, I’ll continue to sit back and watch. Whether it’s spending time in a New York café, having dinner with my family, or digging through vinyl, it’s all part of the same picture. No matter who wins, America will keep moving forward.
I’m looking forward to Election Day. Whatever the outcome, this country will continue to move ahead—that’s the strength of America and the essence of our democracy.
