From: Tom Schafer
Columbus
At a rally in Ohio on Sept. 21, Donald Trump said COVID-19 "affects virtually nobody."
I would like Messrs. Trump, Mike Pence, Greg Pence, Mike Braun and Todd Young to know that my mother, Constance Hart Pruitt (Schafer), was somebody.
Her family has lived in this part of Indiana for over 200 years, and she was very proud that several of her ancestors fought to form this nation. Her entire life was devoted to family and community service; she was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
In late March, with no family members allowed by her side, my mom passed away — most likely from COVID-19. She was interred at Garland Brook cemetery in May less than 100 feet from her great, great, grandfather, Joseph Hart, who fought in the American Revolution.
My mom voted for all the above-mentioned politicians believing that she was electing strong leaders for our country and community. She also believed that, first and foremost, the duty of any elected leader is to keep your people safe.
In February, these "leaders" were aware of the severity of COVID-19 and stuck their heads in the sand. My mom died listening to Trump claim COVID-19 is a Democratic hoax. According to Trump himself, he knew this virus was a serious threat to our nation well before my mom died.
Luckily, my mom was not alive in April to hear Mike promise the country this pandemic will be behind us by Memorial Day. Or see him, last week, disparage a former COVID-19 Task Force member as another one of the administration’s disgruntled employees — her only crime trying to save American lives.
Fortunately, my mom isn’t alive to watch the Pence brothers and Trump continue to willfully risk American lives by getting their followers to attend indoor rallies where mask wearing is not encouraged.
Where was Greg when his opponent, Jeannine Lake, rolled up her sleeves and donated antibodies to save Hoosier lives? Greg was in a crowded indoor venue in Tulsa, not wearing a mask along with Mike and Trump. When I watched the Tulsa rally, I was afraid I was watching the beginning of a slow motion Jonestown (1978 Guyana) that would play out until the election. Herman Cain died from COVID-19 after attending this rally, yet Greg, continues to help organize and attend these events.
Why do Braun and Young continue to allow this pandemic response travesty to continue? Unfortunately, Braun and Young are not up for reelection this year and, currently, to the best of my knowledge, there are no provisions in Indiana law to recall them.
The damage the Pence brothers and Trump, enabled by Braun and Young, have wrought upon our nation, for their own personal greed and self-aggrandizement, must end. So please start voting as soon as possible, Oct. 6, for real leaders who will, first and foremost, provide for the safety of our citizenry.
My mother, Constance Hart Pruitt (Schafer), was somebody — along with over 205,000 of our fellow Americans that have died, including over 3,500 Hoosiers.
Editor’s note: This letter is paid political content. It is not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.
