MYGA

by Thomas Greco, Publisher

Before you read this column, please look down to the lower part of this page and consider making a donation in memory of Keith Steven Krehel. That is the best Christmas gift I can think of.

Several months ago, I wrote about how people should bring their grocery receipt when they go to vote and then vote based on that. It sure looks like they did. I won’t get into a long rap about Trump or Harris. I’ll just say I voted for Trump all three times he ran. Why? In 2016, my business was treading water. I needed a change, and I said so right in these pages. Turns out, by the end of 2019, my business was in the best shape it had ever been. Since then, business has tanked, and we have had to diversify (and work harder than ever) just to survive. So, once again, it was time for a change. Hopefully, history repeats itself.

But I can’t end without mentioning how Donald Trump drives people crazy. It’s not normal. To let someone who has nothing to do with your actual life rule your emotions is absolutely insane. Honestly, I cannot believe how several family members and friends have let this election impact their lives and decision making. I’ll give you one example.

I have a friend who has gone nuts. We met back in middle school 50 years ago. We hung out all the time, playing basketball and swimming in my backyard. We were teammates in basketball and the middle linebacker combo in football. We have talked endlessly over the decades about the double blitz fumble recovery that he returned for a touchdown. Great kid. Good man. Spent the last 40 years in the military and as a teacher all around the country. Yet, we always found a way to stay in touch. Last year, we got together with our old crew to visit with a dying friend. It was like we were all 15 again.

I have never been one to post political views on social media, but apparently my buddy likes to. I had never really paid attention until about a month before the election, so you know I just had to bust his chops while we discussed getting healthy.

“I keep trying to get Ozempic, but the frigging insurance won’t cover it. They say I have to be diabetic. They want me to get sicker before they give me the fix. See, that’s why we need to make America…GOTCHA! LOL.” He didn’t LOL.

“I’m issue-specific regardless of the party, but my hatred for Trump is real, never-ending and totally justified.”

“No politics, my friend, we can agree to disagree.”

“You opened the door. Trump is a racist. His history of racist acts and behavior is something I can’t ignore. There is NOTHING about him or his agenda that is intended to benefit me or my family.”

“Not my job to defend him or any politician. All I can do is look and see when my business is doing best. That’s what affects my vote.” 

He gave me a thumbs up and disappeared. I was a little taken aback. He never was the type to be that extreme. 

I hadn’t spoken with him, but then on the day after the election, he posted a meme that said, “If you voted for Trump, I mean this in the most disrespectful way possible: I do not want anything to do with you.” And he added, “If you think I’m taking this personally, you’re right.”

Seriously? My friend (or should I say former friend) of 50 years is 64 years old! If an election is worth giving up on friends and families, maybe it’s time to grow up and Make Yourself Good Again.

Regardless…Merry Christmas to my old friend and to all of you!

Want more? Check out the December 2024 issue of New Jersey Automotive!