What Has America Done to “Deserve” a Choice Between Trump and Biden?

The sarcasm is appropriate.

The president bumbles along, says what he thinks without forethought and displays an apparent ignorance of America’s constitutional structure.

The former Vice-President’s utterances often display in public a looseness of expression which suggests, to use the medical term, the presence of “mild cognitive impairment” (early dementia).  And on other occasions, he expresses harsh opinions about others which supporters attribute to “mistakes”. 

Back to Donald Trump.  This past week he “commanded” reluctant governors to open up their states.  He neglected a detail of our national government.  The Constitution prescribes a federal system, along with limitations on the authority of the president.  The Republican Party standard bearer evidently didn’t know that until his staff informed him.  “Command” was then changed to “encourage”.

And Joe Biden?  His latest “mistake” was his view expressed to an African American interviewer that if a black person didn’t support him, given his civil rights record, “you ain’t black”.  (Ten percent of black voters chose Trump over Hillary Clinton last time.)

That remark was widely criticized although fellow Democrats attributed it to being merely a mistake.

That’s an interesting characterization.  Being confused, misinformed and incorrectly identifying a location or mispronouncing  words (all of which Biden has done) are fairly described as not intentional – and thus mistakes.
 

But there are mistakes… and mistakes.  Was the recent statement on black voting choices a mistake because he said what he meant to say?  Was his comment made to a radio interviewer with a largely black audience calculated to have an impact?  If so, the post-interview reaction was welcome.  This racial remark received wide distribution.  Perhaps whatever mental deficiencies Joe Biden may have are intermittent.  He’s not always confused or forgetful.  Maybe last week was proof of that.

[Note:  Race baiting is not foreign to the former U.S. Senator and Vice President.  In 2012, he warned a predominately black audience in Virginia about Republicans – “they’re going to put you back in chains”.]

Between the two of them, what a choice!

Craziness on the Right

Early May saw protestors standing in a crowd, cheek to jowl, in Michigan’s capital, chanting their support for “opening” the state.  Some were carrying guns (the number was not displayed in the CNN coverage which focused camera shots of the weapon carriers).  In Texas, some town leaders were harassed – and threatened – when they issued rules for reopening local businesses coupled with the requirement that customers wear face coverings.

Huh?

Is the implicit threat posed by the possession of firearms in a protest of a governor’s shut-down order acceptable these days?  And why is the wearing of masks considered such a serious matter that intense anger is generated among its opponents?

It seems like so much of America these days, one’s particular position on dealing with the virus is determined by partisan affiliation.

A recent Fox poll had the vast majority of Democrats backing strict compliance with protective measures (face masks, social distancing, etc.) while Republicans were a lot less supportive 

When did the response to the health crisis become a partisan matter?  What’s that got to do with political ideology?

[An historical note:  This is not a new phenomenon.  In 1793, a yellow fever outbreak occurred in Philadelphia.  Alexander Hamilton was one of its victims but survived due to “modern” treatment recommended by his physician.  At the time, political parties in America were forming with Hamilton known as a top Federalist.  That Party was bitterly opposed by what were then known as the Republicans, led by Thomas Jefferson.  Hamilton’s doctor was vilified by Republicans who chose to stick with traditional methods of treating the illness, including bloodletting.  Thus, then as now, one’s political sympathies influenced health care decisions.]

President Trump has, for instance, expressed reluctance to wear a face mask.  And Vice President Mike Pence refused to don one when visiting a medical facility.  Other Republicans joined in.

That undoubtedly generated the expected response from the Left  - “if they’re agin it, we’re for it” (the use of such phrasing is to highlight the silliness of the response on both sides).

Who’s right?  Do the social distancing, etc., steps make a difference?  In time we’ll be able to know with confidence.  That time is not yet.

Given the possible health consequences, it’s hard to support the views of the “social distance” ignorers or the “face mask” antagonists.  What’s the great imposition in following the guidelines (even mandated) set forth by  officials?  The insignificant restriction on one’s movements or facial attire surely is less important than possible mortality.

This is not a left-right topic  except to note that nuts and those lacking common sense reside on both sides.

Don’t Americans Read Books Anymore?

It seems a long time ago (but only two decades away) when First Lady – and former librarian – Laura Bush launched her drive to encourage Americans to read books.

Any success achieved was fleeting.  Proof is abundant.  With so many people forced to stay home, TV channels abound with commercials and promos for this or that streaming or video services.  And, to be sure, viewers are reminded often that Amazon home delivers.  But there are no ads for books or book review recommendations.  It’s as if reading a book for entertainment, education, or to fill the empty hours is no longer an option.

[It is ironic, indeed, that Amazon – which sits atop the internet world – got its start as a book dealer!]