Twentieth century journalist and satirist, H.L. Mencken, once wrote: "The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary."
As we approach Election Day, 2020, we have experienced the incumbent President who has careened from one imaginary, hobgoblin to another with little concern for the truth or the public’s well-being. We have witnessed his own infection by COVID-19, along with members of his family, numerous members of the White House staff, and his advisors. While not resulting in serious illnesses or any deaths within that cluster, that we’re aware of, his cavalier and incendiary rhetoric regarding COVID-19 and its severity has resulted in his followers (I refuse to call them supporters – cults have followers) ignoring basic health protocols which would diminish, if not entirely mitigate, the spread of this virus – mask wearing, hand washing, physical distancing.
Joe Biden, on the other hand, has not practiced Mencken’s “practical politics.” He has listened to science regarding COVID-19, explained and defended his policy positions, exhibited empathy and thoughtfulness toward voters and even his opponent, and has remained laser-focused on attacking the principal “hobgoblin” (NOT imaginary) threatening our country’s decency and democracy: Donald J Trump.
I hope we have had enough of hobgoblins and will soon be rid of this con man-in-chief!
留言