A Troubling Fact Regarding the 2020 Presidential Election

Joe Biden won the 2020 Presidential Election.  As a Democrat, that makes me happy.  As an American, that makes me even happier because President Biden will strive to get the coronavirus under control.  But what did disturb me regarding the coronavirus and this election is that more than 71 million Americans voted for Donald Trump. 

Granted, these Americans had a right to vote for Donald Trump.  And they exercised that right.  But what would have happened if Donald Trump had been re-elected?   Would he have turned around and instructed everyone to wear masks during this epidemic?  I don't think so.  He would have continued to do nothing to contain the coronavirus until the vaccine was readily available.  And how many more Americans would have needlessly died in the meantime?  Thousands.  Didn't these voters realize that?   And if Donald Trump had been re-elected, would these voters have been morally responsible for the thousands of Americans who would have needlessly died while waiting for the vaccine?  That is what troubles me.  

There is a May 2007 Irish Times article on the web titled "Voting is a Serious Moral Responsibility."  The gist of the article is that voters have the moral responsibility to vote for the candidate who can best take care of the welfare of their fellow citizens.

That, clearly, is my thinking.  Donald Trump refused to even try to control the coronavirus.  Because of that,  I believe the 71 million American who voted for him shirked their moral responsibility to vote for the best candidate.  Sure, one can argue, that controlling the coronavirus isn't everything.  That there are many more responsibilities of a President.  But, to me, life is paramount.  In our very own Declaration of Independence, life comes before liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  Life matters.  And Donald Trump did nothing to safeguard American lives from the coronavirus.  It did not go away like he said it would.

The author of the newspaper article, Sean Fagán, wrote an interesting book in 1997 titled, Does Morality Change?  I already ordered a copy and it is on the way to me.  I'm hoping his book can shed some light on my understanding of moral responsibility in today's world.

There Are No Coronavirus Liability Waivers For This Election

 

This picture says it all about the Trump presidency.  He refuses to take responsibility for the 230,000 Americans who have died from the coronavirus during his watch.  And the Republicans in Congress have blindly followed his every misstep lock step and barrel.  They, too, take no responsibility for the situation our country is in.  Then there are the Americans who voted for Donald Trump in 2016, and who intend to do more of the same in 2020.  If they have their way, and if Donald Trump get reelected, we will have more of the same.  They need to take responsibility for the situation our country is in.

Things could have been different.  President Donald Trump could have controlled the spread of the coronavirus, and thus save thousands of American lives while doing it.  All he had to do was to listen to the scientists.   He could have recommended that everyone wear a mask and practice social distancing.   Instead, he ridiculed those who wear masks.  And he held political events in the People's Rose Garden, where social distancing most certainly was not practiced.  Of late, Donald Trump is holding last-ditch political rallies to try to save his presidency.  His followers, however, have to sign liability waivers because the Trump administration does not want to be responsible for anyone who contracts the coronavirus during these super spreader events.

The Republicans in Congress could have helped control the spread of the coronavirus, and thus save thousands of American lives while doing it.  They could have provided congressional oversight.  They could have steered the Trump Administration to do what was best for America.  They could have pressured Donald Trump to invoke the Defense Production Act to provide the much-needed personal protective equipment for our healthcare workers and other essential personnel.   They could have supported a national mask mandate. They could have passed a second Stimulus bill to provide financial aid to Americans and to the cities who so desperately need it.  Instead,  the Republicans in Congress have all but shirked their congressional oversight responsibilities.  They let the Trump Administration do what was best for Donald Trump.  As for the Americans in desperate need for financial aid, the Republicans let them down.  As for the cities in desperate need for financial aid that Congress failed to provide they will have to begin laying off healthcare workers and other essential personnel.

Then there are the Americans who voted for Donald Trump in 2016, and who intend to do the same in 2020. Many of them could have worn masks in public, practiced social distancing, and thus saved countless American lives.  Instead, they brazenly flaunt local mask mandates, and social distancing recommendations. If they are asymptomatic, they are the unknowing super spreaders of the coronavirus.  They need to take responsibility for their actions.

Donald Trump could have won the upcoming election in a landslide.  Republicans in Congress could have retained their seats.  All Americans could have been proud of the way Donald Trump handled the spread of the conronavirus – if only he had listened to the scientists.

They say that this election is not just about Donald Trump versus Joe Biden.  It is about the future of America.  That is oh so true.  Think about it.  

What will happen if Donald Trump gets reelected?  As he has repeatedly said, will the coronavirus go away right after the election?  I don't think so.  Sure, we will eventually get a vaccine, but experts are saying that the public won't get the vaccine until the spring.  In the meantime, how many more Americans will die from the coronavirus?  Another hundred thousand?  Two hundred thousand? A quarter of a million Americans?  Do you think Donald Trump will suddenly tell everyone to wear masks?  I don't think so.  When it comes to the coronavirus,  we are looking at more of the same under a second Trump presidency.  And, mind you, the experts say, ""where the coronavirus goes, the economy goes."

What will happen if Joe Biden gets elected?  As he has repeatedly said, he will listen to the scientists.  He will suggest a national mask mandate on day one of his presidency.  That, coupled with increased rapid testing, contact tracing, and temporary lockdowns where necessary where and when necessary will save countless American lives.  And while the spread of the coronavirus is being controlled,  President Biden will work with Congress to restore the economy and build back better – especially if the Democrats take control of the Senate as well.  When it comes to restoring the economy, Joe Biden has the experience to do it.  He has done it before, after the 2008 financial crisis.  President Obama had Vice President Biden work with his former colleagues in Congress to restore the economy.  And restore the economy they did, even though it is Donald Trump who takes credit for it.

They say that most Republican voters wait until election day to cast their ballots.  If you are a Republican voter, I urge you –no, I plead with you –– to consider, I mean really consider –– who can best control the coronavirus in the coming months.  Your vote will determine how many more Americans will die from the coronavirus in the coming months.  You must take responsibility for your vote.  There are no coronavirus liability waivers for this election.

 

 

Rage by Bob Woodward

 

Rage is the second book that Bob Woodward has written about Donald Trump.  Fear was the title of the first book.  Donald Trump was disappointed with the first book, and complained that he was never interviewed for it.  At the time, Trump's staff would not give Woodward access to Trump.  For the second book, Bob Woodward was able to interview Donald Trump  no less than seventeen times, and queried Trump extensively about the problems confronting America and his Presidency.

During a television interview shortly after Fear was published, Woodward was asked to give his bottomline assessment of Trump's leadership.  Woodward replied, "Let's hope to God we don't have a crisis."  We had a crisis, the coronavirus.  In the midst of the coronavirus, we had the crisis over Black Lives Matter versus Trump's Law and Order.  And Woodward gave Trump every opportunity to explain his actions and inactions.

Woodward ends the book with the following paragraph:

"When his performance as president is taken in its entirety, I can reach only one conclusion:  Trump is the wrong man for the job."

Cursory Remarks on the State of Our Disunion

As election day approaches, I want to share some thoughts on the state of our disunion. 

We are the United States of America in name only.  There is no longer anything united about us.

Rage is the title of Bob Woodward's latest book about Donald Trump.  And that's what Trump personified in the Presidential debate.

While discussing his first book on Trump, Fear, shortly after its publication two years ago, Woodward was asked for his bottomline summary of Trump's leadership. He said, "Let's hope to God we don't have a crisis."

We have a medical crisis: the coronavirus.  So far, 208,974 Americans have died under Donald Trump's watch.  He said it would have been two million if he hadn't taken the action he did.  Scientists say that 100,000 of those 208,974 souls would be alive today if the country wore masks and followed other safety precautions.  And who refused to wear a mask? Trump.  Such leadership!

We still have a racial crisis.  Many Americans believe that Black Lives Matter.  Trump counters that Law and Order matters more and fans the flames.

The Trump Administration thinks the Democrats are offering too much money for a stimulas package. Mealy-mouthed Republicans haven't said a word.  Meanwhile airlines are laying off their employees.

Yet 40 percent of Americans will still vote for Trump?  

Hang down your head, America!  You are no longer United.

Eyes Upon America From Down Under: How Australians View Donald Trump's America

How do Australians view Donald Trump's America?  These news clippings from June and July will give you a hint.  As I post this, I can imagine what Australians would say about Trump calling people who serve or died while serving in the military "suckers and losers." The Aussies shed blood with us in Vietnam.  They were not losers and suckers.

Donald Trump's Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic: Willful Neglect or Gross Negligence?

As of August 12, 2020, 168,334 Americans have died from the Coronavirus on President Donald J. Trump's watch.


                             The Law Dictionary

What is WILLFUL NEGLECT?

Intentional failure to perform duties because of negligence.

What is NEGLIGENCE?

NEGLIGENCE. The omission to do something which a reasonable man, guided by those considerations which ordinarily regulate the conduct of human affairs, would do. or doing something which a prudent and reasonable man would not do. It must be determined in all cases by reference to the situation and knowledge of the parties and all the attendant circumstances. 

Negligence, in its civil relation, is such an inadvertent imperfection, by a responsible human agent, In the discharge of a legal duty, as immediately produces, in an ordinary and natural sequence, a damage to another. 

What is WILLFUL NEGLIGENCE?

the type of negligence that is deliberate with the intentional disregard for other people’s welfare.

What is GROSS NEGLIGENCE?

A severe degree of negligence taken as reckless disregard. Blatant indifference to one’s legal duty, other’s safety, or their rights are examples. There is no specific legal definition, but if one drives recklessly and kills another, it is applied as involuntary manslaughter.

What is CRIMINAL GROSS NEGLIGENCE?

an act of omission or commission where a person demonstrates the wilful disregard to the rights of other people that results in possible or actual harm.





                                           America First?

Ten Twitter Pics Worth Ten Thousand Words

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Donald Trump: "Nobody's Ever Heard of Numbers Like This!"

                              COVID-19 CASES WORLDWIDE

  Your inactions are responsible for those numbers, Mr. President.  The Greatest numbers like nobody's ever seen!


                                Wearing Face Masks Saves Lives!


                               
   
     



       

Kudos to Trump Supporters For Not Attending the Tulsa Rally During This Coronavirus Epidemic

I want to thank all the Trump supporters who did not drink Trump's kool-aid that the Coronavirus was disappearing.

Your decision to stay home and avoid attending the rally will help prevent the spread of the virus.  Moreover, your actions will actually save lives.  Thank you for that!

WHO Coronavirus Covid-19 Warning

W A R N I N G ! 

The World Health Organization has determined that voting for listening to Donald J. Trump is hazardous to your health.

Too Many Unanswered Questions Regarding the Administration's Inability to Provide the Necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) For Our Health Care Workers

Why do the governors have to bid against each other to acquire the necessary PPE for their health care workers?

Why doesn't the President invoke the Defense Production Act to manufacture and procure Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?

Why doesn't the American Chamber of Commerce want the President to invoke the Defense Production Act to manufacture and procure the necessary PPE?

Is Jared Kushner running an off-government crisis response team during this pandemic?

Is Jared Kushner's off-government response team interfering with the government's response to the pandemic?

Are the actions and inactions of the government  regarding the acquisition of PPE putting the lives of our health care workers at risk?

These questions need to be asked now.  And they should be answered now.

If not now, when?

Donald Trump and the Lack of Preparations for the Coronavirus

Last month, responding to a question from a reporter about why he has consistently called for “enormous cuts to the CDC, the NIH, and the WHO,” Trump responded:

“I’m a businessperson. I don’t like having thousands of people around when you don’t need them. When we need them, we can get them back very quickly."

Click on the Hyperlinks Above the Images to Read the Articles 



James West, Deputy Editor, Digital, Mother Jones:

Beth Cameron, Former Senior Director for Global Health Security and Biodefense:

The Impeachment was Real. The Trial was a Hoax.

 
         Our Country?  Victory?  Impeachment Hoax?

75% of the American public wanted to hear witnesses at the impeachment trial of Donald J. Trump.

            But Republican Senators voted that no witnesses would be permitted  to testify.


57% of the American public wanted to give the House Managers the opportunity to present new evidence at the impeachment trial of Donald J. Trump.

            But Republican Senators voted that no new evidence would be allowed to be presented.


Donald J. Trump withheld military aid to the Ukraine in exchange for help in the 2020 election.

            Republicans voted that Donald J. Trump was not guilty of Abuse of Power.

Donald J. Trump ordered his cabinet officials not to testify at the House Impeachment Hearing.

Moreover, he directed government agencies to ignore subpoenas for evidence relevant to the impeachment investigation.

             Republicans voted that Donald J. Trump was not guilty of Obsrtruction of Congress.

             The Impeachment was Real.  The Trial was a Hoax.

The Imminent Threat is Donald Trump

     Make no mistake about it.  The imminent threat to the United States of America is Donald Trump.  Whatever is in his best interests is the course of action he will take for the nation, regardless of the consequences.
     The Trump Administration has said that the assassination of General Soleimani was justified because he was an imminent threat to American lives.  Yet, the Administration has not provided Congress with any evidence to show that Soleimani's killing was justified.  Nor did it brief Congress before the assassination.  And I wonder if Trump thought thru the consequences of his action.
     Before the election in 2012, Donald Trump predicted that Barack Obama would start a war with Iran before the election.  He believed that was the only way President Obama could be reelected.
      Now we are really on the brink of a war with Iran, not only before another election, but while Donald Trump is facing an impeachment trial.  He has already tweeted that the Impeachment HOAX needs to be over and done with because he has more important matters to deal with –– matters of his own doing.
     Donald Trump has already said that the United States will attack 52 targets, including Iranian cultural sites, if Iran retaliates to the Soleimani killing.
    No one seems to have mentioned what Russia or China will do if Trump follows through on his threats.  I doubt that either Russia or China will stand idly by while Trump annihilates Iran....
    So what must Congress do?
    Congress must decide if Donald Trump himself is the imminent threat.   Congress needs to demand to see the evidence from the Trump Administration that the killing of General Soleimani was justified.  What was the imminent threat? If there was not an imminent threat, then Congress needs to include the additional facts into the articles of impeachment:  That in authorizing the assassination of General Soleimani, Donald Trump compromised the security of the United States for personal political gain.
     And then Congress must impeach the President.