Dereliction of Duty, the Republicans are at it again
Just like the Titanic, a defining characteristic of the US is hubris (some might even say THE defining characteristic). It’s part of our charm. Except, just like the Titanic that hubris is getting people killed. In this case, by the hundreds of thousands. The latest count is nearly 200,000 Americans dead from Covid-19 and its related complications. This disease has ruined the lives of tens of millions of Americans, and we still don’t know what the lasting health effects are, if any, or how long they’ll last and their severity. No one can even tell you the effects on the economy. Short, medium or long term. I haven’t seen any real discussion on what effects, if any, this disease and the completely haphazard responses are having on young children or adults (I’m not talking about the psychological effects from the lockdowns, but rather the physical and psychological effects of the disease itself).
On the flip side, the US, with the backing of a willing and eager Congress, went to war with two countries, utterly destroying their central governments and gutting any semblance of stability for those countries and the region (as if it needed any help). This, over what was an admittedly horrific and unprovoked cowardly terrorist attack that claimed more than 3,000 Americans lives (the anniversary of which is today, but know that I didn’t write this with 9/11 in mind, this really is just a coincidence). Yet, here we sit, nearly 200,000 Americans and counting dead, no end in sight, and a President who admitted on tape that he purposefully misled America on the dangers of contracting Covid-19, and consciously continues to do so, purportedly to avoid panic. Meanwhile, millions of Americans have no jobs, nor are they likely see those jobs again. Their employers are permanently closed, whether they know it today or not. Millions of Americans are facing the reality that they will, through no fault of their own, lose their homes. Their savings. Their future. And, with no jobs, no income, nor the ability to attain new employment, saddled with a Republican controlled Senate that refuses to understand the severity of the financial crisis we’re living through, have no money to move anywhere. The severity of all this that we are living with today wrought because Trump failed in his duty to protect the country. Dereliction of duty, I believe is the phrase.
Where are the Republicans on this? Where are the Republicans denouncing such an egregious, purposeful failure? Where are the Republicans demanding the heads of those responsible, the American leaders who knowingly and willingly failed the American people? Where are the Republicans, the Senate Republicans, decrying their votes of acquittal, and demanding that this completely unfit and Un-American President be removed at once from office, upcoming election or not?
Time and time again the United States finds itself with leadership that is so in love with this notion of a Free Market that cures all ills that they constantly fail to act in time to save a sinking ship, plunging the country and her citizens into years, if not decades long, hardship. Prior to the Great Depression if the Hoover Administration and Congress had acted in much the same way as FDR later did we, and the rest of the world, may never have experienced such a severe and long lasting economic crunch (perhaps even avoiding WW II and a Fascist Germany). Just as today it was the Republicans and their Free Market At All Costs ideals that failed to meet the moment. Combined with the cult of personality Trump has engendered within the Republican Party (not sure why the Democrats are so immune, but I’m sure history has the answer) and we have a dire situation that won’t get better anytime soon.
From Trump’s refusal to do what needs to be done to keep the Nation healthy, to the Republicans new found fear of deficits (like so many, I ask where was this fear when it came time to give corporations, and mostly large ones at that, well over $1 Trillion in tax breaks), no one’s steering the ship. Instead, we have 50 life boats trying to keep the mothership afloat. Can’t imagine this will end well for the any of us.
