I’m gyrating in my thinking about November and who will win. I expect the Democrats to win, and Biden to be re-elected. But, it is looking more and more like both parties are populated with geriatrics who refuse to give up power even when they know they are past their prime, well past their prime, and that it is time for a new generation. To the point of endangering all of us.
But I will vote for Biden, because the alternative is so horrifying.
We saw this with Ruth Bader Ginsberg. The Great Saint RBG blessed be her name. The great jurist. The champion of women's rights and equality. Knowing that she had terminal cancer, instead of stepping down while Obama had time to select a liberal successor, she stayed well into the Trump rule, dying just in time to ensure he could keep packing the bench with ultra-conservatives.
Biden is doing the same. I’m not suggesting that he has terminal cancer or any other malady. I am suggesting that he is making the same mistake; holding on and not trusting that there is a strong bench to support and follow him. It is not like the Democratic Party has a single figurehead cult leader. There is no need for Biden to demand that his supporters come and protest outside the courthouse, or bleat platitudes and attack judges, their families, or jurors hearing cases.
There is a huge bench of highly capable people. Would all of them win against a Republican contender? Maybe not. But many, if not most, would. And almost all of them would make great leaders of the nation.
Not because of their personalities or cults, but for their energy and the policies that they support.
And yet here we are, six months out from one of the most consequential elections in US history, and there is a real chance that the Party of MAGA, the Cult of Trump, might win. The party that openly says they want to control the bodies and choices of 50% of the population. The party that openly works to reduce civil liberties and the right of minorities to vote. They actually have a chance.
How is this even possible.
How is it possible that the media ignores the ravings of a madman while highlighting every gaff of a person with a lifelong speech impediment but decades of service to the country?
The answer is simple.
Trump supporters view an establishment that is out of touch with them, their issues and challenges, and their fears. And like all good cults, MAGA thrives on fear. And it thrives on reminding people that their representatives are not representative of them. And it is difficult sometimes not to wonder if Washington actually does represent or understand the needs and concerns of the rest of the US.
For decades, unfettered globalisation stripped America of its manufacturing jobs while mega-conglomo-corp companies pushed any and almost all competition to the side and into the ditch of history. Add to that “Citizen's United” allowing companies to effectively buy elections, and it is little wonder that there was (and is) such dissatisfaction.
Add to the misery the perception that the Old Guard will not relinquish power, and we come to today. The Constitution of the United States says that a person must be 40 years old to be eligible to hold the office of President. Sadly, it is looking like the unofficial age has risen to 70+. This is not healthy for society. In 2020, both candidates were over 70 years old. This year, one is over 80, and the other is up way past his jail time (oops, he is well over 75).
We’ve seen this maniacal clinging to power at all costs from both sides of the aisle. Mitch McConnell wouldn’t consider stepping down until he had his frozen moment. Speaker Pelosi refused to give up power until she lost her majority. Did she not trust any other member of the Democratic Party to be a great Speaker?
The average age of Congressional Representatives and Senators has been increasing steadily over the past four Congresses. Today, the average representative is 58.4 years old, while the average Senator is 64.3 Years old. The AVERAGE member of Congress should be preparing to retire, not preparing for the second half of their congressional career.
One of the principal responsibilities of leadership is to ensure there is a cadre of high-quality talent right behind you, ready to step into the role. Heaven help the team if you are the only talent or potential leader. How foolish that looks in business and equally foolish in politics.
Of course I will vote to save the US from dictatorship. But I’m not happy about it, and many like me will vote to save the country. There had better be a clear demonstration of intent to then hand off the country to a new generation.
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