Politics - A Civil Discourse

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

DISCLOSURE: Please note the title of this post. CIVIL discourse. If you are so emotionally hooked that you cannot discuss candidates and policy without resorting to name calling, personal attacks and other incivility, please do not engage. I will be summarily deleting comments that I consider uncivil, regardless of who posts them, nor will I tolerate any "whataboutism," "Fake News," or other logical fallacies. You don't have to keep it clean (have you met me?) but arguments must be well-thought out and defensible with facts and references from reputable sources. So if you want to engage in poo-flinging monkey fights, please redirect yourself to Reddit, that seething den of scum and villainy. 

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The other day, a 45 supporter on Facebook asked a question. He said he didn't understand why anyone would vote for Vice President Biden, and he wanted to know why people would make that choice. Understandably, he wanted answers other than "He's not Trump."

I've been thinking about this question since then, because I think it's a good one. While most elections end up being a contest between a bad choice and a worse choice, I have always tried to select the candidate who most closely aligns with the ideals and ideas I find most important. But since 45 came into office, I have found that I have been less likely to try and find commonality between me and my selected candidate. This is especially true of 45, since I hold him in such contempt, but after the last four years, my antipathy has spread to the entire GOP.

Such knee-jerk reactions are part of what has made American politics so divisive, personal, and nasty. And I want to be part of the solution, not the problem. 

So I want to articulate the reasons why I think Vice President Biden is a better candidate than the current resident of the White House. Buckle up - this is going to be a long one. 

CAVEAT I: I am a tax and spend liberal. For those of you keeping track at home, this means that if the American people want a specific service from the government, then we must pay for it, i.e., taxes must be raised to cover the cost of the program. I'm okay with paying more taxes for more services for the general population, and yes, I also believe in a progressive tax rate. It's obscene that there are people in the United States who suffer from food insecurity and homelessness while our wealthiest citizens are rich beyond the dreams of avarice. I pay my taxes each year if not gladly, then at least with the satisfaction of knowing I'm doing my part to enhance the standard of living for everyone in my community, not just myself. YMMV.

The American healthcare system. The United States spends more on health care than any comparable country - a whopping 17% of GDP, compared to an average of 8.6% for other relatively wealthy countries. And yet, measurements of life expectancy, infant mortality, and unmanaged diabetes show the United States lagging significantly behind other relatively wealthy countries. 

There are a variety of reasons for these outcomes, but it seems apparent to me the main issue is that America's political machine is far more interested in healthcare for profit than in healthcare for people, and this is not okay with me. In a country as wealthy as ours, everyone within our borders should have access to basic healthcare. No one should have to choose between getting life saving medication or feeding their kids, no one should lose their house and have to declare bankruptcy because of a catastrophic illness or injury, and no one should be left to die because they couldn't afford to seek care. We can afford this. We just choose not to. 

While I personally do not think Biden's healthcare plan goes far enough, I believe it is a step in the right direction. A public option for all should be available if people need it in order to get care, and Biden's current plan is comprehensive enough to increase the number of people who will be covered. We can argue for years about the best methodology to accomplish this goal, but we can't, because I really haven't seen a comprehensive healthcare plan of any sort, good OR bad, from the current Administration. They've had four years to create one. The fact that they've done nothing regarding this critical issue (except try to repeal current protections, I mean) tells me something about their priorities, and I don't like what I see.

Foreign policy. Like it or not, the United States is a part of the global economy, and our economic health is tied directly to our trading partners. Additionally, the United States' standing as a leader of the free world is largely dependent on our relationships with like-minded countries. By acting in concert with our allies, the U.S. is capable of effecting global change for the better. 

Vice President Biden is a master at establishing, maintaining, and deepening these relationships. During his tenures as a Senator and then the Vice-President, he spent many years working with the leaders of foreign governments, and has earned the respect of other wealthy (and other not so wealthy) democracies/republics by doing the necessary diplomatic work to establish his credibility. 

Whether or not you agree or disagree with the current Administration's foreign policy, everyone can see that our standing on the global stage has diminished in the last four years. The free world no longer looks to the United States for leadership and consensus. They roll their eyes when our chief executive enters the room or tries to speak. Instead they look to Germany, led by Angela Merkle in Europe and New Zealand, led by Jacinda Ardern on the Pacific Rim. We have spent the last 80 years establishing ourselves as one of the last remaining superpowers, and sadly, it doesn't take long for that social capital to deteriorate. I believe Vice President Biden can repair our relationships, establish new ones, and hold global bad actors accountable when necessary.

I trust science and the scientific method. If anything has highlighted the difference between the candidates in this race, it's their vastly different attitude regarding science and scientific experts. There is consensus among credible scientists that climate change is real, that it is caused by human technology, and that there will be catastrophic results if we don't work to alleviate the effects, especially in low-lying areas. But that is not what the current administration believes, based on their withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, while climate change and environmentalism is a part of Vice President Biden's platform.  

The most obvious example of declining scientific advice, of course, is the management of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our current administration has ignored advice from recognized experts in favor of magical thinking, and has shaped their policies accordingly. The administration couldn't have been in better hands during this crisis, having Dr. Anthony Fauci as their primary advisor, who has served as the Director of NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984. And yet, the current administration continues to spread falsehoods and half-truths, and enacted policy that has resulted in the U.S. having the largest COVID infection rate and death rate per capita in the world, and that includes third world countries. 

Based on his published platform, I believe Vice President Biden will handle this ongoing crisis in a much more effective manner, because he doesn't think he knows more than a recognized expert whose life's work has been the research and treatment of infectious diseases, and he won't pander to those who think their high school diploma or bachelor's degree makes them a qualified epidemiologist and/or infectious disease specialist.

I believe in the rule of law, the dignity of the Oval Office, and our social norms. Vice President Biden believes in these things, too. 

Character matters. While I am fully aware that the vast majority of politicians in this country equivocate or mislead the population during their tenures, the last four years have been absolutely extraordinary in this regard. Based on the number of verifiable falsehoods 45 has uttered since entering the White House, it does not appear that he can speak on ANY subject without throwing in 10 (or 20) superfluous lies. 45 is a chronic, constant liar. I'm not going to speculate on why this is the case because I really don't give a damn why he lies. The bottom line is that he can't be trusted on any subject, and I require at least a minimal level of honesty from the U.S. President. 

Does Biden also periodically lie? Yes. Yes, he does. He's a politician. But his lies are periodic, and at this point in our country's political life, I think that's the best we can hope for. 

I will not accept misogyny, racism, bigotry, bullying of the weak or disabled, white supremacy, sexual misconduct, or incitements to violence from a candidate hoping to occupy the highest office in the land. While I concede that Vice President Biden is not a person of unerring character, it is my opinion, based on 45's own words, that Biden is miles and miles above 45 in this regard. This may not matter to you provided he delivers on issues you think are more important, and that's your privilege. Just as it's my privilege to eliminate 45 from my consideration based on these character flaws. 

Intellectual honesty, curiosity, competence, and a desire to serve. To be frank, I don't think anyone is "qualified" to be the President of the United States when they begin their first term. It's a job like no other, and the weight of responsibility has prematurely aged every president in history. But there are personality traits that can predict whether or not an individual may be a good or a poor president. In an ideal world, I want a President who is smarter than me. Better educated than me. Has intellectual curiosity about the world. Has shown sustained competence in their chosen field. And I want a President whose impetus to run is to serve the people. Not serve themselves, not seek immunity from prosecution for their misdeeds. not to engage in nepotism, not to make themselves rich by violating the emollients clause. I believe Vice President Biden wants to be President for the right reasons. 

My political values are rooted in the Constitution I swore to protect and defend with my life. This means any candidate I choose to endorse must also have values rooted in our Constitution. I'm especially devoted to the 1st Amendment, 

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

As an Atheist, my own moral code is dictated by philosophical paradigms I have personally chosen that are outside of (but not necessarily contrary to) Christian teachings. The Constitution guarantees my right to reject religion, and when politicians try to force their non-secular belief systems down my throat via executive orders and judicial appointments, I consider it a violation of the 1st Amendment. 

The 4th Estate is the only commercial enterprise specifically called out anywhere in our Constitution for special consideration under the law. That's because the founders understood that the government required watching, and it required watching by institutions who could not be silenced by the very people they were holding accountable. 

I believe Vice President Biden shares these values. I believe 45 does not, as characterized by his constant berating of reputable news outlets, his cries of "Fake News" and "Alternative Facts," and his absolute obsession with his own press and inability to take responsibility for anything that has occurred on his watch. 

I could go on, but I won't. I think that's quite enough for one post, and to tell the truth, I'm really, really tired of politics. For good or for ill, I want this election cycle to be over. 

9 comments:

Eric said...

I think all of these are excellent points, and thank you for making them. All I wanted to say, though, is that I challenge the premise of the question that gave rise to your going to the trouble of making them: in a time of normal politics with normal candidates, "He's not ____" may not seem like a sufficient reason to vote for someone, but in an era when we have the most unqualified candidate in American history propping up a flailing and faltering candidacy with shameless appeals to fascism, "He's not Trump" is in itself a sufficient reason.

At the risk of becoming uncivil, I feel at this point moving the goalposts by demanding a reason for voting against Trump that isn't a reference to Trump's incompetence, authoritarianism, demagoguery, corrupt, and possibly even treasonous behavior* isn't a demand that's being made in good faith anymore.

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*I have no idea whether DJT is a witting or unwitting Russian asset, but I have no reservations about stating the obvious: at any other time in the last 70 or so years a public figure with as many Russian intelligence contacts as DJT has, as many people with Russian intelligence connections in his circle, as many obvious conflicts of interest with Russian implications, as many obvious ways he could be compromised, there is no way that this person would not have been a subject of intense interest by American counterintelligence agencies. I don't think we should forget that.

Anonymous said...

You seem to have ignored mentioning the Jim Crow Joe/Hunter influence peddling & money laundering situation in your list.

Eric said...

Well, Anonymous, my experience with Janiece is that she likes facts, as opposed, say, to right wing distortions based on as list of spurious talking points, so I can see why she didn't spend much time on an oversimplification of Biden's record on race and what appears to be a complete nothingburger of a supposed nepotism "scandal".

Interestingly--and not to engage in whataboutism, but it's nevertheless interesting--one reason these issues don't appear to be doing much to damage Biden is that there's conspicuous evidence of Trump's actual racism and influence peddling on public display, with Trump directly profiting from foreign governments trying to curry favor by staying in his hotels and Trump making direct appeals to white supremacist groups. In this context, the accusations against Biden seem shameless in their nerve and/or lack of self-awareness and/or cynicism.

Anyway.

Janiece said...

Eric, I really did this for myself as a way to try and change my attitude about politics into something a little more positive, as opposed to the way I've been feeling for almost four years, and especially this year. I don't really believe ANYONE owes another citizen an explanation on why they choose to vote the way they do.

Anonymous, when Faux News can come up the documentation that "proves" the Ukrainian story, as opposed to, you know, spurious claims of collusion supported by "lost" documentation, then I will consider your point. And since Faux News is basically 45's mouth piece rather than a reputable news source, maybe not even then. As I noted in my piece, I don't think Joe Biden is the end-all, be-all of a Democratic candidate for President. He's too old for one thing, and I think the Democratic Primary field had much better candidates than Joe. I'm sick to death of old, white, rich dudes running the country.

However, when I compare his record to 45's - the only two viable choices - I find much more commonality with Biden in terms of my own values and important issues than I do with 45. Because I basically have NO commonality with 45. He's a horrible, lying, racist sociopath, and I think America deserves a better human being in our highest office. YMMV.

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately, the last 3+ years have shown you accepted a non-existent premise, based upon NO factual information, of President Trump's "Russia collusion" yet you now question the veracity of the data contained on a laptop that has been partially verified by a former business partner of Hunter along with the FBI opening a money laundering case concerning the laptop, in addition to the verification of the signature on the initial repair order for the laptop ? Your continued & unfounded accusation of 45's racism despite his support & endorsement from African-American notables leads me to believe you are basing your decisions purely upon political party preference. That I can accept. At least be honest in your criticism.

Eric said...

Off the top of my head, there's Trump's hiring of Paul Manafort and Michael Flynn, whose ties to Russian intelligence agents are well-documented; his repeated public solicitation of Russian intelligence activities against American citizens ("Russia, if you're listening..."); his unprecedented willingness to turn people (specifically Bill Browder, who was safely no longer in the United States (I'm embarrassed to say)) over to Russian intelligence at the Helsinki summit, his--

Look, there's a hugely long list, here. There's more than enough reasonable suspicion to have justified opening a counterintelligence operation looking into Trump's numerous and suspicious Russian ties. And while "collusion" is not a legal concept and is sort of meaningless, there's certainly a lot of eyebrow raising circumstantial evidence suggesting that Manafort was turning GOP polling data over to Russia (and circumstantial evidence suggesting the Russians used this data to interfere with the 2016 election--indeed, it's generally accepted by the American intelligence community and by the bipartisan Burr Senate committee that the Russians interfered with the election), and that (one of the things) the Russians in exchange used Wikileaks as a cutout to release DNC emails that damaged the Democrats' image in some quarters (specifically among Sanders supporters).

Oh jeez, and I almost didn't even mention the fact that Don Jr. actually went to a meeting in Trump Tower with a known Russian intelligence asset to discuss lifting sanctions if elected in exchange for Russian assistance in the campaign. (Please note that anyone who knows anything about Obama era sanctions knows that Putin imposed restrictions on American adoptions in retaliation--"discussing adoptions" isn't even a euphemism for discussing sanctions, discussing adoptions necessarily means you're discussing sanctions.)

As for the racism: again, it's too much to even catalogue anymore, from the getting sued for housing discrimination by the freaking Nixon Adminstration to the public comments about being unable to get a fair trial from a Federal judge because he was Hispanic to the comment about "shithole countries" to the kids in cages to merely giving Stephen Freaking Miller a paycheck. I don't care who's endorsed the racist jagoff, people are individuals and can do what they want, including head-scratchingly endorsing a man with a long history of saying hateful things about people who share their ethnic background.

This is likely to be my last response to you, Anonymous; our hostess asked for civility and you're about to lose mine.

Janiece said...

Thank you, Eric. I've been largely offline the last two days, and will be again on Monday and Tuesday due to my duties as an election judge in my county.

Anonymous, in my experience, individuals who attempt to turn criticisms of character as "political party preference" are missing the point.

Yes, I'm a liberal. No, I haven't always been a liberal. I voted for Republicans for many years before I came to the realization that the party was moving to the right in ways that just simply left me behind based on my own values and beliefs. So even though when I reached my majority I self-identified as a left leaning Republican, now their platform sickens me, not for political reasons, but for moral ones.

As for the current President, his character is simply...absent. So when I criticize his behavior, his values, his professional comportment, it's not about politics, it's not about party, it's not about liberal vs conservative. It's about the fact that regardless of where he was, what job he was doing, what his political affiliation was, I'd still consider him a disgraceful human being, and want him to disappear into the obscurity he so richly deserves.

As for my anger at current Republican office-holders, this, too, is based on morality and values. During the Nixon administration, fellow party members did the job they swore to do, and held him to account for his illegal behavior. They did so because it was the right and honorable thing to do, and they had a duty to exercise their power as the legislative branch in curbing the executive branch when required.

This is no longer the case. The Republicans in office during this administration have done nothing - literally NOTHING - to keep 45 in check - at least publicly - and in fact have acted as enablers, like the spouse of an abuser will lie about how they got that bruise on their neck. Based on the news from the leaking-like-a-sieve White House, everyone, including his own staff, knows what an incompetent, childish, incurious, spiteful, amoral human being he is. He routinely violates the emollients clause and obstructs justice, he's damaged our global reputation, he can't make an intelligent, reasoned, thought out decision to save his life, and his party knows this to be true. And they do nothing. As someone who has taken a very similar oath to the one used for Congress, I find this behavior reprehensible and unacceptable. They failed their duty in the worst possible way, sacrificing their honor for their Party, and the well-being of Americans to the capricious decisions of a megalomaniac for their own gain.

So will I vote for a Republican again? Not if they were office during 45's Administration, unless they can provide documented proof that they did their duty during the last four years. I expect that list to be awfully damn short.

End part 1

Janiece said...

Part 2

And honestly, this saddens me. Not to be all "get off my lawn," but I do remember a time when I would look at the two party candidates and think, "Well, my preferred candidate is Mr. X, but if Mr. Y wins, I don't think he'll bring the country to edge of ruin. I'll just be the loyal opposition for the next four years." (See: George W. Bush's 2nd term, John McCains' candidacy, and Republican primaries that included Mitt Romney and Jon Hunt as examples.) I didn't agree with some aspects of their platform and policy, but I do believe these men were as honorable as they could be given that they were politicians running for the highest office in the land. And I also believe that these men cared deeply about the responsibilities of the office they were seeking. I believe that every time GWB received a casualty list from the never-ending "War on Terror" that it broke his heart. I believe that Romney, Hunt, and McCain would have taken their responsibilities as Commander in Chief seriously, knowing that their decisions in this role would almost certainly put members of the Armed Forces in harm's way, resulting in casualties and death.

These virtues simply don't apply to the current President, who considers our war dead and wounded warriors to be "losers" and "suckers," who disrespects Gold Star families, who questions the intelligence of people who choose to serve either in uniform or as civilians working in Intelligence or other support roles. He feels this way because he has no understanding of, or experience with, the concepts of honor, courage, and commitment. It would never even occur to him that defending America, the American way of life, and our brothers and sisters in arms unto death is something people would do voluntarily as a core aspect of their character. I find this deeply, deeply disturbing, both because I come from a family with a history of military service, and also because so much of my own life was spent in the uniform that 45 disrespects with such flippancy. My family members, and all my brothers and sisters in arms, deserve so much more from their Commander in Chief.

I think it's also important to make a distinction here regarding conservatives, Republicans, and Trump supporters. As I've mentioned elsewhere, I have nothing against conservatives. Having people of good conscience participating in representative democracy from varying points of view is a feature, not a bug.

But I don't consider people who support 45 to be conservatives in the sense that Mitt Romney, the Bushes, Jon Hunt and John McCain are conservatives. In my mind, there are "conservatives," "Trump supporters," and "the Republican Party." There may be some overlap in that Venn diagram, but the categories are hardly mutually inclusive.

End part 2

Janiece said...

Part 3

The Republican Party has sold their soul for power, allowing the party that was once characterized by service, seriousness, intelligence, education and accomplishment to be hijacked by a circus side show. They reaped what they sowed, with 45 being the culmination of the Southern strategy, nationalism, fear, hate, and authoritarianism. I hope they get their shit together soon. I miss having two acceptable candidates to choose from at the polls. I wish conservatives of good conscience would see where their party is going, and take it back from the racists, the nationalists and the leaders whose only goal is to "own the libs." I have no doubt that Ronald Reagan and Tip O'Neill are rolling over in their graves right about now.

I hope for a lot of things, although I'm not sanguine that any of them will come to pass.

As noted above, I will be off-line probably until Wednesday at the earliest, as Election Judges are not permitted to use phones, tablets, etc. at the polling places where we work, and our local election office anticipates our in-person voting to be extremely busy on Monday and Tuesday. So I will disengage now, as well, and close comments on this post until I can keep an eye on it again, probably Wednesday afternoon, when I will open them back up. Stay safe, everyone.