Month: September 2020

For better or worse, nationalism is about the feeling that each individual is just a small part of a much larger cultural whole, and that it is the condition of the whole relative to the rest of an alien and hostile world that ultimately matters. Does Trump meet that standard?

Of course not, for two reasons. First, while it is obviously not uncommon for nationalists to reject and even demonize small racial, ethnic, or religious minorities within their country, Trump only attempts to represent about 40 percent of Americans. You can’t be a real nationalist if you despise most of your countrymen. Second, as we all know, he is purely in it for himself, and his economic policies have consistently favored wealthy businessmen over the mass of average citizens.

The bottom line is that America means nothing to Trump. He simply uses the flag like a used car salesman to sell himself.

The Russian government obviously poisoned Navalny. They’re barely trying to hide it. The continued use of the same obscure poison is a clear message to Putin’s opponents–we’re coming for you, and you can’t stop us.

Trump, as you would expect, has been silent on the issue. If he did actually respond, he would probably say that the 400 pound guy on his bed might be responsible, or that America poisons its enemies, too.

American exceptionalism, indeed.

Life in the time of Trump.

Do black lives matter less?

To a certain kind of guy

That’s the truth, I guess.

He’s resolved to cling to power

Regardless of the cost.

Dictatorship if he should win.

A graveyard if he lost.

Trump and Fox News predictably have an exaggerated view of what constitutes self-defense for right-wing militia types. First, it was the Missouri couple pointing guns at peaceful protesters in the street; then, the teenager with the assault rifle killing two people in Kenosha; finally, Trump saying that shooting pepper spray and paint at protesters is perfectly OK.

Where does this end? With a cycle of massacres and martyrs on both sides if it doesn’t stop now.

The pandemic has made it clear: in addition to providing an education, public school is a form of day care that is essential for the workings of the American economy. We accept taxpayer funding for public schools because they contribute to the well-being of all of society, including people without children. What, then, is the principled objection to providing subsidized day care for smaller children?

Biden is carrying forward what amounts to a Warren plan on this subject. While many of Warren’s plans were, in my opinion, fundamentally flawed, I would be willing to pay higher taxes to implement this one.

Trump tells us that we have to re-elect him because he’s a strong man who will keep us safe in a dangerous world. Really? Let’s look at the record:

1. THE VIRUS: 180,000 dead and counting. He belittled the problem, made wearing masks a culture war issue, demanded that states open up before they were ready, and concluded by saying “It is what it is.” As far as he’s concerned, the pandemic is over, and it’s time to move on.
2. NATURAL DISASTERS: Trump doesn’t believe in climate change. Instead of providing California with help, he dismisses the wildfire problem as a simple matter of state and local land management. He threw paper towels to the desperate people of Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. Not exactly a stellar record.
3. CRIME: Having proclaimed that “he alone” could reduce violent crime in this country, he has predictably done nothing. Murders are up this year in most large American cities. That isn’t really his fault, but he said it was on him, so let’s take him up on it.
4. EXTERNAL THREATS: Iran is closer to getting a nuclear weapon thanks to his decision to withdraw from Obama’s agreement. His efforts to charm Kim have come to nothing. He has terminated, or is in the process of terminating. several arms control agreements with Russia; an arms race consequently looms. Our allies no longer support us, and don’t believe a word he says. The Chinese military threat has increased in the South China Sea.
5. THE ECONOMY AND THE WELFARE STATE: The recession speaks for itself, and he has continued to try to dismantle Obamacare through legislative and legal means.

Doesn’t exactly make you feel safe, does it?

As at the convention, Biden made the speech he needed to make, this time on protests and violence. Trump, for his part, made it clear that he condones violence from his supporters. Having been fully educated by the candidates, the American public must now choose a side on this issue.

In the meantime, here are two points that Biden really needs to emphasize:

1. RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE: Minimum wage increases are popular with the general public because they don’t look like a form of welfare, even though that is exactly what they are. Trump claims to speak for working people, but he doesn’t support them on this issue. Do reactionary workers really love Jesus and guns so much that they will turn down a large wage increase? Let’s find out.
2. SAVE SOCIAL SECURITY: The elderly are used to hearing Democrats talk in general terms about GOP cuts to Social Security and Medicare, so they generally pay them no mind. In this election, however, Biden actually has a plan to address the looming funding crisis, while Trump’s payroll tax cut will make things worse. Biden should make this a centerpiece of his pitch to seniors, because Trump has no answer for it, and it matters–a lot.