Don’t get too excited about Joe Biden and his pretense at boldness in the model of FDR.
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FDR? Don’t make me laugh. Biden doesn’t even measure up to Eisenhower’s liberalism!
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The man and his party have already surrendered to the fascist Republicans who are busy passing new Jim Crow laws to insure their continued minority rule. The Democrats could prevent that by passing the “For the People” Act (HR1). But that would insure continued Democratic rule. It would also require suspension of the Senate filibuster. Uncle Joe and the Dems tremble at the very thought.
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Unlike the Republicans, the Democrats just won’t play hard ball. Remember how the fascists refused to even consider Obama’s SCOTUS appointment, Merrick Garland? With the presidential election 11 months off, they said they wanted “the American People” to have a voice in the matter. Then the fascists turned around and rushed through the appointment of a right-wing fanatic Amy Coney Barrett – less than two weeks before the 2020 election!
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That and the appointments of sexual predators, Thomas and Kavanaugh, have rendered the SCOTUS absolutely corrupt. None of us should recognize the validity of its decisions.
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Yes, Trump is gone for the moment. But enjoy the respite while you can. He’ll soon be back in one form or another – very likely worse than in his last incarnation. And the reason he’ll be back is because the Democrats are gutless wonders who don’t represent any of us. They represent only their rich donors.
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Think about it: “The American People” overwhelmingly support Medicare for all, $15 an hour minimum wage, free college, tuition debt forgiveness, gun control, and higher corporate taxes. But can we expect “our” elected officials to follow suit? Of course not! They don’t care what we want — only what their donors demand.
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Face it: we’re living in a failed state. Gridlock remains the order of the day. Nothing substantial is done for any of us ordinary people.
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Compare “our” government’s gridlock with China’s efficiency – which enjoys (according to U.S polls) the approval of 90% of its population. That sounds like democracy to me.
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Do you know how China solved its drunk driving problem? It decreed that a first offense would result in 2 weeks in jail. A second conviction leads to the permanent confiscation of one’s driver’s license! Problem solved.
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Last week, there was an extremely rare school shooting in Russia. Immediately, President Putin introduced new restrictions on gun ownership. Our country has mass shootings every week. How do our legislators respond? “Thoughts and prayers.”
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Biden’s foreign policy is virtually the same as Trump’s. Old Joe’s man, Tony Blinken says he’s worried about China, the Uyghurs, and the world’s “rules-based order.” But he won’t condemn Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine, will he? He won’t even cut off funding of Saudi Arabia’s crown prince or call him the “killer” he is. Oh yes, “Putin’s a killer,” but not the man who had a Washington Post journalist murdered and dismembered.
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What rules-based order?
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And what about Cuba? And the Iran deal and old Joe’s continuance of the Donald’s crippling sanctions there? And Venezuela?
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And the Pro Act? There’ll be no protection of workers under the Biden Administration. Why? See my note above on filibuster.
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I hate to break the news, but it’s all smoke, mirrors, posturing and hypocrisy.
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We’re living in a failed state. Yes, Trump will be back.
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God help us!
About Things That Matter 
Hi Mike,
True, Biden is taking the “What About Bob?” method of change: baby-steps, baby-steps.
And, those baby-steps are a pretty constant drip-drip-drip.
I prefer a steady drip-drip-drip over big talk that goes nowhere. Talk is cheap.
Changing one’s perspective as a result of the presentation of facts buttressed with reasoning is a skill accessible to how much of the public, do you think? From your report of how things went when you presented to a well-educated group in your church, not many. The problem wasn’t the cogency of what you presented: you have an enviable (if one is so inclined) track record that demonstrates your capabilities. Most people, educated or not, do not change their minds through intellectual means, but rather through experience. Baby-steps that lead to good results create experiences that changes minds.
Give baby-steps a chance. 🙂
Hank
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Hank, I so appreciate your taking time to write such thoughtful responses. And, believe me, I see the wisdom of your baby steps approach. At the same time, I find myself worrying that the time for gradualism has passed. Certainly it has for the environment. The same might be said for the Palestinians (for whom even baby steps remain untaken) and Cuba. I fear that none of these politicians is our friend. They don’t serve us, but their donors. And while Biden’s manner is certainly preferable to Trump’s, his policies remain woefully similar and inadequate at best. But that might be just me.
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