Getting Serious About the 2020 Presidential Election
Really, get serious. Pull your head out ...from under the covers and pay attention to what’s going on around you. If not for yourself, then for your kids, your family, your neighbors and community ...for your Country. It’s more important this time than any other time in America’s history.
Unfortunately, our enfeebled democratic process falls into the hands of ‘the people’ once again, the same people who elected Donald Trump in 2016 ...‘President Goldfinger’. How can we trust ‘the people’ again to make wise decisions for our collective well-being? We have no choice, it’s the way the process works. Our only hope is that they come to their senses. So, put down your Slurpee, back away from your video game, get your head screwed on straight and pay attention. ‘Avengers: Endgame’ won’t make you smarter or a more informed voter. Again, this is important.
For those of you who do consider yourself ‘informed‘ and if you are thinking ‘Trump’ again in 2020, you should do some soul-searching. Look at yourself in the mirror and ask with all seriousness: Am I an idiot? Here’s how to tell:
You park your shiny new oversized pickup truck at a 45-degree angle in the parking lot at the grocery store taking up two spaces.
You litter.
You don’t realize that your bicycle is the smallest, most vulnerable thing on the road.
You decorate your smart phone.
You believe a) science has all the answers b) scripture has all the answers c) we have mastered civilization. Well, that doesn’t make you an idiot, just someone who has given up.
You use words picked up from a) the military b) 19th century novels c) Webster’s ‘Word of the Day’.
You don’t use any of those words properly -- but think it’s highly entertaining and that people might think you’re a comic ...like Norm Crosby https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnX-EPaAIdU ...(you can bail on this video at any time, it’s a little dated, but you’ll get the point. Crosby was a popular comedian/entertainer in the 60’s-70’s. He began to lose his hearing in WWII due to noise exposure, depth charges, he worked on an anti-submarine sub-chaser. With the use of hearing aids he turned his affliction into a very funny act. He became known as “The Master of Malaprop”. A Malapropism is the use of an incorrect word in place of a word with a similar sound resulting in a nonsensical, sometimes humorous utterance). But Crosby was no idiot, he was a genius.
But seriously (nothing wrong with a little serious humor), the media-generated frivolous hoopla that has always surrounded American presidential elections will only be a distraction in 2020. There’s nothing frivolous about this election. The cowboy hats, the bunting, the silly slogan signs and frenetic craziness will hypnotize the American voter into a sportive atmosphere of entertainment and jubilation with the presidential personality contest in the center ring. Okay, all well and good, but in my opinion, an already over-exaggerated media circus jamboree is detracting from the serious job ahead.
But, again, it’s the process we’re stuck with, I don’t know a better one, but we better pay attention and get serious. America’s future direction and its credibility in the world community are on the line this time more than ever before. ‘President Goldfinger‘ has damaged America’s image and legacy so badly, foolishly, that we don’t appear serious as a people.
The news media, Congress, everyone, is incensed at Trump’s behavior and lack of conscience and empathy. His reckless, irreverent attitude is only surpassed by his willingness to humiliate himself, and America, in a display of unconscionable policy blunders and diplomatic faux pas. His revolving door of administrators and department heads, and the people, family members, advisors, lawyers that he has surrounded himself with is a testament to his inability to grasp any situation in its seriousness and depth ...and not blow it.
It makes for great TV, but he man is a monster. Truth is, he will eat the 2020 Democratic candidates alive and spit out their bones if they don’t get serious and realize what they’re dealing with. Political rhetoric ...tax reform, jobs, abortion laws, infrastructure, immigration, gun control, drugs, race issues, foreign policy ...and on and on are all important to discuss and to have a position on, but at the end of the day one individual needs to slay the monster and chase President Goldfinger out of the White House. That’s the job.
Do you envision any of the current candidates as doing this? I used to think Joe Biden was the only candidate who could go toe-to-toe with Trump, and other world leaders, but I’m having my doubts. I don’t see any of the women running as having a chance. Warren is too shrill, Kamala just wants to be on TV, Gillibrnand is invisible, and Klobuchar needs another snow storm. The rest just seem to be in the way, and if they all start bickering with one another it will only serve to make Trump appear stronger. I’m starting to like Pete Buttigieg. He’s intelligent like Obama, he can think on his feet, and he’s a veteran (good optics). He’s gay, which, in a way, is actually a big plus. He’s just “different” enough to throw the curveball that Trump can’t hit ...and then there’s the ‘First Lady‘/’First Partner’ thing which will play well in the center ring of our fabulous upcoming media circus of the stars.
I suggest you vote with the ‘Three Ps’ as your guideline. ‘P’ for overall Personality. ‘P’ for Policies. ‘P’ for what Package the candidate brings to to the White House ...friends, family, colleagues, etc. for the top jobs.
Whichever way you’re thinking, just be sure to cast your vote. Or not. Just don’t vote for Trump again. In 2016, if you ‘thought’ Trump would make a good president, I understand, you’re forgiven, but this time I suggest you vote with your heart. ‘Thought’ has proven to be wrong ...look what it got you last time. Heart is everything.
So, get serious America ...or the last laugh will be on us.
John Kushma is a communication consultant and lives in Logan, Utah.
