Two Awful Weeks In American Politics; What To Do Next

It is obvious that the past two weeks have generated some very trying times in our political discourse as we moved from political differences into partisan tribalism. That said, we now have a new Supreme Court Justice who has been confirmed, but still has a cloud over his head.

As the saying goes, “it ain’t over ‘til it’s over,” and this controversy is far from over. It is assumed that the Democrats will take the House of Representatives in the upcoming election and that an investigation into what the FBI was allowed to do, or not do, in Kavanaugh’s most recent review, will be looked at closely. If any further action is taken, it will depend upon what else is found.

Both parties need to take a lesson from the playbook of Senators Flake and Coons. They both crossed the aisle and worked hard to find the truth. In my view, it is obvious the White House put constraints on that effort and killed any real investigation.

After watching almost all the hearings, I came away with two convincing conclusions. One, that Judge Kavanaugh was lying through his teeth, or possibly even more convincing, that he was so drunk he really doesn’t remember the event. I also believe his partner Mark Judge probably knew more than he let on and is hiding additional information. All of that is speculation on my part and can be determined one way or another by additional House Congressional hearings after the election.

What I believe the Democrats (and hopefully Republicans) need to do going forward is to change the tone of the discourse. More is at stake than even the important Supreme Court appointment. It is how we need to get back to a semblance of being able to govern our selves.

We are in the process of losing our respect in the world and the title of the Worlds Greatest Democracy. We cannot expect leadership from the White House to change. Trump’s attitude and world vision was baked-in from his childhood years. What each of us can change is our attitude about his behavior.

At a recent political event, he mocked and belittled Dr. Ford in a way that was so awful for anyone to act, much less the leader of our country. He will not change, but the issue for me was the people behind him on the podium who were clapping and smiling at his disdainful remarks about a woman who is a survivor of a sexual attack. Those individuals should look closely at their own attitudes and values and determine if that is who they really are or who they want their children to become.

It has been said before and I will say it again, more elected officials, and the voters, need to put country above party. That is the only way this Democracy can get back on track and return to being a world-class democracy.

by Dick Goodson
Posted 10/9/18