Readers Write: If it’s not ignorance, what is it?

The Island Now

As they say in baseball, “I calls ’em as I sees ’em.” One particular Trump supporter who writes letters to this newspaper is not ignorant because she is aware of the facts – but, unfortunately, when she misinterprets such information, there is a word that best describes such condition. Please fill in the missing word. For example, she writes; “Democrats support anarchy.” By definition, anarchy is a state of lawlessness or political disorder due to the absence of governmental authority.

In reality, the opposite is true. The Democrats want governmental authority. As for Trump, his objectives are to have complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism. Trump is achieving such objectives by attempting to take away voting privileges, suppressing protests, promoting nationalism, opposing much of racial equality while applauding racists and even Neo-Nazis, attacking those who criticize him and regimenting business to favor his followers. Is that the American way? By definition, do you know what it is? It’s called fascism. You can look it up.

That same Trump supporter writes about everything except the coronavirus, you know that thing that has resulted in the death of over 162,000 Americans and infected over 5 million. Forget economics for now. If we die, it won’t matter. A plan must be developed to deal with this pandemic. “Leave it alone. It will go away by itself.” “It is what it is.” These are Trump’s responses?

Due to his inaction, Trump is responsible for at least half the 162,000 deaths and that number will grow. Giving Trump the benefit of the doubt, let’s say it took him two months to realize the severity of the pandemic. Thus, for the first 80,000 deaths, he can be held blameless. However, as the president of the United States, due to his inaction or negligence, he must be held accountable and liable for the 80,000 plus deaths since that time. With his constant use of the words “tremendous” and “great”, we must put him on the same list with such “tremendous” individuals as Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini, Putin plus the Middle East and South American dictators, as the “greatest” mass murderers over the last one hundred years. Instead of the White House, San Quentin or Alcatraz would be a more appropriate home address. You want reality? He should be charged with mass murders.

Based on projections by our medical and scientific communities, by December the deaths due to the coronavirus will exceed 300,000. Let this Trump supporter take her fake news about anarchy and Black Lives Matter, to name but two, and stick ’em up your, for the sake of civility, nose.

And to top all that, Trump and the Republicans, to show their support of the working people who are currently out of work, totaling in excess of 30 million, tare balking that the additional $600 in federal weekly unemployment, when added to the various state unemployment amounts, gives these people more than they would currently be earning. Factually, the group of such unemployed workers who would fall into that category is very small. Republicans also complain that many of such recipients are merely putting that money into savings accounts. Nothing wrong with that since projections show that many rainy days lie ahead.

One question should be asked of these Republican members of the Senate and the House. When was the last time that they needed money to survive? At least they have their rich benefactors to count on, in exchange, of course, for something. Charity does begin at home or rather in the House and Senate of favored Republicans.

As for Trump’s four presidential executive orders to break the congressional logjam, the truth is in the details and may I suggest you read them for laughs. But working people are not in the mood for laughs.

Regarding the cost to help so many unemployed Americans survive, the Republicans refuse to spend the extra trillions of dollars needed to help get us through this pandemic situation by citing the massive deficit it would create. Here’s a fact. Reversing the previous 2018 federal tax cut that overwhelmingly favored the wealthy individuals and the largest corporations would easily cover such deficit and help our fellow Americans who are in such desperate need. As the Republicans believe, but do not say, “who cares about compassion? Let them eat saffron and caviar,” while we the people will share in eating you know what.

Aside from compassion or lack thereof, it is basic to see the difference between ignorance and stupidity. The latter supports lies and a morally corrupt character. Welcome to the world of Trump. Beware of the signs. They all spell “DANGER” and will result in the end of the American way of life.

Concluding on an optimistic note, the fact that jellyfish have survived for 650 million years despite not having brains gives hope to many people.

Alvin H. Goldberg

Great Neck

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