You will not be fooled again! These famous and well-known lyrics, written by Pete Townsend and performed by The Who, should guide us in terms of how we listen and pay attention to those we elect to serve and represent us, and/or, run for office! Unfortunately, it often seems that the American public, instead of learning, continues to make the same mistakes and trust public officials and politicians, who probably don’t deserve our trust! Although the lies and/or misstatements made by these individuals are nothing new, in recent years we have witnessed an alarming amount of behavior that we must no longer allow/permit. With that in mind, this article will attempt, briefly, to consider, examine, review, and discuss 5 examples of people who should be serving and representing our best interests, seem to put their personal/political agenda, and/or, self-interest, first. , ahead of the greater good.
1. Alternative Trump Facts: It is important to recognize that while everyone is entitled to their own opinion, there is only one set of facts! When one of former President Trump’s advisers and spokespersons used the phrase Alternative Facts to describe some of his misleading and/or false statements, etc., and so many citizens seemed to accept this behavior and rhetoric. It’s easy to see why, we’re so easy to fool, over and over again!
two. Trump resorting to the name: call, complain, blame and call, anything, that he did not agree, false facts: Just because we don’t agree with something doesn’t make it a false fact! For four years, we have witnessed the president constantly resort to name-calling, complaining, blaming, and using the expression, false Facts, never accepting any personal responsibility, admitting any errors, mistakes, etc., and proposing much-needed workable solutions.
3. Mitch McConnell’s hyperbole: One of the most powerful politicians in Washington, DC, is Senator Mitch McConnell. As Senate Majority Leader, he bragged about how the Senate was where legislation came to die and how we would make it almost impossible for any Democratic legislation to even make it to the floor. . He was influential in attracting corporate donors to support his party. When the opposing party recently gained control of the Senate (by the narrowest of margins), it changed its rhetoric and spoke out against corporations, getting involved in political issues, as we recently noted, after Georgia enacted legislation, the majority considers it, a way of eliminating votes, etc. At the very least, his behavior is hypocritical!
Four. Changing deficit – talk: As if the actions of the Republican Party, opposing the increase in the Federal Minimum Wage (for the first time, in 13 years), claiming that it would be detrimental to the economy and labor markets, did not worry enough, the changing discourse, and attitude, regarding to the federal deficit, since they passed the tax reform law of 2017 (which raised the deficit, significantly), which was promoted, claiming that it would help the middle class, but, which, we now know, mainly benefited the richest Americans and the largest corporations, to, now, oppose much-needed stimulus funds, is, perhaps, the epitome of dangerous and worrying behavior/rhetoric.
5. Gun Safety: Although polls/polls indicate that the vast majority of Americans, including gun owners, support common sense, gun safety controls such as background checks, safety, use and licensing/ record, many (especially in Congress) continue to oppose these, even after all the lives, lost! Another example is assault weapons, which, for most, do not seem necessary. It often seems that the arms industry has exceptional influence over certain public officials! How many more must die, before we see some significant actions? Isn’t it strange, we search cars and drivers, but not weapons, etc.?
Wake up, America, and stop being fooled by empty promises, rhetoric, and false facts! Don’t we have to do better?
