The Politics of a Health Crisis

[Flint]

Originally Posted by Undertoad

People wanted him to declare a national shutdown

without the consideration that he can't actually "declare" squattah

it's always been my contention that the modern POTUS is MUCH less powerful than we make them out to be -- but we have a powerful human instinct to believe in and look to a singular leader

It is in all POTUS's interests to have people believe they actually are doing everything, it makes them seem powerful and ensures their bullshit legacy

There's a thread through all of this. People want him to do the objectively right thing.

Declare a national shutdown-- good
Produce/distribute medical supplies-- good

Force people back to work, against the warnings of scientists-- "not good"

What he can or can't actually do be damned. If he would just use whatever powers he thinks he has to do GOOD THINGS.

[Luce]

Originally Posted by Flint

What he can or can't actually do be damned. If he would just use whatever powers he thinks he has to do GOOD THINGS.

That would be a nice change.

But I'm not exactly holding my breath.

[BigV]

Originally Posted by Flint

There's a thread through all of this. People want him to do the objectively right thing.

Declare a national shutdown-- good
Produce/distribute medical supplies-- good

Force people back to work, against the warnings of scientists-- "not good"

What he can or can't actually do be damned. If he would just use whatever powers he thinks he has to do GOOD THINGS.

ƒlint, that's a pretty good summation. I would add that the very senior Whitehouse official in question *DOES* do good things, at all times, but the official's definition of what's good and our definition of what's good are rarely aligned and almost always polar opposites.

This comes from the underlying affinity for authoritarianism that lies in each of us. That Force is strong in this one, but produces a certain amount of revulsion in you and me.

He is doing good, deflecting responsibility, continuously editing and rewriting the narrative, taking credit for positive events (real or imagined), valuing loyalty over competence and honesty, the beat goes on and on and on. These are definitely good things for an authoritarian. For those of us who want a more representative leader, it misses the mark; these actions seem counterproductive.

He's reliable, consistent, predictable; he'll do what's good for him. You and I are no more than props, foils, reflective surfaces for him to bask in.

[tw]

Most needed action is testing at a national level. In countries, where testing is widely available, this pandemic is subsiding. Testing is how a pandemic is identified, isolated, and other potential victims quarantined. Explains why other nations have finally got a handle on it. Thereby quashing their pandemic.

In America, where testing remains mostly unavailable due to inaction at the Federal level, only social distancing (actions at the state levels) have diminished this pandemic. Velocity is still increasing. But acceleration has slightly diminished in some venues. So the president declares it will end in a week. A 30 second attention span makes it impossible for him to understand the different between velocity and acceleration.

No problem. He is preaching to people who all but want to be brainwashed.

He refuses to admit his inactions are why we don't have necessary widespread testing that other nations have and have successfully implemented.

No problem. Just blame it all on the WHO. Who has Trump not yet blamed for anything? Well he did not yet blame 'The Who'.

I still cannot get on his enemies list. I blame him.