Why do elections have consequences ?: 7 examples
How often have we heard someone say, it doesn’t matter who they vote for, or who we elect to public office, because they’re all the same anyway? Although, there have been many cases of elected officials, who did not honorably fulfill their bond, which was supposed to be, to serve and represent their constituents, rather than their personal / political agenda, and / or their own interest, even Many of Those who always made this statement realized, after the 2016 presidential elections, that elections have consequences! Does anyone really believe that Donald Trump has behaved, in any way, like his competitor, not only in terms of his behavior, rhetoric / vitriol, etc., but in terms of his priorities, actions, etc.? With that in mind, this article will try, briefly, to consider, examine, review and discuss, 7 examples, of this reality and its meaning.
1. SCOTUS – Supreme Court: We have already witnessed how politics affects the Supreme Court and other federal court appointments. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has achieved a record number of lower court appointments, several of which were evaluated and deemed unqualified by the Bar Association. In 2016, McConnell refused to run for President Obama’s choice to fill a vacant seat on the Supreme Court, stating that he would not do so, in the last year of a president’s term. After the sad passing of Judge Ruth Ginsburg, many of these same Republican senators are pushing to ratify Trump’s next election to this position, even though it is so close to the election. Did someone use the word, hypocrites? Many issues, such as those relating to the election itself, voting rights, civil rights, immigration, balance of powers, women’s right to choose, etc., are potentially at risk with our established policies and can be determined by this Court!
two. Immediate / Short Term Policies: Trump’s many attempts to implement his personal priorities / agenda, through the use of Executive Orders, especially, related to the elimination / reduction of environmental regulations and the denial of Climate Change, and the questionable way in which he handled the pandemic, as well as his approach, to foreign relations. , clearly show, yes it matters, who we choose!
3. Longer-term impacts: Of course, his court appointments have long-term ramifications, but his attack on environmental protections, climate change denial, and economic policies are significant too! Once again, it is doubtful that many others will behave or proceed as he has.
Four. Priorities: What priorities of a president, in general, do they dictate, how he proceeds and where he places his emphasis! Rather than seeming to have positive priorities, Trump’s deciding factor often appears to be attacking anything associated with his predecessor.
5. Human, civil, women’s and LGBT rights: For almost four years, we have observed an attack on many of the rights, we have taken it for granted! We have never witnessed, in recent memory, a president who had the Trump attitude towards immigrants, certain ethnicities, civil rights, gay rights and the right of women to choose, etc.! How pervasive is this, especially when you consider how fervent its main supporters seem to be, and how their demeanor and rhetoric / vitriol seems to have enabled them?
6. Environment and climate: This President has probably destroyed much of the progress in the areas of environmental protection and climate change, which took decades to achieve! How many decades have we lost and can the nation and the planet afford this behavior, which does not seem to care or deny sustainable changes and needs?
7. Public health: Rather than letting health and science experts lead the way, when it comes to policy, regarding public health issues, such as policies to address this horrible pandemic, President Trump claims that he is a steady genius and that he knows more: than the experts. Given that the population of the United States is approximately 5% of the world, an average performance would mean that we would have a similar percentage of cases and deaths. Rather, we have about 20% of these metrics, and we should be concerned! Experience, expertise, judgment, character, and the way you decide make a significant difference!
Wake up America and make your vote count / matter by determining which candidate is best suited for the position, rather than your celebrity, entertainment value, rhetoric / promises etc! Will you try to become a more responsible voter?
