Examining the role politics plays in determining our country’s future
TMM was recently told, by a Progressive, The Modern Moderate is too conservative. A Conservative-leaning Moderate said TMM seems too progressive. So we’re where we want to be – in the middle. If both sides are complaining, you’re somewhere between them. TMM was asked if we’re a Democratic Party blog. The answer is, emphatically, NO. Then why have we criticized President Trump and Republicans so much in recent months?
Crises reveal leaders’ true character. Think former President Harry Truman (D-MO), with a sign on his desk: “The Buck Stops Here”. He accepted his responsibility to make tough decisions – and stand by them. Now think President Trump, asked about the slow distribution of test kits during the COVID-19 crisis: “No, I don’t take responsibility at all.” Instead, he blamed former President Obama (his favorite scapegoat when things go badly).
Crises reveal leaders’ true character. Think British Prime Minister Winston Churchill during World War II: “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat.” Now think President Donald Trump during the COVID-19 crisis, asked how long it will last: “Some of the doctors say it will wash through, it will flow through.” Virtually no medical experts agreed with that view.
To be fair, we want leaders to reassure us, preventing panic. But Moderates also demand they tell us the TRUTH. If our president is NOT telling us the truth, he is either: Uninformed or misinformed. OR Informed – and lying to us. Either is dangerous. The first, because it leads to bad decisions. The second, because it begs the question: what else is he willing to lie about? We all need to decide – in times of crisis, do we want a SALESMAN or a STATESMAN to lead us?
Modern Moderates have an urgent request for politicians, hacks, and talking heads on all sides: for the good of our country, put up or shut up. If you can’t back up what you’re saying with facts and fairness – PLEASE SHUT UP.
Democrats are desperate to defeat Donald Trump (the Autocrat); but their current leading candidate, Bernie Sanders, is a Socialist. Many believe defeating Trump, panderer to his far-right base, requires a nominee appealing to Independents, suburban women, and Moderates, weary of Trump’s erratic behavior, vindictive ego, and endless power grabs (the other “P-Grabs” he enjoys).
With smoke and mirrors employed by both sides in this bitter impeachment debate, deciding who to believe is difficult. But one thing is clear: if Barack Obama’s actions had remotely resembled Trump’s (including coddling dictator Kim), Republicans now defending Trump would have SCREAMED for Obama’s impeachment. What if Obama had: