Staggering Inappropriateness

I seldom agree with George F. Will, especially regarding Ronald Reagan. George is Ronnie’s #1 fan.

I’m sorry, George, but air travel and telecommunications were a lot better before Reagan deregulated them. Reagan’s tax cuts did not pay for themselves by expanding the economy. Secretly selling arms to Iran and using the proceeds to fund guerrillas in Nicaragua should have gotten Reagan impeached.

I strongly agree with George’s column in today’s WaPo. George begins with a quote from Thomas Jefferson’s first Inaugural Address. “Every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle.” George and I have grossly different opinions, but we share the core principle that constitutional separation of powers has made America great.

We also agree that Trump’s inauguration yesterday was “memorable for its staggering inappropriateness.” Paraphrasing Donnie, “due to corrupt and horrible betrayals by others (Never Donnie. He’s never made a mistake in his life!), the pillars of our society are in complete disrepair.” That’s a “Feel Good” message not unlike Reagan’s “Morning in America”.

Quoting Donnie, “The 2024 election was the most consequential in American history.” Really, Donnie? The 1860 election led to the Civil War. The 1864 election took place while more than a million Americans were killing each other. The 1932 election faced 25% unemployment, the Dust Bowl, and the rise of fascism overseas. On a personal level, the 1968 election ensured that the Vietnam War would last long enough for me to serve 3 years active duty instead of 6 months and 7.5 years in the Reserves. Donnie’s 8th grade American History teacher should give me a delayed “F”.

George ends his column with a profound thought. “Most people realize around age 7 that the universe produces many disappointments. Then they shrug and go on with their lives. Today, many emotionally dilapidated obsessives experience either despair or euphoria about the inaugurations of presidents who come and go. Both groups should rethink what they expect from politics and why they do,”

As the Beatles sang, “Oo-Bla-Dee, Oo-Bla-Dah, Life goes on”. Trump and Trumnpism cannot last forever. I hope you are right, George.

By Ed Dufton