Divided, Distracted, Downtrodden: The Social and Political Reality in America Today
As America confronts the coronavirus, we are hamstrung because of previous efforts to keep us divided, distracted, and downtrodden. Politics in America is poison. Our president is much more comfortable leading divisive rallies than he is comforting the American people. People are further distracted by a president seeking to blame the virus on China rather than recognizing it as a threat we all share in common as human beings. Even the idea of helping people by sending them checks may be "means-tested," with poorer people receiving less or even no money.
We need new leadership (Trump and Biden aren't the answer, even as figureheads). We need a new national ethos -- call it common wealth for common health. We need a system that places people first, not corporations. We need a government that isn't bought and paid for and that is responsive to our needs.
It's time for fundamental change, because COVID-19 won't be the last big challenge we face. There are more to come.