Think role model. Think dignity and respect. Think kindness and empathy. Think grace under pressure. Now think brazen disregard for others. Petulance, cruelty and downright meanness. Think disrespect and selfishness. Because, as a country, that’s where we are right now.
Let’s just briefly review a few activities that occurred over the last week or so. First, there was the super-spreader event on the White House lawn to introduce Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett in which almost no one wore masks or were socially distanced.
Then we witnessed what was probably the worst debate in human history. It contained little or no deep policy discussions. Instead, we saw Trump interrupt incessantly, act like a belligerent child, show no appreciation or empathy for Beau Biden—either his service to the country or his struggle with the most deadly form of brain cancer–or empathy for Hunter Biden who struggled with addiction—a malady that affects almost every extended American family in some way—including Trump’s own brother.
Then we learned that Trump and at least 14 members of the White House staff, as well as three Republican senators and former New Jersey governor Chris Christie contracted COVID allegedly at the White House Amy Coney Barrett event. Trump then headed to a fundraiser in New Jersey, even knowing that he had been exposed to COVID.
Then we saw the President whisked away from the White House in a dramatic nine-minute helicopter ride to Walter Reed. Upon his arrival, he was whisked away to his own private floor. We are not talking private room here. We are talking private floor with nine rooms known as Ward 71 with paneled office and conference rooms, a kitchen, dining room, bedrooms and more.
Two days later we saw Trump take a joy ride with Secret Service men who risked their own lives driving him around Walter Reed so that he could wave to his ardent fans standing near the hospital. Before he left the hospital, he tweeted, “Don’t be afraid of COVID. Don’t let it dominate your life.”
Then we saw him once again whisked away by yet another dramatic helicopter ride back to the White House where he walked up to a White House balcony for his Eva Peron moment, waving good-bye to the helicopter after removing his mask and putting it in his pocket. Then maskless, an infected Trump re-entered the White House, now an infected building given that two housekeeping staff were tested positive who were not in close proximity to the President. That means that the White House itself is a petri dish for COVID. Several White House workers greeted the returning president.
Now think taxpayer dollars spent on this little foray. Helicopter rides, dozens of armored cars, a cadre of doctors, all because Trump refused to follow the science and take appropriate precautions.
Then think about Trump’s tweet, “Don’t be afraid of COVID. Don’t let it dominate you.” Tell that to the literally thousands of families who have had a loved one die alone in a hospital bed—maybe a ward. They were unable to visit their family members. They were unable to say goodbye. Tell them not to let it dominate their lives.
Let’s be clear. If we don’t let COVID dominate our lives right now, we as a country will never get better. If we take appropriate actions, if we give this virus the respect it deserves, and take the recommended cautions, we can beat this. To act otherwise is irresponsible. End of story.
In Henry V, Shakespeare said, “I never heard so loud a voice issue from such an empty heart. It’s true what they say, “the empty vessel makes the greatest sound.” This country may soon become that empty vessel unless we restore in quick order the virtues of kindness, empathy, grace, humility, and knowledge.
To quote T.S. Eliot, The Hollow Men, “This is the way the world ends, not with a bang but a whimper.”
Maria Grant served as Principal-in-Charge of the Federal Human Capital practice of Deloitte Consulting. Since her retirement from Deloitte, she has focused on writing, music, reading, travel, gardening and nature.
Sylvia Maloney says
Eloquently said; thank you.
Maria Grant says
Thank you for your comment. Appreciate it.
Patricia Heaps says
Oh, look! Another anti-Trump piece wrapped up in “feelings” yet no real argument as to why Biden is the more qualified except to think “kindness and empathy”. Shameless lies and incessent condemnation seem to be at the core of his “campaign” – so much for kindness and empathy – and unity.
In the meantime, where are the credible , practical, and realistic ideas being proposed with regard to freedom, liberty, success, and law and order for the American people? Sure, you can vote Biden because he’s “not Trump” but be careful what you wish for. It’s patently obvious that Joe is physically and mentally unprepared to be President so that leaves us with Harris. This is why Nancy Pelosi’s machinations of the 25th Amendment “aren’t about Trump”. Just trying to grease the way for when Joe’s puppet master tells him to step down. And then where are we headed with a VP who was selected wholly on her gender and skin color. After all, she had to drop out of the primaries because she had no support even in her home state. This is who you want?
As for letting Covid continue to dominate our lives? We’ve done that since we were asked to give it 2 weeks to flatten the curve. Biden wondered why Trump was “in such a hurry” to reopen this country and has demonstrated that he would have no problem shutting it down again. Do we really want to go backwards? Again, be careful what you wish for.
Maria Grant says
Thanks for your comments. I respectfully disagree with all you’ve said.
Deirdre LaMotte says
What we “wish” for is a stable person as POTUS. What we wish for is a person who cares about all Americans, not just his /her followers. What we wish for is a President that makes us proud to be
Americans and knowing he has “our back”. What we wish for is competence in an Administration;
to have a group of experienced people who care about our future, not how many $$$$ he/she can extract
from it’s natural resources. What we wish for are people who love this country and ALL its citizens…
no matter their race, religion, orientation or wealth.
What we wish for is an end to this nightmare of greed and incompetence.
What I especially wish for is women having the right to decide what/when/if they reproduce. Not
the government.
Maria Grant says
Deirdre, thanks for your comments. Appreciate them.
Patricia Heaps says
My wish would be for an honest media that doesn’t hide Joe’s obvious frailties and his seamy underbelly. Aside from the baggage Hunter brings to the whole package, do you honestly see Joe as lasting four years – and I ask that in all seriousness. Having Kamala as the end game? This country survived eight years of Obama and it will survive eight of Trump – and come out the better for it.
Maria Grant says
You may be getting ahead of yourself to assume there will be eight years of Trump. I just don’t see that happening. I can assure you the country would not be better with another four years of divisive rhetoric and incompetence.
Bob Moores says
Don’t be disheartened by the negative comments, Maria. You are spot on. Trump’s divisiveness and corruption is doing to our country what decades of Putin’s efforts could not accomplish, dismantling our democracy. This self-promoting con artist has favored bigotry and white supremacy over racial justice, screwed up the environment for my grandchildren, and trashed the image of world leadership most of us were trying to build. His gods are money, power, and himself. Hopefully the nightmare reign of the world’s most dangerous man will end on January 20 next year. Then you will be assured that most folks agree with you.
Maria Grant says
Thanks for your comments Bob. I appreciate and agree with them. To be honest, what’s got me down is how many Americans still support this guy. Even those who are worse off as a result of his policies. I so hope you are right about January 20. Again thanks.