Musings about Democracy

I have been reflecting about the upheavals in recent months as we approach the national election. Biden resigns (read – pushed out), Trump is almost assassinated, and we have a Democratic ticket that not one person voted for.

I want to share my thoughts about the transfer from Biden to Harris as the presidential candidate. This is not a partisan topic. If the Republicans pulled the same stunt it would be equally disturbing.

I was surprised that people were shocked at Biden’s “sudden” cognitive failure at the debate with Trump. Ummm…no. I have been watching his decline for several years. Maybe the Mainstream Media don’t focus on his many slip-ups, but after watching him fall down stairs, talk to dead people, fall asleep during meetings, misspeak about facts, (yeah, and sniff girls’ hair) I was concerned. He was not presenting himself as someone who is strong enough or mentally healthy enough to be the leader of the free world. Don’t get me wrong. He served the country for decades and that should be acknowledged. I don’t agree with his politics but I respect his long-time service and commitment to our country.

With that said, a responsible Democratic Party – they had to have seen this, and if they didn’t they are either clueless or liars or have an agenda – should have approached him well before the 2024 primaries to say, “Mr. President, you have served the USA admirably for decades and we are grateful. But we think it’s time to bring in a new, younger candidate to continue your legacy.” Why wasn’t his staff transparent? And who is really running the country since he’s not able to?

Nope – they continued to prop him up, let him go through the primaries and once they watched the debate meltdown and realized he wouldn’t win against Trump they panicked and forced him out. This is the action of a democratic republic? He graciously said he was stepping aside for the sake of the country, but I personally believe he wanted to stay but was kicked out.

This is what is frightening to me as someone who loves representative democracy. Kamala Harris didn’t even make it to Iowa in 2020. No one wanted her as president. And now, she and her presumptive VP pick are both installed as the Democratic ticket WITHOUT ONE VOTE. Is that a concern to anyone else but me? Is it okay that a presidential candidate gets booted out at the last minute because senior leaders suddenly realize he’s not going to win? Those of you who voted for Biden – does that work for you? Those of you who voted for Trump…would your vote have changed if you were voting against a different candidate? Is it okay that candidates are on the ticket without the vote of the people?

I am wrestling with this – it just seems really odd that it’s okay for a cabal of Democrats to change horses mid-stream and think it’s acceptable.

I would be curious to hear your thoughts – if you think this was an appropriate way to install a party’s ticket, let me know. I guess what is frustrating to me is that President’s Biden’s mental health was not a surprise before the 2024 primaries, and it could have been handled with transparency and integrity. But that is just me.

On a side note, I do find it disappointing that Biden picked Harris because he promised to pick a Black woman. How about picking a qualified candidate and if it happens to be a Black woman, then that is great! Let’s stop putting people in race or gender boxes and pick the best people to lead this great nation. When a person is selected to fit that box there will always be an asterisk as to whether that person was really worthy or just a statistic.