Decision Time is Getting Close

As the Democrats wrap up their convention I thought I would critique the platform they came up with. If a disclaimer if called for at this point let me be very clear in announcing that I am not a Joe Biden fan and did not plan to vote for him prior to reading this platform. Spoiler Alert: After reading the platform I still don’t plan to vote for the Democratic ticket.

While reading the 2020 Democratic Party Platform I couldn’t help but notice that is sounded very familiar. I reasoned that it should sound familiar because I follow politics and their platform should follow what they have been saying during the primaries and speeches over the last year or so.

I was not surprised that they started with an acknowledgement of the indigenous tribes of America. The way it was phrased left me feeling like they were starting out with an apology. My mind raced back to our previous president who seldom missed an opportunity to apologize for America. I didn’t like it then and I don’t like it now. A point missed in many of these apologies is that many of the tribes mentioned fought wars before we arrived and saw us as invaders to their land, so they fought us. I acknowledge that there have been many actions taken by the United States over its two hundred plus year history that can be questioned. I would also like to point out that we have more people trying to join our imperfect experiment than any other country in the world. People risk death and serious injury to come to our shores and then hope to enter either legally or illegally. We must be doing something right, don’t you think?

In the first paragraph of the platform they mention that protest is among the highest forms of patriotism. I wonder if they forgot the word “Peaceful” before protest or intentionally left it out. My guess is they intentionally left it out because Democratic mayors across the country have been allowing what they call protests and what I call riots to take place in their cities. How would you like to own land in the 6 blocks of Seattle that was given up to the protestors, or on the “Magnificent Mile” in Chicago where rioters looted and destroyed buildings. One BLM representative can be seen on many podcasts saying that looting is fine, it should be considered reparations. The Democratic Mayor of Chicago, and all of the Democratic mayors that Trump offered federal troops to, has said we don’t need them and we don’t want them. I wonder if the business owners who lost millions in inventory and property damage feel the same? When rioters in Seattle took over a portion of the downtown area the Democratic mayor compared it to closing off areas for block parties and made her “Summer of Love” statement.

In the third paragraph they call climate change an “Urgent global crisis.” That’s when I remembered where I had heard much of this before. There are many portions of the 2020 Platform that are copied and pasted from the 2008 platform, more or less. After that convention former Democratic VP Al Gore predicted the Polar Ice Caps would melt by 2014 and shortly before this convention Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY) said the world will end in 12 years if climate change is not dealt with. I don’t think so, but maybe they will be right one day and not get a chance to say “I told you so!”

I found other similarities between the convention Biden was nominated as the Democratic Vice Presidential Candidate (2008) and the convention that Biden was nominated as the Democratic Presidential Candidate (2020). My question is why weren’t any of these urgent problems solved during his eight years as The Vice President of the United States? Oh, I’m sure our hard working media will investigate that, aren’t you?

 2008, our government has been put at the service of the powerful, 2020, leveling the economic playing field.                                             2008, make good jobs with good wages available to all, 2020, raising wages and promoting workers rights.                                               2008, a fair shot for all, 2020, achieving racial justice and equality.                                                                                                               2008, Quality and affordable health care is a basic right & end the outrage of unaffordable, unavailable health care, 2020, bring down drug prices                                                                                                                                                                                                                 2008, We will invest in our infrastructure and green technology, 2020, green new deal.

There are more, I may touch on those later. 

This is one of the problems I have seen in our political system for many years. In my opinion, The Democrats didn’t even bother to make up new promises. These are recycled promises form the last time Biden ran, served 8 years, and didn’t accomplish any of the above. Hey! we’re not that stupid! At least add something!

The racial thing is a big concern for me also. It reminds me of the saying, “If you repeat a lie enough it becomes the truth.” Recent surveys have shown that most Blacks feel our country is not racist. They talk about “systemic racism” and point to cities that have Black mayors, Black chief’s of police and Black prosecutors (Like Chicago). Who are they saying is perpetrating the systemic racism?

I hope this tired mantra of “We will protect our Black brothers” that the Democrats roll out every four years fails and we can continue to improve the country.

If Chicago, Baltimore, New York City, Los Angeles, or any number of other Democratic cities is your idea of perfection with their slums, riots and violence-Vote for Joe! I just hope there are only 49% of you out there.