You Better Think (think)

Three thought experiments on a Saturday night.

Thought experiment I:  Hillary is elected in November ’16 & then proceeds, for months, to make ludicrous, inflammatory, and plain-old guano-infused nonsensical comments online and at public and private events.  How many Democrats within and outside of the Beltway would be saying it’s time to give VP and harmonica-enthusiast Tim-Bo a shot at the Big Chair?  I would wager far more Democrats than the number of non-alternate reality feckless GOPers who can barely manage to give America’s unhinged Chief Executive even a mild side-eye. 

Thought experiment II:  If our country had a parliamentary form of government, would Trump have made it this long?  As weak as he really is, I personally believe that Republican back-benchers would have ousted him a couple of months ago, just like Thatcher was bounced by a Tory revolt in ’90.   

Thought experiment III: A hurricane devastates Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and ANY of the other 2016 presidential candidates, Democratic or Republican, resides at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.  How would they be faring in terms of relief and recovery efforts for our fellow Americans: better or worse than the current occupant of the Oval Office?

In solidarity.

Omniscient Waffles

From the Rhodium-Plated Igloo of S. MacCune

The Right Reverend of the Church of the Latter Day Dude (Reformed)

Pinch-hitting for your regular contributor today.  Apparently he is too engrossed with Sinclair Lewis’ “It Can’t Happen Here” to bother posting.  Not sure if he is more focused on the portrayal of small-town Vermont life in the 1930s or the whole “rise of fascism in America” bit.  Probably both…in equal measure.

Personally, I believe we wouldn’t be facing these extremely related challenges today if we had elected Senator Fred Harris in ’76.   Mark my words, with the populist left-but-understands-DC Harris, Reagan would never have been elected in ’80.  Of course GHW Bush might have emerged victorious in ’84 and ’88, and the timeline could have re-set itself.  Our universe is only so elastic when it comes to alternative histories, never mind what the physicists say about infinite possibilities.  They are all highly degreed clods angling for that sweet, sweet grant money or a TV gig.  Never forget that.

Since we are on the topic of Conventional Wisdom, don’t for a minute accept the belief that electoral slates can’t be shattered; they are as fragile and ephemeral as Meatloaf’s protagonist’s promises in “Paradise by the Dashboard Light.”  I’m no expert on Howard County affairs, but if a primary electorate is focused on booting one candidate in favor of someone they perceive to be a better alternative, it doesn’t matter if she or he is on Team Bees-Knees.  She or he is going to get got – so long as Candidate B has sufficient resources, the right platform, the will, and the moment behind her or him.  And if Candidate A is weak(er) in one or more of those areas, like Detroit Tigers radio legend Ernie Harwell used to say, she or he might find themselves standing there “like a house by the side of the road…” wondering what happened.

Trust me, I know a thing or two about insurgents.  I did some work in Central America in the early 80s…but never mind, I can tell from his readership stats that you favor posts about Board of Education members who go off the rails or County Council shenanigans.   

Just know this, anyone who claims to have all of the answers is a liar, a fool, or probably both…in equal measure.

Stay tuned, etc…