National Day of Mourning?

I think next Tue or Wed should be National Day of Mourning."  I can't decide which.  Anyone who celebrates, other than one of the two major party candidates, should seriously consider his/her sanity. As an editorial in today's News correctly noted, the election for President of the United States is between "a lunatic and a liar."  One is "a huckster who has exploited the worst natures of this country."  The other has no "respect for truth or the law."

This editorial began with the headline, "Election fails the nation."  It's a good piece and has nailed a lot of it.  But I think the editor missed a very important point.  It's the distinct possibility that it's not the election that has failed, but the American people.  We have finally got what we deserve!  I had a brief discussion with former Congressman Tom Davis at a college reunion about this subject.  He's written a book, The Partisan Divide.  I suggested just that, that Americans have exactly what they deserve.  He didn't at all agree.  He cited, as in his book, systemic difficulties in Congress (and I would submit all of government), that only voters can overcome.  We can agree on that.  But my contention remains, that Americans through their lethargy and their satisfaction with the modern version of "bread and circuses" have finally receive their due. We have accepted the bawdry and worse behavior of our government and politicians for years and years.  We have because they have allowed us to have practically everything.  Yet, like Faustus, Americans have sold their collective soul to the Devil.

Back to the editorial.  He thinks this is likely a one-time deal, an election that won't be allowed to happen again.  I have my doubts, pessimist and cynic that I am.  I don't see any changes.  First, what right-minded, sane person would consider running for office?  The LameStreams are overtly biased.  They no longer perform their duties as "tribunes" of the common people.  They are more interested in the lurid, in things that may have happened when candidates were in high school (note Mitt Romney at Cranbrook) than how they have messed up in office, broken laws again and again, taken advantage of others to get themselves ahead, etc.  (Don't blow a gasket.  Of course I'm talking about Hillary and Bill Clinton, at least one of whom belongs in jail.  You or I or David Petraeus--unless you can work out a pretty good deal for yourself because of your position, past or present--would likely be there for the same or similar actions.  If you don't believe that, there's nothing I can write or say to change your mind, so don't bother.  But I'm also talking about Don Trump.  Do a little research and see how many little guys he's trampled over the years.)  We have come to accept as normal the abnormal.  (Note last week's rant about the newspaper article detailing how it's now perfectly fine to use obscenities in our speech.  We allow babies to be killed for the sake of convenience.  Our children dress like, well, look for yourself. Watch prime time television or movies; listen to what's now called "music."  Yeah, I know I sound like a doddering old fogy.)  Can we regain our souls?    I'm not so sure we can.

I am drawn back to the ridiculous endorsement of Clinton by the Free Press.  Of course it wasn't unexpected.  And I understand choosing her over Trump, although I don't agree.  (Remember, I don't agree with choosing either.)  But to insult me and other readers with she's "a prepared, mature choice" and "one of the best-prepared candidates for the Presidency of the last century" is beyond ridiculous.  In fact, it's reason to never, ever take the Free Press seriously again, as if I've taken it very seriously at any time since Ron Dzwonkowski retired as editorial page editor.  (Oh, we didn't always agree, but I found him to be reasoned and reasonable, always giving one with opposing views pause to think and rethink.)

BTW, I hope someone can refresh my memory.  (No, you don't really need to do that.  That's merely rhetoric.)  What is it again that Nixon and his aides did that was any worse than what Clinton and her aides have done?  For that matter, what about Obama and the IRS, the Justice Dept, the NSA, etc.?  Of course, for decades it was easy to dislike Richard Nixon.  And, no, I'm not a fan of his. He receive exactly what he deserved, maybe not even enough.  But what about others?  Why have they received free passes?  Why do so many people, often very ignorantly, merely excuse the latter with "Oh, that's different?"

And I have to add this.  I noted the other day that I have sent in my notarized "Declaration of Intent to Be a Write-In Candidate."  Karen is not at all happy about that, mostly concerned that' I'll get on "some government watch list."  Now, isn't that extremely frightening?  This is where we've arrived?  We are now so afraid of our own government??????  I think that we've reached such a point is the frightening thing.

So, which is it to be, Tue or Wed, the "National Day of Mourning?"