
PHOTO by Doug Mills/The New York Times
I wouldn’t believe Donald Trump if his tongue were notarized.”
Alair Townsend, Budget Director and Deputy Mayor, New York City, 1980s
Some of you might take offense at what I am going to say, but if you can get through this, perhaps you will understand the point of what I am saying. You may want to chastise me for being “political”, but that is not what I am doing.
I am, however, pointing out (based on results), how inept and inadequate Trump has been as a leader during this pandemic, which is simply a microcosm of his entire presidency. The only regret I have is that I have not spoken out every single day on behalf of the value of the truth this President has so blatantly disregarded.
Thanks to Trump, who denied the seriousness of the Coronavirus and called it “a hoax devised by the Democrats” and an insignificant problem to be “treated like the flu” that would “just wash away and float through and miraculously disappear”, there was no action taken early on, and that has led to a rapid spread of the virus with a total lack of Federal leadership. He resisted testing as it would make his numbers look bad, which gives us practically no data on which to drive our decisions. Subsequently, very little testing has been done in spite of his promise of “millions being available to anyone who wants one”…. So we are left to our own devices to figure this out.
Please take a few minutes to read this. https://medium.com/@tomaspueyo/coronavirus-act-today-or-people-will-die-f4d3d9cd99ca
It is an excellent consolidation of data by a friend of mine’s son, who is a really bright, reputable guy. He’s given a TED Talk, has an MBA from Stanford, etc. This doesn’t make him an expert, but right now, we are the best we’ve got and if nothing else, his research and the way he presents it brings a lot of clarity to a plethora of information. For one, it helped me understand the urgency and imminent need for social distancing.
Up until the last few days, Trump tried to downplay the severity of the problem by bringing attention to the fact some people with the virus were even going to work and his fellow political leaders encouraged people to go to their local pubs and restaurants.
It is only now (2 ½ months late) that he has finally succumbed to the seriousness of the pandemic. It has proven to be a reality he can’t reconstruct with lies that support his personal wants and needs. It’s a force he can’t manipulate with his intimidation. The virus isn’t a “yes-man”. It doesn’t care about what Trump thinks about it, it doesn’t worry about being fired or ridiculed.
The virus is the virus – a reality he couldn’t reconstruct to make himself look like the most wonderful President that ever existed on planet earth. The truth tracked him down (it always will) and he finally had to face it.
However, his propensity for deception delayed his response to reality, (China gave us plenty of warning) and it has cost people their lives – with more coming.
As the American Protector in Chief, he has been more focused on himself and avoiding the virus because it wasn’t good for “his numbers” or the Market, both of which would hurt his chances for re-election. Until just two days ago, he has blatantly and irresponsibly disregarded the #1 rule for safety and shaken the hands of everyone around him, increasing the possibility of spreading the disease to others.
Trump supporters always hate it when anyone points out his gross inadequacies. They put their heads in the sand, and like children, they cover both ears and yell, “la-la-la”. In fact, most of them probably stopped reading this after the first few sentences.
Like Trump, his base absolutely refuses to admit the facts and they are delusional about his behaviors. “Yeh, yeh, yeh– that’s just Trump being Trump” they say. Well, I will not overlook the yadda-yadda-yaddas. I will not be silent about his inadequacy as a leader. “This is not the time for politics,” they say (right after Trump denies any responsibility and blames Obama).
I disagree. I think this is the absolute right time to draw attention to his irresponsible actions, reactions and inactions, because if I don’t, his supporters will let them drift off into thin air along with all the other yadda-yadda-yaddas. I don’t write this to be political. I write this so you won’t forget the last 2 ½ months and the dire consequences of Trump’s inept leadership.
I have stepped over to the GOP side and looked. I have listened to Fox News, Rush Limbaugh and read Breitbart news and repeatedly, the facts keep getting in the way of their words having any viability. The Trump administration’s basic incompetence and the damage caused by GOP policies of cutting the CDC’s funding aside, the truth is, partisanship and rhetoric coming from the Republican Party and their biased media sources, have had dire consequences. They include slowing down the process of getting emergency funding and dragging down the speed and efficacy of testing and diagnosing the true nature of the problem.
But the biggest problem has been the disinformation that resulted in turning medical experts’ fears and sound advice into political footballs. Words matter. People listen. People follow. Polls indicate that as a result of Trump’s downplaying the seriousness of the virus and his subsequent inactions, up until very recently, over 40% of Republicans did not believe the Coronavirus even existed!
The facts, the pure simple reality I can see and hear with my own eyes and ears, defy every word being spoken. Trump denies having said something he said the day before, (even though it’s recorded on video). He lies continuously about everything. His presidential address to the nation on Coronavirus was riddled with so many errors, it triggered an economic panic. And let’s not forget his words:…“As of right now and yesterday, anybody that needs a test [can have one], that’s the thing, and the tests are all perfect, like the letter was perfect, the transcription was perfect.”
Really??? As of today, here in the USA, we have (finally) conducted a total of 33,000 tests. In the tiny country of South Korea, they conduct 15,000 tests DAILY! My internal moral code is continuously repulsed. Trump cannot be trusted. It’s up to us.
It all comes down to personal responsibility.
We must use our common sense, wash our hands, don’t touch our faces, get good sleep, eat healthy foods and maintain social distance. Even though you may not have symptoms, you could be a carrier, so stay at home if you can.
And remember, there is a reality. It’s called truth and it’s bigger than any of us…bigger than our political opinions and judgments, bigger than our egos, fears, wants and needs. Regardless of our views, or how it makes us look, we must seek the truth, speak the truth and trust the truth even when it is uncomfortable. The degree to which we are in alignment with reality (truth) is the degree to which we can make decisions that are in alignment with life!
Take care of yourselves and each other. Be well my friends.
Self Mastery Update:
I am doing one-on-one coaching, but I have cancelled all my personal and professional courses. The next public Basic course is scheduled for May 22-24/ follow-up June 1 evening and the next Advanced will be June 24-26/follow-up July 6 evening.
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