Bumpy ride begins

Dear Editor,

This coronavirus pandemic continues to rage unchecked through our nation, with almost 5 million known infections and over 160,000 deaths — the highest such rates in the world. And these numbers are rising. The impact of this on our economy and the lives of everyday citizens trying desperately to provide for their families has been catastrophic.

Had we fully implemented the science-based nationally coordinated efforts needed, we could have successfully quashed this virus and been able to begin safely reopening both our economy and schools as most other developed nations in the world are now doing.

Instead, our president stubbornly refuses to face the reality of this pandemic and to provide the leadership so desperately needed, instead embracing misinformation and a kind of “positive thinking” characterized by denial, magical thinking and outright delusion. He attacks the science and the experts who actually know what needs to be done, and tells us that America is in “great shape” thanks to him and that this virus will just miraculously “go away.”

At the same time, he and the GOP are working to dismantle what remains of “Obamacare” — including protection for those with pre-existing conditions — and to quietly undermine Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.

While all this is happening, our intelligence community recently informed us that Russia is once again actively messing with our election process to help President Donald Trump get re-elected (surprise!), while three Republican Senators are serving as funnels for associated Russian disinformation. And what was our Commander-in-Chief’s response to reports of Russia putting bounties on our servicemen in Afghanistan? A deafening silence. Let that sink in.

Meanwhile, Trump keeps pushing the blatantly false claim that mail-in voting will be “rife with fraud,” while his postmaster works to slow down mail delivery as the November election approaches. He even floated the idea of postponing the election due to the health risks entailed, despite his pronouncements that it is under control enough to fully reopen our economy and schools.

Then there are the many darkly alarming personality features which we have witnessed playing out over the past 4 years, clearly pointing to the painful truth that this man is incapable of serving anyone but himself.

So, buckle up, America — it’s going to be an increasingly bumpy ride leading up to Nov. 3. And please vote, and vote wisely. History is watching.

Dale E. Buonocore,

Warren

The pressure remains

Dear Editor,

The following poem, written in the 1930s by a black many, Langston Hughes, expresses the overwhelming racial pressure black people lived with in those years. That same pressure is still with black Americans today and that pressure may now be approaching the response expressed in the last line of his poem. White America, stand up for our black brothers and sisters.

“Lenox Avenue Mural”

What happens to the dream deferred?

Does it dry up

like a raison in the sun?

or fester like a sore —

And then run?

Does it stink like rotten meat?

Or crust and sugar over —

like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

Joe Priddy,

Scandia