He’s surrounded by enablers

Donald Trump’s abysmal debate performance has capped his continuing demonstration of incompetence, greed, immaturity, misogyny, and racism. I need not relate inspectors general fired, whistleblowers attacked, government functions subverted for personal gain, repeated lies, personal attacks, white supremacists endorsed, justice obstructed, presidential powers overstepped, and indeed civilized government abandoned.

It is time we ponder whether this unfortunate episode was solely the product of one malignant personality or whether there was in fact a “Black Lagoon” which gave birth to and sustained this “creature.” Perhaps thoughts go to William Barr who distorted the Mueller Report and appears primed to use a normally independent law enforcement office for purely political ends.

Postmaster Louis Dejoy appears to be actively attempting to undermine mail-in voting. Perhaps thoughts go to Stephen Miller or Kellyanne Conway or other White House staffers. Maybe consideration is owed to the many “executives” who are filling positions for which they cannot gain confirmation, even in a Republican-controlled Senate.

Then there are numerous state officials who have gerrymandered districts to reduce the impact of minority voters, or Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas, who tried to limit ballot drop off locations to one per county before the courts invalidated this attempt at voter suppression.

Despite the unethical self dealing above, my nominee for the greatest Trump enablers goes to the Republican Senate and specifically Cory Gardner. Aside from being rubber stamps for much of Trump’s agenda, confirming partisan judges (after refusing to consider many Barack Obama nominees) and enabling many executive actions free of oversight (gutting environmental regulations, counterproductive treaty withdrawals, sabotaging many trade arrangements), they enabled Trump to escape accountability for multiple high crimes and misdemeanors.

Cory Gardner personally derailed justice in this. More importantly, he is part of the “Black Lagoon” we can do something about! Please vote!

TOM THOMAS Louisville