That’s Life: And yet I’m optimistic

I remain optimistic. I also have a buttload of gummies if anyone needs any.

For the record, a buttload is unit of measurement equalling 48 bushels, half of which would be a hogshead. I think it’s part of the metric system. This has been the educational portion of our column.

Sure, the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are galloping full-tilt toward us, one of the riders is the Fat Lady, and she’s singing “It’s the End of the World As We know It,” yet, I feel fine.

Did I mention I have gummies?

I’m an unabashed optimist and patriot. I find the Constitution is visionary although cracks in the system have been exposed in the way a mouse finds its way inside in November. I fly a flag in my yard and I stand for the national anthem but mostly because if I kneel I might not be able to get up. I’m not convinced my right hip was American made.

Funny, isn’t it, psychologically I feel the need to validate myself because even though I consider myself a moderate, in North Dakota, that makes me Che Guevara. Plus, I’m a journalist. That’s three strikes. According to the Derek Zoolander Center for Kids That Can’t Do Math Good.

Some Republicans have convinced themselves that they’re the only true patriots while Democrats are a bunch of gummie-eating welfare-queen woke gun-haters intent on destroying America. I’d call loving your country enough to want to make it better the highest order of patriotism.

Everyone’s got ideas. Compromising is called democracy.

I’m a fiscal conservative, a social liberal— but fiscally conservative in that I believe in investment in infrastructure and education because it pays off economically and with a more civil society. Of course, educated Americans are not in the best interest of some.

Democrats remain pitiful with their narrative. Biden hasn’t completely gotten the car out of the economic ditch but unemployment is low, inflation is slowing, retail spending is up, and the first major infrastructure bill since Eisenhower was passed with bipartisan support. You don’t hear about Democratic success stories much. Yet, most benefits to working families—Social Security, Medicare, the ACA, social safety nets—have come from Democrats. Try taking them away.

Tearing down 250 years of political evolution and norms (“The Deep State”), filling positions with unblinking sycophants, eliminating judicial and congressional checks and balances while echoing violent Hitlerisms... I dunno, based on civics classes, history, and current events, it doesn’t feel like it would pencil out well. I wonder if this election will be America’s much needed wakeup call or if we’ll keep hitting the snooze button.

The law. That’s where it all lies for me. Let the judicial system work. There are abundant checks and balances. If a Democrat is corrupt, let there be consequences. Bob Menendez oozes slime, and his case should move forward quickly and publicly. Credit to Republicans for moving decisively to excommunicate Congressman and former Super Bowl MVP George Santos.

Republicans have typically supported law enforcement and the American military, two institutions undermined and attacked by Trump because lawbreakers don’t appreciate law enforcement.

Republicans miscalculated, and created a monster, thinking they could control him. They could if they united behind the rule of law. A long list of former members of the Trump Administration have warned about him, exposed corruption and ineptitude, but only after leaving their positions. They’re right, but with less to lose, less credible. Then, there’s Trump’s obvious cognitive decline, his criminal psychosis, and his violent intentions to defy the Constitution and become a dictator. It’s not speculation. He’s saying it. I can’t believe a majority of American voters will support that.

Yet, I remain optimistic. Probably because I have gummies.

Every fever breaks. Or it kills you.

Ronald Reagan warned that the loss of democracy was always a generation away. Well, here we are. We’re approaching a pivotal moment. It could end us. But it could also rouse us from our complacency, reinvigorate civic involvement, and ultimately strengthen our democracy. A close call often inspires us to take stock. The state of the nation ultimately comes down to us. It will be a harrowing ride. But I have faith in the majority of American voters.