Has America Lost Its Ability to Laugh?
By Lavonn Brown
In 2006, Trump bought 1400 acres in northeastern Scotland. He envisioned a world-class golf resort lined with luxury homes. About the same time, a wind farm was being considered. It would be built in view of Trump's golf course. Trump tried to block it, saying it would damage Scottish tourism. In a hearing on the issue in 2012, a member of the Scottish parliament asked for Trump's evidence that tourism would be damaged. Trump responded, "Well, first of all, I am the evidence. I am more of an expert than the people you'd like me to hire. . . I am considered a world-class expert in tourism." The room broke out in laughter and parliament members rolled their eyes. They built the wind farm. (See article, "In The Rough," by Ross Choma in Mother Jones, Sept/Oct, 2020.)
When did America lose its ability to laugh at Trump's brand of flimflam? After all, we have been hearing it for years. After describing an America in shambles, he said, "I alone can fix it" (Republican Convention, July, 2016). Where is the laughter?
In an interview, he said, "I'm speaking with myself, number one, because I have a great brain . . my primary consultant is myself" (Mar. 16, 2016). Again, where is the laughter?
In yet another interview, he said, "I'm like a very smart person" (July 11, 2015). On another occasion, he said, "I'm a stable genius." Where is the laughter?
Referring to people whom he called the elite, he said, "I have a much better apartment; I am richer than they are; I am smarter than they are; I became president and they didn't."
Where is the laughter?
As Americans, we have watched Trump's steady march toward authoritarianism. He insists that if you are president, you have absolute authority to do what you wish. He ignores scientific and military advisors, intelligence agencies, and law and order forces. Instead, he relies on gut level experience. And nobody laughs.
He denies the seriousness of the virus epidemic, saying it will go away like a miracle. He fails to develop a national strategy for dealing with it. He continues to come up with fake remedies. He listens to anyone but his medical advisers. And nobody laughs.
He courts hostile powers to assist him in elections. "Russia, are you listening . . . ?" Yes, Russia is listening. What is behind his regular calls to Putin? Could it be that he is asking Putin for advice on how he can do for America what he has done for Russia, how he can become its Supreme Leader. And nobody laughs.
Some of us are crying a lot. Why? Because our democracy is at stake.
Now he is attempting to dismantle the U. S. Postal Service so mail-in ballots will not be counted. A few weeks before election, the American people find themselves defending the Postal Service against presidential attack. Trump admits that his motive is that he fears mail-in ballots would make his election less likely. And the entire world laughs.
America, are you laughing? Perhaps November 3rd will be the ideal time to begin laughing again.
— Lavonn Brown is a retired minister living in Norman, OK with his wife, Norma. He said that writing this made him feel much better.
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