Where is the immunity pill for the country?
Two dates that I have dreamed of were national holidays, voting day, and, the decisions announced by the Supreme Court. I considered that these days away from the professional duties of the workday would allow the country, as a whole, to embrace the mechanics of democracy. At my age, I’ll not hold my breath for these dates to realistically be taken seriously. In the post-2020 elections, this dream — I hoped — would be closer to taking hold in the country’s political culture. But, here we are, still suffocating for a breath of fresh socio-political air.
The ongoing tit-for-tat following the first presidential debate in June 2024, the madness coming forth from the Supreme Court adds more comedy to the country without any relief. I fear that many may have seen the debate, but turned a blind eye to the events of today’s Court ruling. Teachers may not bring these issues to their classes. The average water-cooler talk may linger on the plans for the coming holiday. The newly minted college grad may spend more time worrying about student debt to be paid on a minimum wage pay rate. Where, then, are the honest discourse discussions on socio-political issues in the country? Have we, as a country, sunk so low as to know the evening sitcom listings more than the name of even one Supreme Court Justice? The pity that these, and similar questions, need to be asked demonstrates the low bar status of the populist.
Will there be a time when either or both of my dream dates be practiced as national holidays? One pleasure in that question is that one can still dream without worry of being charged (yet?) for their REM sleep.
Here are a couple of “fun” news coverages that show different points on the issue of presidential immunity.
