HERE COMES DA JUDGE…PETE BUTTIGIEG!
Who would have ever dreamed just a little over a decade ago an African American would be elected as President of the United States? And yet, Barrack Obama not only won the election in 2008 but also reelection in 2012 DESPITE all REPUBLIKAN efforts to derail his Presidency at every turn. Who would have thought that a Hollywood actor, a pitch man for Twenty Mule Team Borax would become President of the United States, and literally end the Cold War with the Soviet Union while surviving a would be assassin’s bullet? But Ronald Reagan did just that, and also served two terms in office. Who would have ever dreamed that a peanut farmer from Plains, Georgia would bring Egypt and Israel to the peace table to sign a historic treaty? But Jimmy Carter did it. Who would have believed just a couple of years ago that a self proclaimed billionaire real estate developer/game show host would become the most controversial and talked about occupant of the Oval Office since JFK, and NOT for the right reasons? So now who’s going to believe that the gay millennial mayor of South Bend, Indiana is going to run for President of the United States against a Democratic primary field that already has more contenders than the upcoming Kentucky Derby in my home state??? I’ll believe it, because I believe our country is ready for an individual who talks about unification and has a forward looking vision for the middle class in our nation rather than one who has consistently used divisive rhetoric and actions to return us to a day gone by that REALLY wasn’t all that GREAT to start with. I chuckled when I first heard this guy declare for the primary election a few weeks back, like most everybody else. After all, we had Big Joe Biden in the wings, and Bernie burning up the campaign trail along with a cast of others two cumbersome to name. Well, guess what? Biden has proven himself to be incapable of getting out of his own way, Bernie has become so far left of center that he is a true socialist and none of the rest of the pack has distinguished themselves in ANY meaningful way. Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, Cory Booker, Beto O’Rourke, Kirsten Gillibrand-none of these potential opponents to Trump has demonstrated any real charisma or fortitude of note. And then along come “Mayor” Pete (I hereafter will refuse to refer to him as “Mayor” Pete-it sounds like a children’s cartoon series on PBS in the afternoon instead of a genuine human being who seems sincerely interested in bringing our country back together again). He makes appearances on CNN, on FAUX NEWS on “Morning Joe” and all of a sudden people are beginning to pay attention. His speech yesterday to kick off his campaign was as uplifting as watching Tiger Woods win his FIFTH Green jacket and his FIFTEENTH major championship. It was so refreshing to hear someone with a positive message rather than someone with a big chip on his shoulder wanting to pick a fight if you don’t agree with his absurd policies, like the immigration catastrophe he and whiz kid Stephen (the KILLER) Miller have created all by themselves. A day without Trump is a day to be savored indeed, like a fine wine and a good cigar. At any rate, back to Pete Buttigieg (pronounced budha judge). Buttigieg, 37, is a former Navy intelligence officer who has been mayor of South Bend for eight years. He’s risen in the early 2020 polls as he positions his campaign as a way to move past the partisan battles of Washington and the internal squabbles of the bruising 2016 Democratic primary. A Rhodes Scholar and a Christian who speaks seven languages, his campaign is rooted in his fluency in a particular dialect: the language of the overlooked Midwestern voter. His announcement speech was light on policy: he didn’t mention Medicare for All or raising taxes. Instead, Buttigieg organized his message around three pillars—freedom, security and democracy—as he sought to reframe progressive issues like reproductive rights and climate change in ways that connect with Midwestern conservatives. Buttigieg describes abortion rights as a matter of freedom, climate change as a question of security, gerrymandering as a question of democracy. When he talked about climate change, Buttigieg didn’t endorse the Green New Deal (an idea he once called “the right beginning”), but instead echoed President Barack Obama’s frustration with Republican inaction. “You don’t like our plan?” he said. “Fine. Show us yours!” Most of all, Buttigieg returned throughout his speech to the idea of generational change. He cast the election as a choice between America’s future and its past. “Such a moment calls for hopeful and audacious voices from communities like ours,” he said. “And yes, it calls for a new generation of leadership.” Buttigieg is the first serious presidential contender who is openly gay, and the atmosphere around his speech was infused with the exuberance and anguish that has characterized the recent history of the LGBTQ rights movement. I have watched Joe Scarborough and Mika on “Morning Joe” for quite some time now, and aside from their disdain for Donald Trump, which I enthusiastically endorse, I have never seen them talk in such a positive vein about a candidate. I think the rest of the Democratic voters should start taking this man and his message more seriously as we move closer to the primaries next year. He is the perfect foil for Trump, the anti Christ of my generation, the Baby Boomers. While many of my generation, especially the privileged wealthy white males, will look down their noses at this man, his religious beliefs and his sexuality and the millennial in general, I say give them a chance. They certainly couldn’t do much more damage than has already been done by my generation of "BABY BOMBERS"!!!! Just take a look around-infrastructure crumbling, total political gridlock in Washington, gun violence unchecked, health care and an educational system which nobody can afford anymore and are either broken down or corrupted, women’s rights and civil rights rolled back like it was 1954 again, the list of monumental failures is endless. Something has to change or our country will cease to exist as we have known it for the last two hundred and forty three years. Why not start with our first Millennial President? It might even encourage them to get out and vote. The only way things are going to change is to change the ones who hold the power. Start with Trump and Mitch McConnell and work your way down the list-VOTE THEM OUT IN 2020!!!!
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About Mike ColeBorn in Hamilton, OH but a proud Kentuckian since age two. One brother and three sisters. Suburban, Catholic middle-class upbringing. Attended Jefferson Community College and Pasadena Community College. Proud father of four and grandfather to seven, and most of all, a concerned American citizen! Are you??? Categories |