Former Republican Max Boot’s prose brings the title of this post into vivid clarity:
The presidency’s idiocy is matched by that of Republican governors in states such as Florida (where coronavirus cases increased by 277 percent in the past two weeks), Texas (+184 percent) and Arizona (+145 percent). They were slow to declare lockdowns and quick to end them. They also refused to impose statewide mask mandates — and, in the case of Texas and Arizona, tried to prevent municipalities from imposing their own rules — even though studies show that wearing masks can reduce transmission by as much as 85 percent.
This toxic imbecility is getting people killed. But recall the adage that “every nation gets the government it deserves.” Trump and the Trumpy governors did not seize power by force. They were elected by constituents who, in some cases, see masks as the spawn of the devil. [WaPo]
Toxic imbecility – oh, I envy that turn of phrase.
For those who admire and want “strong leaders,” well, Boot’s description is very apt for what you get. The highly hierarchical, You will fall into line! toxic atmosphere of the GOP leads to third-raters such as DeSantis, Kemp, and Pence ending up in positions of responsibility – and screwing it up badly. The aphorism that Republicans fall into line is a curse upon America.
If I had been asleep since 2015 and just woke up, I’d assume I was in hell simply based on the actions of the governors of Florida, Georgia, Texas, Arizona, and so many other states, because they are exhibiting such terrible, terrible judgment – and I wouldn’t understand why.
I wouldn’t understand why.
