Double exposure

A  double-exposure of the capital dome in this morning's New York Times epitomizes the way I feel about the world right now. Nothing is in sync. COVID-19 is raging and predicted to get worse before a vaccine can control it. Medical staffs are exhausted physically and mentally, and death in America is a dominant theme. But anti-maskers still flaunt their beliefs in crowded rallies and parties, and even spit on fellow shoppers. In what way does this make sense?

The GOP, which has long stood for law and order, overt devotion to the constitution, and constancy in affairs of state, now supports a man who cares nothing about governing and defies the constitution openly and often. Despite reality (or maybe to spite reality) he declares the November election fraudulent. He and his followers (angry or power hungry or pardon seeking), send a ludicrous demand to the Supreme Court to cast out all the votes in four states. What? How does this make sense?

On Friday the Court denied the case—a court with a six-to-three conservative advantage. I am happy they did so; relieved even, but it adds to the dystopian focus. One might expect—and I'm sure Trump did—that the six very conservative judges would support his demand. Their denial, and the rejection of over 50 other election cases, is a welcome sign that some at least have the sense they were born with.

The legislature, however, is so out of focus they can barely see one another. The House sent over 200 bills to the Senate this year and none, zero, have received a hearing. Leader McConnell won his seat despite a 15% favorability rating in his home state (hmm) and retains enormous power. And so far he has refused to allow a vote on a bill that would help millions of families and small businesses hurt by the pandemic. Cruel McConnell says no, he wants more conservative judges (213 so far this year).

How does this make sense? How does a senate that refuses to legislate obvious, needed help—while supporting the lame duck president whose ignorance and nonsense contributed to the disaster—make sense? It absolutely doesn't.

I try to understand, I really do. But there's no logic here, no humanity, no acceptance of law and the constitution, no reasonable debate be had with the president or his cultists. Until January 20, and probably long after, we're going to be living in this double-exposed, split level, upside down world. But we like a challenge, right? So I take a deep breath and remind myself that life is a gift and a blessing, even when it's out of focus.

But damn, this is hard.