Biden's Blunders

Anybody who reads this blog on a regular basis knows I detest Donald Trump. I consider him among this country's worst presidents. He alienated our traditional allies, regularly hinting that the US would refuse to honor security agreements. He embraced thugs like Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-Un. Domestically, he undermined institutions essential to democracy, from the courts to elections officials. I always believed him to be a con man more interested in self-promotion than in improving this country. And after the January 6 attempted coup, he belongs behind bars, not in the oval office. My vote for Biden was a no-brainer. Unfortunately, I now think that Biden is nearly as bad as Trump.

I was encouraged at first. He pledged he'd be a uniter, not a divider, and that he'd represent all of us.  He's failed to keep that promise. What really made me pause was his botched withdrawal from Afghanistan. Most Americans (not me) thought we should pull out. I would think that, once that decision is made, all necessary actions should be taken to get our allies and American citizens out before the military departs.  

The way this was handled made us appear weak to other countries. So it's no surprise that Putin would roll the dice and make another landgrab. Now Putin miscalculated, but his initial decision to invade was almost certainly based on the perception that American leadership is at a very low point. 

We all know inflation is at all-time highs. Part of this was unavoidable. Because of the pandemic and all the lockdowns, it was necessary to inject cash into the economy with a $2.2 trillion stimulus known as the CARES Act. This happened under Trump's watch, and is part of the reason for the inflation. 

The American Rescue Plan Act was Biden's doing and added a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus on top of the CARES Act. 

How could anyone reasonably think that the injection of $4 trillion into our economy would not result in runaway inflation?

Biden wanted more. He is complaining about Republican refusal to go along with his $5 trillion Build Back Better Plan. Actually, it is Democratic Senator Joe Manchin who had the sense to torpedo that  excessive spending. 

I don't hold Biden responsible for higher prices at the pump. His decision on the pipeline from Canada reduced the flow of crude oil, which is not the kind of oil used to fuel cars. But I do hold him and state legislatures throughout the country responsible for not insisting on measures to reduce those prices, from gas tax holidays to 55 mph speed limits.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, he has had too many gaffes that need to be walked back. I get that he has a speech impediment, but Biden will doggedly double down on his miscues. His staff also appears to be at war with VP Kamala Harris. The man who said he'd unite us is unable to unite White House staff. 

He's a one-termer. 

Who's the Lion in Winter, waiting in the wings to take on the mantle of leader of the free world?    

Sadly, no one in this country. 

The free world does, however have a Lion in Winter. His name is Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump tried to extort him. And Biden wanted him to flee. "The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride,” answered Zelenskyy. I do wish he'd get a few new T-shirts.

Zelensky, a former comedian, has turned into a leader. And our leaders, whether they be Biden or Trump, have turned into comedians.