Easton's "Democracy" March Consists of Walking in Circles

Though it's still a bit chilly and windy for a longish bike ride, I decided to ride to Easton's Circle on Sunday to watch and listen to an anti-Trump rally thinly disguised as a pro-democracy rally. Despite the gloomy weather, the opposite of just the day before, there was a decent crowd of about 150-200 people, many of whom were festooned in home-made anti-Trump signs. After listening to a group of mostly uninspired and forgettable speakers, they simply walked around in circles and pretended it was a march. That's exactly what most Trump opponents are doing these days. Walking in circles instead of taking meaningful actions that address where we Democrats went wrong and what really ails our democratic-ish government

I did like Lady Liberty on stilts. She even painted her face green. I thought her presence, by itself, meant more than what anyone had to say. I also appreciated like the idea of collecting food for people in need. That was thoughtful. I even got a free coffee at Dunkin' from the nice young ladies at the counter. I was dressed in my nicest velo gear, but no matter what I do, I tend to look like a homeless person. 

Speakers consisted of colonial re-enactor Christopher Black, former US Congressperson Susan Wild, State Rep. Bob Freeman, former TV journalist Melba Tolliver and local community activist Baron Vanderburg. 

Without question, our polity (we are a rule by the many, not a strict democracy) is in big trouble. One of its biggest weaknesses is the pernicious influence of money in politics. So guess who spoke the longest? Former Congress member and glorified telemarketer Susan Wild. Over $38 million was spent in her losing bid to remain in Washington last year. That's just obscene. She spent much of her time on the stage Sunday displaying her schadenfreude at Elsie Stefanik. That NY Congress member recently had to abandon her quest to become UN Ambassador so that the GOP could maintain its razor thin majority. Wild was just delighted. But she spent no time at all criticizing how millions of dollars injected into campaigns results in corrupt government officials. You could see that in Wild herself. She, like most members of Congress, spent most of her time on the phone, speaking to deep pockets. As a result, her office had terrible constituent services. 

Danny "Dog Park" Cohen

A second of the biggest problems in our polity is the lack of term limits for many elected offices, especially in state and federal government. Our politicians tend to get in office and stay there forever. Or until they look like a deer in the headlights during a Presidential debate. One Congress member from Texas actually lives in an assisted-living facility. So who addresses this problem with our democracy? Not Easton Mayor Sal Panto, who is now in his sixth term. Nor did State Representative Bob Freeman, who will be in office for 40 frickin' years at the end of his term in 2026.  Our elected leaders tend to be disproportionately old, white and male. They stay in office because they know how to cater to special interests instead of hard-working people. That's who spoke on behalf of more democracy? 

A former TV anchor, who got her big break by crossing a picket line during a strike by broadcasters and writers, also spoke. She's a scab. What better way for Democrats or Democratic Socialists or whatever we call ourselves these days to show our solidarity with the working class. But because she refused to cover her head with a scarf when Tricia Nixon was married, her sins are all forgiven, I guess. 

Baron Vanderburg spent his time discussing the five stages of grief he endured after Republicans and Trump prevailed. I'm not exactly sure what that has to do with democracy. 

Final, there was a colonial re-enactor, sporting his tri-corner hat and 1776 regalia, harkening us back to the time when only the landed male gentry could vote, and slaves were only 3/5 of a person. I'd rather not be reminded. 

Wild went on forever, and Panto shouted his remarks. I'm not quite sure why. I decided walk a few blocks back so my eardrums would remain intact, perilously close to a tempting bakery. A passerby was laughing as Panto shrieked. "Now he's talking about the beaches of Normandy," he shook his head. 

Were there Trump disruptors? Sure. One fellow kept shouting "Trump, Trump, Trump, Trump" as speakers delivered their obloquies. Another fellow, carrying a Mackenzie sign that he defiantly displayed from time to time, spoke of powerful American women like Aunt Jemima. Stupid comes in all flavors. 

Without question, this country is riven and our democracy is slowly but inexorably headed into a dictatorship, much like happened to the Roman Republic. But it's also indisputable that nearly all elected leaders on both sides of the aisle care very little about anything but their own ambition. Instead of walking around in circles or carrying "Impeach Trump" signs, we need to reform what is wrong in our government, including office holders who stay well beyond their expiration date and the corrupting influence of money. That would be a little more meaningful.