The Ordinary and the Precious

 

Those of us who are news consumers might come to the conclusion that there are two kinds of Americans in these dark days of COVID: the heroes among us, like those in the emergency healthcare sector, and the others, who can’t think about anyone but themselves and their own comfort. Between these groups, there is a great gulf fixed, in the Bible’s words. Are we capable of uniting behind a cause? I think our history demonstrates that we can, though we may have to go back to World War II for the best recent example

Back in those days, Americans put up with incredible restrictions and made big sacrifices to support the war effort. Many common items were either in very short supply  or strictly rationed. Gasoline was one such commodity, with families allotted only a few gallons per week. When it came to food, there was a point system, and consumers were only allowed so many points in their ration books. Meat seemed to use up the most. Sugar and butter were precious. Folks stood in lines everywhere to obtain these things.  

The population was asked not only to do without but to contribute what they could. Rubber was especially needed, so Americans were asked to donate old tires, garden hoses, even bathing caps. Drives were held for scrap metal, so old pots and pans came out of kitchens. Well after the war ended, when I was in grade school, some of my teachers winced when we crumpled up paper and threw it out, because they were used to that being a scarce commodity only a few years before.

Coastal residents were forced to turn their lights off at night in case there might be enemy bombers overhead or ships offshore. And Daylight Saving Time stayed on all the time, everywhere in the country. It was called War Time. As I understand it, there weren’t a lot of public debates about Constitutional rights being violated.

COVID has forced a different set of sacrifices, many of them social. Close friends and family members could be threats. Many of us are locked down, with children forced to get their education off screens. Oddly, the place where many draw a Constitutional line in the sand is over mask-wearing. The scientists tell us that of all the COVID defensive measures, this is the simplest, and maybe the most effective. And, masks are temporary.

During World War II, “temporary” sacrifices lasted years. I think we’re capable of wearing masks in public for a few months. They are not permanently sewn to our faces. And for those of you with guns, you get to keep them, so you’re still coming out ahead, right?

 

 

Not So Fast

We voters are under some unusual pressures this year. In her eloquent convention speech, Michelle Obama asked those who plan on voting by mail to apply early for their absentee ballots, if they don’t already vote that way, and turn them around quickly. With doubts in play about the US Postal Service, that sounds like good advice. The Postmaster General has said that planned cutbacks on postal service were being suspended until after the election, which is a good thing.

Even so, I hate to be a cold water-thrower here, but there is one downside to being in a hurry to return mail-in ballots. There are many other things on the average ballot besides the Presidential race. US Senate, Congress, county board of supervisors, city council, school board and other local contests will also be happening. And then there are the ballot measures, statewide and local.

In the not-so-old days, we had the luxury of time to do a little research, listen to the arguments back and forth, and cogitate before casting our votes. I could always count on my local newspapers (remember those?) to publish their list of endorsements and their reasons for coming to their conclusions. Maybe I’m living in a bubble (along with the others we’re in these days), but if I were one of those running for the city council or advocating a vote on a critical ballot measure, I might be saying, “Hey, don’t forget about me!” What’s important on a local level may be drowned out by the noise generated by top-of-the-ticket races.

A small point, but if your absentee ballot does come in the mail, I’d advise you to scan a copy or two in your printer, if you have one,  and use the copies to practice on. I for one, hate filling out forms and have been known to check the wrong boxes. You don’t want to rush through filling out the real ballot. If you “spoil” it, it may take time to get another one.

I have a reputation among my friends for worrying about nothing. Maybe this is just another example. But I’m only trying to remind myself, and perhaps a few others, that this election season is not all about Donald Trump. Isn’t there enough of that noise already?

 

Getting It Right

 

Among the most important choices Presidents make is the one before they’re even elected: their running mate. In choosing Kamala Harris, Joe Biden broke new ground in many ways.

Clearly, Biden didn’t really have a choice about picking a woman of color. He’d already said “woman” earlier, and he did owe it to black voters after Congressman Jim Clyburn’s endorsement pushed him to the top of the Democratic field. But there were, to my mind, some unusual elements here, more about Mr. Biden than Ms. Harris.

First, he knew full well that as the time window narrowed, the smart money was largely  on Harris. I think what many men in his position might have done was pick one of the lesser-known black women, just to show his independence. He didn’t.

Second, other men might have shied away from someone as attention-worthy as Harris, so as not to be outshone, or go with a safer choice who wouldn’t talk back to him if they disagreed. But he didn’t, almost as if he wouldn’t mind that, or even wanted it, if that’s what he thought it would take to win. He truly seems to appreciate the energy that Harris brings.

Finally, he maintained control of the process, weighing all of his choices carefully and keeping the final selection a secret.

Knowing that he might not be seeking a second term, he likely knew that his choice wasn’t simply of a  team member but possibly the next President. In short, he really got that it was not all just about him. You can’t say that about many politicians.

For her part, Harris isn’t just black, she is of mixed race, with one immigrant parent from Jamaica and the other from India. As has been pointed out, this makes her attractive to a broader group of voters. And while the opposition will throw everything it has at her, it’s well-known that she knows how to return the fire.

Democrats in general are excited by Biden’s choice, but now the challenge is harnessing that excitement. I have an analogy for this that is unfortunate, but when I think about what’s needed to win, it’s this: I will never forget the pictures from 2011 of the tidal wave that struck northern Japan after the massive earthquake. The water rolled inexorably over the countryside, and nothing stopped it. There wasn’t anything solid enough, tall enough, or that weighed enough to keep from being swept away.

It may not be the best comparison, but the tide of voters will have to look exactly like that, strong enough to overwhelm every artificial barrier to exercising their legal right. If there’s a time when voting is an absolute obligation, we are in it.