I can’t believe that needs to be said, but I’ve been seeing some lamenting that at least Democratic Party elected representatives stood up to the right wing when Trump was president. Clear slide into fatalism inevitably boosted on social media by pro-Trump interests. It’s not like anything was ever handled well by anyone in 2020, let’s be honest. Pennsylvania’s Democratic governor constantly moved the goalposts to renege on safety plans in 2020, they were all pulling the rug out repeatedly from the get-go. And the CDC is bad now, but Project 2025 intends to dismantle all of public health.
Obviously Biden has not made good on his 2020 campaign promises for the pandemic, even the vaccine campaign is abysmal, and there have been deliberate campaigns, some that specifically targeted liberals to persuade them of anti-mask lies. Jeff Zients running things at the White House means things are business oriented. Many have noted Zients as a terrible choice to run things, see: Sarah Kendzior, Revolving Door Project, The Intercept, The Nation, and World Socialist Web Site. It would certainly help if more people understood this and communicated their opposition.
But the Heritage Foundation intends for any Republican president to dismantle all the federal tools of public health that could be, not just what is left. And part of that process is called “delegitimization” and having the CDC do the opposite of its purpose is part of it.
And Trump himself has engaged in mercenary anti-vax.
THE HILL – Trump’s vaccine rhetoric sends chills through public health circles – BY NATHANIEL WEIXEL – 03/09/24
THE HILL – Trump won’t say if COVID vaccines work: ‘Not a great thing to talk about’ as a Republican – by Brett Samuels – 06/20/23 6:52 PM ET
I happen to agree with Sam Seder, it’s about choosing your preferred opposition.
Sunrise Movement Climate Protesters Invade Trump Rallies Jan 17, 2024 – The Majority Report w/ Sam Seder from youtube transcript: “how they get elected and who their coalition is influences whether you as an activist can influence those people – you’re not choosing your messiah you’re choosing your enemy you’re choosing who’s going to be the gatekeeper to what you want and you want a gatekeeper who is susceptible and can be influenced by people that you can influence that’s the point”
So by all means get out the vote – but voting is NOT enough. Whatever someone’s voting choices are, a vote (or abstaining) is just one piece, and a very vague way to send a message. Non-voters are often just overlooked and probably discounted by elected politicians because, after all, they operate on getting votes. It’s not right, but it’s how it works.
But also, democracy is not set it and forget it like a slow cooker recipe — you can’t throw the ballot in the box and then come back awhile later and expect everything to be cooked properly. Civic engagement means paying attention, and pressuring elected reps all along the way. There is no perpetual motion machine. For humans the struggle continues.
“It would be helpful if sanitarians would communicate with their United States Senators and Representatives regarding this important matter. Do it now.” – American Journal of Public Health – LAW AND LEGISLATION – JAMES A. TOBEY, LL. B., DR. P. H. Pass the Parker Bill – 1928 (NIH.gov)