It is July 4, 2024

Twelve score years ago, America was established as the free nation it is today

By Anil Madan

Abraham Lincoln saw that establishment as a test of whether that nation conceived four score and seven years earlier — conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal– could long survive. He had come to dedicate a portion of the field at Gettysburg as the final resting place for those who had given the last full measure of devotion that that nation could live.

Independence Day. Pic – Santa Monica

In his poetic gallop, Lincoln admonished those listening to his remarks, that it was not up to us to dedicate or consecrate the field, but to dedicate ourselves to the unfinished work which had thus far so nobly been advanced. It was for them and all Americans to be dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain– that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom– and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Eight score and one year (less a few days) from Lincoln’s exhortation at Gettysburg, this nation will put that proposition to the test again on November 5, 2024. 

Our nation is twelve scores old, wiser in experience, greater in strength, but showing its creaking bones, its aging body and infrastructure. Some will even say that our nation on this 240th birthday shows signs of dementia, and is doddering, as we have lost our way, and seemingly need a strong man to help learn the path we must follow. They do not consider that the path this nation must follow was laid out twelve score years ago. There is no concept nobler in human history than the proposition that all men are created equal and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, and among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. And that to serve these needs, governments are instituted among men, drawing their just powers from the consent of the governed.

They see our President in the same light — a weak demented old man, doddering, and not inspiring confidence. Never mind that the nation’s economy is performing better than any other country’s economy, employment is at an all-time high, the stock indexes are at all-time highs, and where we have failed is when we have allowed the right-wing elements the evil privilege of denying equal rights to women, the elderly, the disabled, and to immigrants.

The answer that they see is no different from those who lost in their lives, turn to opioids.

My fellow Americans, Donald Trump is the fentanyl offered to America. Do not partake of his poison.

He has no answers. He has no solutions. He has no ability to execute. For all his bombast before the last two elections, he never built the wall, he never stopped trade with China, he never brought any manufacturing jobs back to America, he never controlled Xi Jinping, or Putin, or Kim Jong Nuke, and the Iranian Ayatollahs are on the verge of a war. For all the talk of the Abraham Accords, the Middle East is in flames.

Some will say that the invasion happened on Biden’s watch and Gaza happened on Biden’s watch. Sure. That is so. But if Trump had really solved the problem, as he promised, none of this would have happened. The point is that his bombast is just smoke.

He says he can end the war in Ukraine in a day. Why doesn’t he tell us what the magic solution is? Does he really want the killing to go on until he is reelected? If so, there is a certain sickness about the man. The truth is that it is all BS.

And stupid Americans suck up his nonsense as he spews hatred and bile about deporting millions. Do you have any idea what a hit that will be to GDP?

Trump’s proposals for tariffs of 10% on everything and deporting millions will cause a recession the likes of which you have never seen.

I do not agree with many of President Biden’s policies. I think he botched the withdrawal from Afghanistan, failed to deter Putin’s attack on Ukraine and has been ineffective in bringing that war to an end, and made a colossal mistake in providing unconditional support to Bibi Netanyahu and his coalition of right-wing nuts and hate mongers. But he has been tough with China, has maintained sanctions on Russia and Iran (although, I think such sanctions are of dubious value), and made a significant dent in the US with the infrastructure bill and the so-called Inflation Reduction Act.

Biden does what he does with good intentions, not with the hatred and racism that seeps out of Donald Trump’s pores.

Some of my thoughts echo what Ken Burns said in his speech at Brandeis about four weeks ago. If you have the time, listen to it. Here:

Ken Burns, H’24 Keynote Address to Brandeis University’s 2024 Graduates (youtube.com)

This is an existential moment for America. Are we as a nation prepared to vote in a seditionist, democracy denying, sexual predator, liar, convicted felon, fraud as our next President?

Really? Think about that for a minute.

Happy birthday America. Let us hope that this is not the July 4th that Abraham Lincoln warned us might come if we did not dedicate ourselves to that sacred pledge to save our Democracy every single day.

If your vote is your last full measure of devotion, use it carefully. The fate of the nation depends on it.

Cheerz…
Bwana

Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 5 July 2024