Pete Buttigieg: What Could Have Been

Pete Buttigieg’s withdrawal from the Democratic nomination race left me with a number of questions… and one in particular that will linger.  I wondered if Pete was ever given fair consideration by those who seemed ready to pounce on every perceived past faux pas, without seeing him for who he really is?

I’m not sure it’s widespread knowledge that Pete advocated for a solid progressive agenda:

He is pro-choice, and supports repealing the Hyde Amendment.

He supports abolishing the death penalty, reversing criminal sentences for minor drug-related offenses, and restoring voting rights to former felons.

Pete would have restored U.S. commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement, and doubled our pledge to the Green Climate Fund.  He supports a carbon tax and dividend policy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  He proposed building a clean economy through the creation of clean energy jobs, improving our resilience by investing in disaster relief & prevention, and building the US role on the international stage.

Pete proposed the Douglass Plan:  it would have allocated $10 billion to African-American entrepreneurship over 5 years, and grants amounting to $25 billion to historically black colleges.

As a self-avowed “Democratic capitalist”, Pete supports “Medicare for All Who Want It”—a plan that would have implemented a public option for healthcare insurance, while still allowing private healthcare insurers to remain in business.  He released a $300 billion plan to expand mental health care services and fight addiction.

Pete favored amending civil rights legislation w/ the Federal Equality Act, so that LGBT Americans also receive federal non-discrimination protections.  He opposed the ban on transgender people that prevents them from joining the military.

Pete advocated tor empowerment of workers by raising the minimum wage to $15, and offering paid family leaves nationwide.

Pete advocates for the abolition of the Electoral College…. He believes that the president ought to be elected by the people—i.e. Hillary Clinton’s victory, by roughly 3 million votes, would have spared us Donald Trump.

And yet, there were many who decided he wasn’t progressive enough, he wasn’t green enough; heck, he wasn’t even gay enough for some of these people!  They were suspicious of his time as Mayor of South Bend, they were suspicious of his time in the military, they were suspicious of his work with McKinsey… Did I always agree with Pete?  No, I was certainly uncomfortable with how some of the fundraising was handled, but in the long run I believe he would have been an incredible choice for our country.  Furthermore, I’m 63, and I recognize the need for a generational change of leadership.  Yes, I realize Pete is 37 and likely to be around for quite some time, but that doesn’t ease the disappointment I’m feeling now.

Massacre in Orlando; Trump's Disgrace

     Like millions of Americans, I awakened this morning to news reports about the horrific slaughter in Orlando's "The Pulse" night club.  The headlines state that this is the worst mass shooting in U.S. history, with 50 dead and another 53 wounded--many critically.  My heart goes out to the victims, their families and friends, and to the entire LGBT community.
     One might have hoped that politicians would refrain from pronouncing judgment on this tragedy--at the very least until all the facts are known.  Donald Trump, however, felt compelled to weigh in (to no one's surprise) by informing the waiting world that these events prove he was "right" about terrorism... whatever that means.  He reiterated his call for a "ban" on Muslims entering the U.S. (of course, the suspect is an American citizen--born and bred here--and appears to have acted alone), he denounced our "weak leadership" --demanding that President Obama resign (!), and he attacked Hillary Clinton for not speaking the words "radical Islamic terrorist".  Of course, not once in his statements did he express his support for the LGBT community. Given his recent run of bad press, significant Republican buyers remorse, and dropping poll numbers it's no wonder he'd want to point fingers elsewhere--but, no one needs to hear more of his bigotry and intolerance--least of all the Orlando community.  He's only making a horrendous situation even worse.
     Since he decided to politicize this tragedy, instead of showing restraint and decency, I only hope Trump's actions serve as a wake-up call for those who might actually contemplate voting for him.  He is a demagogue, and an arrogant bully.  His hate speech accomplishes nothing but serving as a recruiting tool for ISIS.   I have to believe that the inherent goodness and decency of the American people will ultimately prevent Mr. Trump from getting anywhere near the Oval Office.  It's obvious that this great country deserves far better.

     After posting the above, I read that Trump has achieved a new low--even for him.  He said that the President "either doesn't get it, or... he gets it better than we understand".  The implication is obvious, and disgusting.  This man has no shame whatsoever.