The year 2020, though tough, has given us 20/20 vision on the state of our union
In many ways, the year 2020 has a well-earned bad rap.
The year, 2020, the 20th year of the new millennium, has been assessed and condemned by pretty much everyone. It’s in the daily headlines of all versions of media. Social media is full of sardonic posts and memes decrying this year.
But let’s take another look at the year, the number, 2020.
When I think of 2020, I put it in the context of an eye exam in that 20/20 is commonly considered perfect vision. With that in mind, the year has shown us with our own eyes some uncomfortable truths about the United States of America.
It has offered us a vision of our country that perhaps we’d rather not see, or want to know about. It has brought to light issues that were once on the periphery, but are now front and center.
Herewith:
2020 has a shown us the shortcomings of the U.S. healthcare system with its exorbitant costs, the resulting inequitable treatment therein and the ensuing bankruptcy for many
2020 has shown us the institutional racism found in law enforcement, housing and employment
2020 has shown us the poverty of minimum wage and the growing wealth gap; an economy that doesn’t work for everyone
2020 has shown us the value and need of an apolitical federal government and a competent response during a national/international crisis such as the pandemic
2020 has shown us the reality of climate change, not only as wildfires and hurricanes rage, but in regular super storms and damaging and deadly flooding
2020 has shown us the importance of science and reason over belief and opinion
2020 has shown us the importance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as the former Global Health Security and Bio-defense agency
2020 has shown us the importance of legitimate, unbiased news reporting over intentionally misleading opinion and outright lies
2020 has shown us which political party has attacked the integrity of the U.S. elections, the U.S. Postal Service and made the right to vote difficult through closed voting sites, photo ID, gerrymandering, and other underhanded means
2020 has shown us the importance of international organizations and treaties (NATO and the Paris Climate Agreement) and the necessity of a good relationship with our allies
And, more than anything, 2020, has put into sharp focus the character and substance of the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump.
The mishandling of the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic by this president, one of the many contemptible things he has done, is one with the severest consequences for the American people.
– He knew in late January of what it portend for the U.S., yet dismissed, denied and lied about it for personal political gain. And along the way, he was enabled by Republican politicians and conservative media across the country
– The result, as of today (November 1, 2020), are 231K dead Americans and there are 9.21M cases and, sadly, both categories are growing daily
So, overall, the year 2020 has put before our eyes a disturbing reality about our country that we cannot, in good conscience, look away from.
The survival of this great experiment in self-government depends on American citizens seeing and believing what is happening, acknowledging it, and then doing the hard work to not only reconcile, but repair the damage in order to our keep democracy alive.
And coincidentally, if not conveniently, November 3, 2020, Election Day, is a good place to begin.
– Dominick Cross