Countdown 48 Day Election

California 18 days until early voting

JOE BIDEN   

Sunday Los Angeles Times editorial board recommended Joe Biden for president of the United States and gave their rationale for their decision.  The nine member board made their recommendation based on reporting, research, and deliberation.  The board has a long-standing commitment to certain principles, including democracy, human rights, and rule of law.  The board makes their choice independently without involvement of reporters.

 The Board considers this to be the voters most consequential election in decades.  The choice is between a divisive authoritarian-leaning incumbent and a seasoned patriot who not only brings five decades of experience, ability and commitment to American values  At stake is nothing less than the health of our constitutional democratic republic.

This decision was made prior to the national debates and considered that the gap between the two. The board said: “We will watch those exchanges with interest, but it is inconceivable that anything that is said on the debate stage will close the cavernous fitness gap between the two candidates.”  

The board gave a comparison of the two candidates.  The first is the boards comments on Trump.  The editorial goes on to say about his actions said: “Trump’s trafficking in falsehoods; his stoking racial divisions; his inability to distinguish between national interests and his personal interests; his attempt to ride a false and dangerous narrative about ‘anarchy and mayhem’ to reelection-all require repudiation by the voters.”  Even his attempts at Trade as I have noted, and the Times noted the same amateurish execution with the peace talks with North Korea’s Kim. The opinion also stated that in many ways Biden is the anthesis of Trump. And said: “Trump’s record easily justifies a position of “Anybody but Trump.” 

Biden was described as a fact friendly, and has a record of seeking and listening to expert advice.  Many of his advisors are established professionals Biden has known for years.  Biden has the respect for science and research and Trump believes only in himself. 

There were 81 Nobel prize winners in chemistry, physics, and medicine that wrote an open letter that endorsed Joe Biden: “At no time in our nation’s history has there been a greater need for our leaders to appreciate the value of science in formulating public policy.”  This was written as Trump was nominated by a Swedish crank for what Trump initially called the “Noble Prize” not the Nobel Prize.  I guess he thought the prize was the tool to elevate his status to Nobility?

Biden will face the tasks of listening to science, validating climate change, repairing infrastructure, overhauling immigration policy, reforming campaign finance. 

The endorsement went on to say Biden’s temperament appears to be a good fit for our times.  A sympathetic figure that has experienced tragedy multiple times in his life that gives him the experience in troubled times as now. 

In contrasting the acceptance speeches of the two candidates Trump promoted fear and loathing,  whereas Biden called for unity and for Americans to come together.  “Trump has fanned racial tensions, told an endless stream of lies, ran a campaign based on grievance and resentment, and cast himself as the defender of white Christian America.”  All based on the disinformation silo of talk radio and the Fox noise and conspiracy channel.

The editorial has said that Biden has promised to take leadership recognizing that international cooperation and a national direction is necessary to defeat the virus.  Trump has put the election first, modifying CDC reports to fit his rhetoric and baseless observations without real science.  Biden has promise to put science first. 

Biden has pledged to continue sending money to small businesses, idled workers, and others hurt by the downturn.  Biden promised to expand coverage and recognized that employer based health care system is flawed and needs overhaul.  Biden’s plan would extend affordable and comprehensive coverage to millions by making public insurance available to the uninsured in a plan like Medicare with subsidies for low and moderate income groups

On taxes Biden has said he would attempt to increase the Corporate taxes back to 28%.  Biden also wants to repeal most of the tax cuts Trump had made that had a benefit to the 1%.

Internationally Biden is a known and trusted ally.  Biden has a challenge to repair damages the isolationist Trump has levied on the international scene.  Repair of NATO reuniting allies, United Nations including funding for WHO, getting back to the Paris climate accords, re-engagement with the Iran Nuclear agreement.

The middle east policy Biden will pursue will include Palestinians in any agreements unlike Trump using wedge issue to weaken the Palestinians position in negotiations.

Dozens of Former republican national security advisors endorsed Biden, putting nation above party and declaring the former vice president: “will restore the dignity of the presidency, bring Americans together, reassert America’s role as a global leader, and inspire our nation to live up to its ideals.”

Trump and his allies would have you believe Biden has diminished capacity and point to his gaffs and his flubs are often in a word or a line: Trump’s problem is what he says when he speaks his mind.  Trump’s repetition of lines, lack of sentence structure, and 4^th grade language is his signature at his rallies.  All a show so he can relate to his followers that he has no respect for.  Trump is willing to have his followers die in super spreader events from the virus so he can put on the show.

Biden will inherit a real economic mess that has been created by Trump.  Trump continues to promote the markets as an indicator of the economy, tell that to the 40% of small black businesses that have gone under or the 5.5 million families facing immediate eviction. 

The Los Angeles Times enthusiastically endorsed Biden for President.  Me I’m neutral, however being a former professional umpire I am willing to make difficult calls and therefore I call it as I see it, thus Joe Biden.