If you are like me, I had an emotional reaction to the nomination of Merrick Garland as the U.S. Attorney General. It felt a little like retribution for the slight given to him by Mitch McConnell when Obama nominated Garland as a Supreme Court justice. So many of us thought with Garland, the insurrectionists and lead instigator were all going to be prosecuted quickly and to the full extent of the law.
Boy were we so wrong!
Here we are three years after our Capitol was stormed, when a band of Trumpist insurrectionists tried to forcibly overthrow a free and fair election, and Congress besieged and threatened with murder while the man in charge watched on television doing nothing. The ignorant lackey’s are serving time for what they did, with many admitting they were there because Trump, through his words and actions, asked them to come to attack the Capitol, to “stop the steal.”
However, very few in the upper echelon of the planning have faced any consequences for their actions. Most especially not the lead instigator himself. Even after several states have ruled what happened on January 6 was an insurrection lead by Donald Trump, the twice-impeached, convicted sexual assaulter (judge even said it was considered rape), convicted fraudster, and 91-count indicted former president. No, he is still out roaming free and wrecking havoc wherever he goes.
Merrick has slow walked (actually abdicated his responsibility through special counsel), the prosecution of Donald Trump in the stolen top secret national security documents case. He has slow walked the hush money paid to Stormy Daniels case by taking many months to release documents. He has abdicated his responsibility in the case of Hunter Biden (again through special counsel). He has failed in his duty to ensure the special counsel Hur report was purely factual. He has abdicated his responsibility in prosecuting Donald Trump.
To me, Merrick lacks the courage to do what is right. He seems to be afraid to use his authority to uphold the law against anyone of power. Almost feels as if he cares more about what people will say about him, or that his name be attached to major prosecution, that he fails to do his job.
Biden has done many great things during his presidency. Appointing Merrick Garland has been one of his greatest failures. A failure that continues each and every day Biden allows Garland to remain in office. In many ways, Biden too is lacking in courage by not asking for Garland’s resignation.
The fact that Trump is not in jail for insurrection, along with all of his fellow planners, is a travesty to our way of life, a failure by our judicial system, and a continual erosion of our democracy. As long as Garland is the Attorney General, our great nation continues its steep slide towards authoritarianism, moving us ever closer to crossing over the tipping point. Of reaching the point of no return.
As so many in politics, pundits, and new media are stating, our institutions are failing us. Once sacred institutions are collapsing because of cowards at their helms. None of these institutions are now going to “save” us. Only we, we the voters, can save ourselves.
To save ourselves from living in a Russia, a North Korea, a China, a Hungary, a Belarus, or any other dictatorship, is to actually cast our vote.
We must cast our vote for all democrats on the ballots. Not a third party because Biden isn’t perfect. Not a third party because you want to protest the current lack of choices. Not a third party because you are angry about an issue Biden or the democrats haven’t addressed in the way you want.
We must cast out vote for all democrats because they are demonstrating they care about our Republic and having a democratic society. Because they continually show they still care about improving the lives of all citizens, now and future generations. Because they still believe no one is above the law. Because they believe the wealthiest among us must pay their fair share. Because they believe corporations should pay their fair share and help provide for the common good. Because they still believe in accountability and responsibility. Because they believe we should help our allies and democracies around the world. Because they believe we have civil rights, freedoms, and all humans must be treated with dignity. Because they believe we all should have personal autonomy over our bodies.
To me, it is a very simple decision as to what kind of country I want to live in. Only one party is working to keep us free—the Democrats. They aren’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination, with some bad apples among them as well. But, even with the baggage the Democrats bring, they are far and away better than what the Trumpist-Republicans have as a vision for the future.
Simply put President Biden, which do you want for us—personal freedom or authoritarianism? I believe the former, which means you must ask for Garland’s resignation. To do otherwise might indicate you want authoritarianism instead, as Garland is helping lead us down the path.
And Mr. President, your choice, or lack thereof, will speak volumes.
Personal Reflections of a Middle-Aged Man 