Setting the Bar on the Floor

The United States is in a tough place.

On the right, we have Trump: a convicted felon and demagogue who seems hell-bent on destroying the federal government. Who openly courts fascists and dictators. Who lies, cheats, and steals to glorify himself.

On the left, we have Biden. “A decent guy.” Who’s only crime is succumbing – as we all do – to age.

I don’t mean to imply that these two candidates are equivalent. They’re absolutely not. If the election were held today, Biden is the only choice.

Still, I am tired. Tired of having to make impossible choices every four years. Tired of the constant assault on my freedom and wellbeing from the right. Tired of the “this time we’ll really do it; we promise” emptiness of the Democrats. Tired of worrying that I and my future children will not have a recognizable planet to live on in a few decades. Tired of having no viable third option in any of this.

Lately I’ve been asking myself how we got to such a disappointing political place. It seems like we, the voters, have collectively set the bar on the floor. We excuse abhorrent behavior and subpar leadership. We tolerate compromise that feels like giving up the whole pie over and over again.

Presidents should be the best of us. They should be paragons that we can look up to and trust to guide us – all 300+ million of us – into a better future. Just because we can set the bar on the floor doesn’t mean that’s what we should do.

We need better, and we deserve better.