Politics, in its most elemental form, is primarily a game of numbers. Let’s say I am running for office, and I manage to
garner more votes than my opponent. Result? I win. Similarly, if I manage to prevent my opponent from getting as many
voters to the polls as I do, I also win. These conclusions are (or should be) self-evident.
What might not be so self-evident, however, is why an atheistic democratic socialist such as myself would come out and
boldly advocate for so many of President Trump’s strongly held positions regarding the Coronavirus pandemic.
Allow me to explain in detail why this is.
President Trump firmly believes, of course, that Fox News is the only television news source that can be trusted, while
deeming all other broadcast or cable news networks “fake news.”
I wholeheartedly agree with that assessment. Under no circumstances should Trump supporters view, listen to, or
otherwise be exposed to “fake news.” It would only baffle, upset, and otherwise disorient them. And as we all know,
there’s no point in wasted thinking.
Mr. Trump has also put forward many novel ideas as to how America should cope with COVID-19 and its many complications.
As perhaps the nation’s foremost intuitive freelance physician, the president is uniquely positioned to not only “think
outside the box”, but also, on occasion, “color inside the lines.” In short, every single day, President Trump proves to
the world that he is truly blessed with both “a good brain” and “all the best words.
My advice to the majority of Republican voters on this score? Do what President Trump would do, and lean in with your
gut on this one (especially if your gut is strongly fortified with a shot of hydroxychloroquine, mixed with a splash of
industrial strength disinfectant, and sprinkled with microscopic LED Christmas lights for intravenous illumination). As
the president himself once famously declared, “What the hell do you have to lose?” My sentiments exactly!
And by the way, what’s with all the masks? Are they REALLY necessary?
Well, yes and no (your choice). But either way, no one ever said masks have to look unfashionably dull and unattractive.
Designer Ivanka Trump has just introduced a newly patented, extra-lightweight, nearly transparent mask specially
designed for the discerning power player who wants to look strong (and strongly) on every occasion.
And if you look closely at the president during any of his recent factory visits and cabinet meetings, you must
inevitably conclude that he is, in fact, wearing a mask.
(In that same vein [or should I say “vain”?], Ivanka has strongly hinted that an entire new line of men’s apparel made
from the exotic fabric will soon be available in sizes ranging from “Porcine Svelte” to “Morbidly Husky.”)
Now one might expect an atheist like me to call for the banning of all evangelical religious gatherings in crowded
churches throughout the nation, at least until a COVID-19 vaccine is widely available. Au contraire! In order to renew
their faith (and not fall into wicked, godless heathenism), it is absolutely essential that Christians of every stripe
find fellowship with one another, whether packed shoulder to shoulder into Vatican Square for a Papal Blessing, or
sandwiched, cheek-by-jowl, into a behemoth mega-church so crowded the Holy Spirit can’t get in!
A lifelong observant Episcopalian, Donald Trump was a young man when he first encountered the Reverend Norman Vincent
Peale. Almost overnight, Peale’s “The Power of Positive Thinking” became Trump’s bible, which set him on a path apart
from the rest of his fellow parishioners, for whom their bible was, well, the Bible. Always a “leap of faith” ahead of
the rest of us is the Donald!
Bottom line? President has strongly made his opinion known on the subject of opening and filling to capacity our
nation’s houses of worship, regardless of phony fire marshal or deep state doctor’s “recommendations”. On this point I
am, once again, squarely in his corner.
Which brings me, finally, to the subject of political rallies. Let’s face it, the president is the nonpareil reigning
champion of soaring political rhetorical (not to mention hilariously irreverent impressions of skanks, fatsos, and
cripples). And while I don’t always agree with what he has to say in this particular arena, I will defend to the death
(not mine, of course) his right to say it. The fact is, no one can deny that Mr. Trump strongly has the powerful ability
to strongly connect on a visceral level with even the most poorly educated of his adoring fans (everyone knows it; I
know it, and YOU know it, too!) I, for one, can’t wait for restoration of wall-to-wall network coverage of his
mesmerizing rallies, especially when they preempt the “fake news” my libtard friends are so addicted to watching on
MSDNC!
So let’s recap, shall we?
President Trump and I both feel it is imperative that all televisions in MAGA households remain perpetually tuned to Fox
News. That way, their owners will always know what the president is thinking. In fact, that’s where the president
himself goes to find out the very same thing!
The president and I also agree that when confronted with a particularly knotty problem (no, not a naughty one; that’s
HIS department, or should I say “his prerogative as an alpha male,” right guys?), one should always search out the
simplest, most unidimensional solution possible. Whether it’s trying to decide whether or not to consume likely
poisonous substances, or insert an uninsulated screwdriver into a light socket in an attempt to electrocute the
Coronavirus, stop long enough to ask yourself, “What would the Donald do?” Better yet, ask, “What in the world is this
man doing?” Bottom line again? Just trust his judgment. Period. End of story.
And of course, he and I both agree when the topic concerns the wearing of cheap cloth masks that make you look stupid.
If you can’t afford the chic new all-but-invisible designer masks made by Ivanka (and you can’t), the solution is
simple: DON’T WEAR ONE! If any deep stater has the gall to ask you why you’re not wearing a mask, simply laugh, look
down your nose at him or her, and utter (with utter contempt), “What makes you think I’m NOT wearing one, you
politically correct snowflake?!!” After all, how are THEY gonna know, right?
On the subject of religion, I assure you there is not a scintilla of daylight between our president and myself. Have you
seen his recent proclamation that all churches, synagogues, temples, and mosques be opened forthwith, so they “mayeth be
filled to overflowing with the teeming, swelling body of the faithful”? To that, I say, “Hallelujah, Brother!”
Lastly, let us not forget the value of orgiastic, mind-numbing, tongue swallowing, eyes-rolling-back-in-the-head Trump
rallies. Remember that strength (among other things) is contagious, so gather up your red MAGA, KAG, and “Transition to
Greatness” (seriously?) hats, your virtual, virtually invisible masks, your daily dose of hydroxychloroquine, and, of
course, your dog-eared copy of “The Art of the Deal,” and get going! You’ve got a lot of social non-distancing to catch
up on! Go visit your grandparents! Throw a children’s birthday party! Turn your kitchen into a makeshift mosh pit! Serve
everyone Lysol popsicles, just to be on the safe side…
But most importantly, make sure all your iPhones and iPads have the updated version of the Fox News app. That way, you
won’t miss a single detail about Obamagate, deep state plans to install George Soros as fed chair, and above all, the
forthcoming blockbuster expose on Hillary Clinton’s diabolical plan to kidnap Christian children and grind them into
filling for Shish Barak (translation: “Barack’s Delight”).
In short, do everything the president does, and, for good measure, do whatever he SAYS to do as well. If each and every
one of you just sticks to that plan, I have a feeling everything is going to work out just fine.
Because remember how we agreed that there are two ways to win an election? In the event “I manage to garner more votes
than my opponent, I win. Similarly, if I manage to prevent my opponent from getting as many voters to the polls as I
do…”
Well, you know the rest.
[Mark W. Bradley is a retired history teacher who lives in Northern California. He has been an antiwar activist since
the 1960’s, writing and marching against every American military adventure from Vietnam to the Iraq War, His satirical
articles have appeared in numerous online publications throughout the United States, as well as in New Zealand, the UK,
and the Netherlands. He can be contacted at markwbradlet@att.net]