CommentsTHE DOCTOR IS IN - After a California primary election that had nothing to do with science, economics, logic, or the law, it shouldn't be surprising that our nation, state, or city is shucking and chucking science, economics, logic, or the law.
And most of us voting--that probably means YOU, my Friend Reader--were and are part of the problem.
1) City, county, and state elections being "non-partisan"? Yeah, riiiiiiiiiiiiight!
The L.A. City Controller race being premised on crime control? Say, what?
The voters electing local judges? Really now...I mean...what the hell were we basing our votes on?
One would think we're like...like...like not informed or something!
But we're doing the same thing all over, and the L.A. Times, the Washington Post and the Huffington Post (and no less Breitbart or Fox News) are throwing out recommendations and narratives that too many of us are buying as "news".
I mean, I just love a good fictional read, but sometimes I just want to know the facts.
2) Some of us have the luxury of being so financially well-off that we can focus on the January 6th hearings, or Joe Biden's and the Fed Bank's efforts to lower inflation.
But most of us (probably those who don't have the time to read this) are just watching gas and food and rent prices go ever upwards.
Hence the shocker that economic issues top the public's agenda when it comes to polling and potential future election results this November.
Lower gas prices and rearrange air traffic and manufacturing using tried and true scientific and economic methods? Forget it.
Realizing that fossil fuels aren't quite in the past dustbin of history?
Revisiting the Keystone Pipeline and allowing drilling to occur again?
Recognizing the limits of electric cars being sufficiently green when it comes to energy and too "green" when it comes to cost?
Discerning that some green policies make scientific sense, and others do not, and a revisitation of nuclear power to rid ourselves of our reliance on fossil fuels?
Well, screw all THAT! We've got political mouths to feed!
3) Speaking of mouths to feed...is treating taxpaying American citizens like dirt while opening up our resources and treasure to those here both illegally and for whom we cannot afford a sustainable strategy?
A lower population, encouraging less density, and less congestion/pollution to make our cities more healthy, livable, and affordable?
No, too scientific.
Just like the fleshing out of the Putin/Russia war versus domestic policies causing our current economic woes. Just too scientific, and not political enough to waste our time with.
4) Getting people back to work physically--when possible or cost-effective--and to only remotely work when it makes financial sense?
Well, Great Resignation and Great Retirement and COVID shutdowns aside, some of us will be employable than others when it comes to working for the Elon Musks and Jeff Bezos-types in our world.
Nah...forget that...too economic.
Lowering (or raising) interest rates to address inflation, and with the President and Congress (either party, really) having a master comprehensive plan to control our rising costs and avoid stagflation like we saw way back in the 1970's?
Nuts to that--political slogans, memes, or finger-pointing is much better when it comes to politics. Because too many of us don't give a rip and learn what economics or fiscal literacy even means.
5) As for COVID-19, do masks help anyone unless they're N-95 masks.
Do our current boosters (I just got my second one, and do NOT regret it) make any sense when the antibody levels go down within 1-2 months.
Why is Moderna only now coming up with an updated vaccine that boosts protection against the newer Omicron variants of COVID-19?
And why is Pfizer focusing on vaccines for very small children who need it, and who will spread the virus less, than any other age group?
And is the new Novavax vaccine the right answer to those who've refused vaccination to date?
While we're at it, do we have to re-elect Trump just to keep Operation Warp Speed alive and well? Why have we STOPPED coming up with better and/or updated vaccines?
Or are those questions better asked in the political arena than in any truly academic environment?
Oh well, any reader's probably noting that his/her eyes are glazing over after getting this far.
Too academic, scientific, and rational to waste much time on.
Best to just get back to MSNBC, Fox, CNN, Newsmax, or a now-politicized late-night talk show circuit.
Let's not tire our little brains out with those things we call science and reason.
(Kenneth S. Alpern, M.D, is a dermatologist who has served in clinics in Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside Counties, and is a proud husband and father to a wonderful wife and two cherished children. He was termed out of the Mar Vista Community Council (MVCC) twice after two stints as a Board member for 9, years and is also a Board member of the Westside Village Homeowners Association. He previously co-chaired the MVCC Outreach, Planning, and Transportation/Infrastructure Committees for 10 years. He was previously co-chair of the CD11 Transportation Advisory Committee, the grassroots Friends of the Green Line (which focused on a Green Line/LAX connection), and the nonprofit Transit Coalition His latest project is his fictional online book entitled The Unforgotten Tales of Middle-Earth and can be reached at [email protected]. The views expressed in this article are solely those of Dr. Alpern.)
