DEMS HOUSE DEVILS, STREET ANGELS

We’ve probably all had at least one house devil, street angel in our lives.  It may have been a parent, sibling,  spouse, or boss.   They’re charming when in public.  So much so that we often have to hear how wonderful they are.  But having lived or worked with them, we know better. We’ve seen them lose control of their temper and take it out on others.  We’ve endured their verbal or physical abuse.  And yet, at the end of the day, they still have their followers who think they can do no wrong. Bloomberg and Klobuchar were Dems House Devils, Street Angels.

The most famous House Devil, Street Angel  is Harvey Weinstein, recently convicted of rape and facing the rest of his life in prison.   Does anyone remember Meryl Streep accepting an Oscar award in 2012?   When she said “ Harvey Weinstein is God,” in her acceptance speech?  We have to assume that she didn’t know he was a sex abuser,   He may have known better than to cross the line with such a talented and respected actress.  But can you imagine how all of his victims felt when they heard her say that?

Amy and Bernie have former employees who claim they were Dems House Devils, Street Angels.
Michael and Amy appeared charming in public, but their employees said they were Dems House Devils, Street Angels.

During the past month, Democrats Amy Klobuchar and Michael Bloomberg were popular presidential candidates.   When you saw them in the debate mode, they appeared composed, smiling, and charming.

In Klobuchar’s case, her former employees went on record as saying she was a mean boss.   For years, she reportedly was abusive to her employees—throwing things at them, and making them pay back their parental leave when they returned to work.  Once, when on an airplane, she berated a staffer for bringing her a salad without a fork, and proceeded to eat the salad with her comb. Uck.  That’s not just nasty, it’s dirty and disgusting.  Why couldn’t she have asked a flight attendant for a fork?

Several lawsuits have been filed against Bloomberg for his mistreatment of  female employees. As an example,   Bloomberg yelled at a woman who was complaining she was having a hard time finding a nanny for her newborn.  The lawsuit claims that he yelled at the employee during a meeting: ,“It’s a f—— baby! All it does is eat and s—! It doesn’t know the difference between you and anyone else! All you need is some black who doesn’t even have to speak English to rescue it from a burning building!”

It’s amazing that these people, like so many others in public life, are able to command respect from any voters at all.

MONEY CAN’T BUY LOVE

There’s an old saying: those who marry for money earn it.    Can a mansion and a yacht make up for a miserable love life? By the same token, do Bloomberg’s paid  supporters love him for himself, or for his money.? Small donors to any candidate are much more apt to get out the votes for the person  they believe in.  Therefore,  big money can’t buy love.  And it doesn’t send people to the polls.

Bloomberg flopped in February Debate: Money Can't Buy Love
Except for Bloomberg, all of the candidates stirred the soul and warmed the heart of their supporters. Money can’t buy love.

If you watched the Democratic debates, you could see why each candidate has a base of supporters who love him or her. For example,  Buttigieg appeals to people who value civility and intellect.   Warren is an attack dog.  Her fiery rhetoric appeals to those  who want a ton of freebies including health care and college tuition. Sander’s socialists  want to eliminate capitalism altogether.  He’s passionate, and articulate, and loved by his supporters.  Biden is suave, sophisticated, knowledgeable and personable.  Klobuchar is just a good old girl who appeals to the working class.  And she’s the only woman who doesn’t mind wearing a skirt.  She’s witty and sharp.

 Except for Bloomberg, all the candidates on that debate stage were  people who have  campaigned to the point of exhaustion.  They’re seasoned and personable.  Each, in their own way, is able to stir the soul and warm the heart.  If any one of them wins the nomination, they will have earned it.

What could we say about Bloomberg ?  As the mayor of New York for three terms,  there must be something the voters liked about him.  But I didn’t find him all that appealing. I guess that thing about the non disclosure agreements, and the women he treated like dirt had me against him from the get go.  Sexual harassment is one thing, but when you chew out women for getting pregnant, and suggest that any old “black” could take care of your baby, you’ve lost me.

He had no warmth or charm. He’s came across as condescending and defensive. Sorry, Bloomberg.  money can’t buy love.

BLATANT AGEISM DURING DNC DEBATE

If you’ve followed my blog, you know I’m not a big fan of Joe Biden.   But in this case, I’m defending him against what he was subjected to last Thursday night on television. Senator Julian Castro’s mean spirited attack on Biden’s memory was a sign of blatant ageism during the Democratic National Committee debate.

Once a person  hits 70 , they’re apt to be a victim of ageism, whether they  realize it or not.  It could happen when the sales  person at the electronics store spouts a bunch of techie-speak, and shakes his head in amusement when you ask him to translate  in plain English.  Or  the rental agent at your vacation apartment puts you in a shoddy, overpriced place and refuses to give you a refund or find a better place. Then,  the mechanic at the tire store who  says you need a new tire, even though you  actually just need a small  repair. These are things that don’t happen to men and women under 50.

To tell the truth, I don’t remember much about the DNC debate.  There was a lot of talk about free healthcare.  Bernie Sanders ranting and raving, and Elizabeth Warren promising us the moon with no tax increases.  (Hello: Have you talked to your Italian and Canadian friends about their tax rate?)

But three salient moments remain in my memory.

First,  Julian Castro verbally  pummeling Biden , accusing him of forgetting what he just said.  What was the point of that? Except to say: “you’re too old and senile to be  president”.

 Mayor Pete was the voice of reason crying in the wilderness
Once again, Mayor Pete was the most rational candidate when defending Joe Biden

Second: , Hoosier Mayor Pete Buttigieg’s rational  response:   “This is why Presidential debates are becoming unwatchable. It reminds everybody of what they cannot stand about Washington…poking at each other…” .

Third,  when Minnesota senator   Amy Klobuchar,  said, ,” I don’t want to be president for half of America—I want to be president for all Americans.  I want to represent all of this country, not half of it. “

Amy Kloubucher seemed like the most sensible candidate at the DnC debate
Amy Klobuchar said what is needed to bring this country together

Sadly, if you look at the Vegas Odds on the 2020 Election, you will find that Buttigieg and Klobuchar are way down on the list of those predicted  to win.  Apparently, common sense, courtesy, and respect are no longer an asset when running for president.