Theater is lovely. I always enjoy a good, entertaining show, but there are places where theater doesn’t belong. For example, public policy is a place where theater doesn’t belong. Be wary of theater when it comes to politics. Politicians are known to smile and say the right things for a reason, and people fall for it time and again because they want to believe they’re smart enough not to be fooled.

Well, we’re all capable of being fooled. One’s intellect doesn’t play into it, either. Some of the smartest people in the world are the easiest to fool. When it comes to politics, theater, or the aesthetic, is what keeps us complacent. A politician will say they’re doing everything they can to meet the needs of their constituents, they’ll even use the right language, because they know that the appearance of doing good, of saying the right things, of using the right terminology, is more important than actually acting upon policies that help the most vulnerable.

You will hear discussions of diversity, of social justice, the need to engage in public service, and they’re nice words, they scratch the surface itch, but they don’t address the real problem, because they’re not designed to address the real problem.Let me give you an example:

Suppose a white police officer puts a black man, who has committed no crime, into a choke hold. The black man dies, the officer is acquitted, and the resulting protests cause the police chief, a white man, to step down. In his place, a black woman becomes the new police chief. She speaks of social justice, of sensitivity, and promises to do what is right.

The very next year, under her leadership, a black man is arrested by a white police officer. While in custody, the black man is put in a choke hold and dies. The officer is acquitted, and the black police chief speaks of social justice, of sensitivity, and promises to do what is right.

A street is named after the dead black man.

That same year, a black woman, who has committed no crime, is shot while sleeping in her home, by a black police officer. The police chief, amidst the protests, steps down, and a Latina woman who puts her pronouns in her bio on her Facebook page, steps up and speaks of social justice, of sensitivity, and promises to do what is right.

A postage stamp is issued with the slain black woman’s artistically enhanced image. A profile in courage.

What is likely to happen next?

The same applies to our current situation.We are in the midst of a pandemic. The most vulnerable people in our lives are at risk of dying from a nasty disease that has proven itself to be not only deadly, but for those who survive it has long lasting effects that creates lifetime deficits like lung and heart damage, even brain damage, and it can strike from the youngest to the oldest.

Our former president tells us that the nation will remain open, that the economy can’t take shutting down, that people need to work so they can have an income. A meager check is released to people based on means testing, and many do not receive any help. Despite a Republican majority, Congress laments they cannot reach an agreement. 3,000 people a day are dying from this pandemic.

He is lambasted for his poor handling of the pandemic. He is voted out, and the people sigh in relief.

Our current president tells us the nation will remain open, that the economy can’t take shutting down, that the people need to work so they can have an income. A meager check is being released to people based on means testing, and many will not receive help. Despite a Democratic majority, Congress laments that they cannot reach an agreement. More than 4,000 people a day are dying from this pandemic.

The President speaks of social justice, of sensitivity, and promises to do what is right.

What is likely to happen next?