By Vincent L. Hall
Columnist
If we all pitch in just a little bit, we’re gonna get there.” – Alex Trebek
Elections have consequences. A simple contrast of the late Alex Trebek, then dying with pancreatic cancer, with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s words provide sufficient evidence. Trebek and Jeopardy represent TV game show royalty. Merv Griffin created the show in 1964, but Trebek has been at the podium since 1984. The show produced 8,000 episodes, 39 Daytime Emmys, and a Peabody Award. Only the real nerds, minutia maniacs, historians, and better-educated need apply. If only Trebek had run for the U.S. Senate, and Mitch had the personality and mental agility to play host to a game show the caliber of Jeopardy, the American citizen may have gotten a much better representative.
Politico’s account of his sentiments on the need for more than $600 in stimulus proves him less gracious and caring than Trebek. “Borrowing from our grandkids to do socialism for rich people is a terrible way to get help to families who actually need it,” McConnell said of an effort to boost the checks from $600 to $2,000, which is supported by President Donald Trump. “Washington Democrats took President Trump’s suggestion and skewed it so the checks would benefit even more high-earning households.” McConnell said, “Socialism for rich people” four times in his speech. Senator Bernie Sanders responded, “The majority leader helped lead this body to pass Trump’s tax bill. You want to talk about socialism for the rich, Mr. Majority Leader?” Let me posit this thought in the contrast of personalities. Mitch McConnell is a snobbish, shyster who plays that old GOP game of “divide and conquer” with the public.
He used “socialism for rich people” four times to give you something to hate. Republicans were playing on that trick long before Donald Trump started selling that tonic. Any critical thinker would question Mitch’s question. What does a paltry sum of $2,000 have to do with socialism? Moreover, if Mitch had any concern for your grandkids, he would have resisted the massive tax cuts. If $75,000 is the most you could earn to qualify, what is rich? It is a ruse, a ploy, a shell game, and a damn shame! Example. Lewis is a hardworking single parent and essential worker who did not miss a paycheck. Food prices have skyrocketed. The school taxes he pays were not subsidized. His children are learning virtually. His bills for utilities, food, and toilet paper have grown tremendously. Don’t laugh. The price of Charmin in 2021 is enough to make Mr. Whipple cry! (Google It!)
Lewis gives more money to his church, family, and charities. He is treading water, but not gaining, growing or breaking even. Mitch, whose reported net worth is $23 million, has no idea what it feels like to barely make ends meet…Every month! The Senate Majority leader has no clue what it means to be one of the 10,000,000 unemployed, 12,000,000 who are behind in rent by $6000, or the 27,000,000 who lack sufficient food. It went unnoticed, but while Mitch refused to increase stimulus from $600 to $2000, he also led the rollback of unemployment benefits from $600 to $300 per week. No, Mitch McConnell, who always looks like he’s “watching an orphanage burn from a safe distance,” is no Alex Trebek. Trebek’s final words prove as much.
“People who are suffering through no fault of their own,” he said. “We’re trying to build a gentler, kinder society, and if we all pitch in—just a little bit—we’re gonna get there.” This latest episode on legislative Jeopardy meant a lot to America. Mitch McConnell could have chosen “Kinder for $2000,” but chose not to. Mitch wins the ring while working-class America loses its shirt. Mitch put us all in jeopardy!
Vincent L. Hall is an author, activist, and award-winning columnist.
