On March 15, 2020, the Santa Maria Times published a column by Andy Caldwell who deliberately understated the effect of the COVID-19 virus on the American public. The Republican candidate for the 24th Congressional District followed a long list of conservative lawmakers who have been gaslighting the public for weeks regarding the coronavirus.
It started weeks ago when the president, at a rally in South Carolina, called the global pandemic a “Democrat” hoax. In an interview with CNBC on Jan. 22, Trump claimed his administration had the coronavirus outbreak in the United States “Totally under control.” Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn tweeted a photo of him drinking a Corona Extra at what appeared to be an empty bar. California Republican Congressman Devin Nunes encouraged people to dine out even though health experts were urging social distancing. These are only a few examples of Republican politicians making light of the situation, not to mention Fox News, conservative talk radio, and other right-wing media lying to America.
In an NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll conducted from March 11 through 13, only 40 percent of self-described Republicans believed the worst is yet to come. Only 30 percent of Republicans planned to stop large gatherings. Only 23 percent of Republicans were going to cancel or reschedule travel plans. The coronavirus does not discriminate. If every American does not take the COVID-19 pandemic seriously, we will never get this outbreak under control. Our response to this crisis will determine whether the nation plunges into another depression rather than a recession We need a representative in Washington who is focused on solving problems and bringing people together during a real-life national emergency. The last thing our country needs is another Republican congressman delaying the response by burying their heads in the sand because of political ramifications!
Jose Luis Castellanos
Santa Maria
This article appears in Mar 26 – Apr 5, 2020.
I think Jose makes some interesting observations. Why is it that some chose to ignore and dismiss the current health pandemic in our country? Why do some decide to take sides rather than work together on solutions and preventative measures?
I read the column published by the Santa Maria times written by Andy Caldwell and agree with Jose.
To have a political candidate understate, dismiss and purposefully repudiate what was then and now a national, worldwide disaster. is not responsible. It says a lot about the character and motives of that person and ability to represent the larger number of people…
Okay, Jose. The guy citing untrustworthy, ok, fake Libocrat news stations such as NBC, CNBC and sourced polls that mean nothing in the big picture.
Heres reality for you Jose, the Trump administration has won the approval from important health organizations the world over, i.e., WHO and John Hopkins Uni, for the handling of this modern, unprecedented modern health event. Plus, he’s polling higher than ever for his leadership during these wild times. You would never know that though because your echo chamber news sources (hah, what an oxymoron) would never ‘report’ positives about this POTUS.
You go right ahead and panic while the rest of take this in stride while following common sense protocols.
Additionally, A. Caldwell, with our primary votes made it on to the November 2020 ballot to take away the wasted congressional seat held by that do nothing incumbent Democrat named Carbajal. And believe you me, WE THE PEOPLE are working overtime to oust that loser Democrat come November. Just as we are working harder than ever to bring a Republican super majority to join forces with the landslide re-election victory receiving POTUS DJT.
#Hispanics4Trump
#Trump2020
#WalkAway (pendejos)
With his finger pointing at Republicans, Mr. Castallanos neglected to mention that the Democrats used this pandemic crisis as a convenient opportunity to “lard up” the desperately needed relief legislation with their usual “wish list” of unrelated “pet projects” and spending on unrelated matters like the Kennedy Center, NPR, a $15 minimum wage, and so forth. Why let all this death and suffering be wasted?