Editorial

Donald Trump is perceived by 73% of those interviewed for a national poll as “the single most dangerous threat to African Americans” because of his lack of concern over the damage inflicted by COVID-19.

Coronavirus has disrupted progress in efforts to build a nation with freedom, justice and equality for all. Some of the nation's forefathers were willing to sacrifice the convenience of slavery in order to bring about a new nation founded on Democratic principles. It should now be clear to everyone that the present choice for national leadership from the White House is not working.

Tara Reade has accused Biden of sexual assault. Biden has assertively denied the accusation. In the absence of substantial evidence in support of her claim, Biden could not be convicted of the charge. It would be unreasonable for those supporting the election of Biden in November to have their support diminished by an unproven accusation.

Soon the coronavirus will be gone. It is time for Americans to consider what will be the human rights legacy of this pandemic. In this digital era, it is time for enlightened patriotism and neighborliness.

Many small businesses that have been ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic were hoping that the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) would provide the funds to prevent the layoff of important employees. However, the original $349 billion provided in the first tranche of funds went to companies that would not be considered small businesses by most people.

When there is a disparity in the distribution of the nation’s benefits to African Americans, such acts are often criticized as the result of bigotry. However, they are often something even more destructive. They could well be acts of institutional racism. The deprivation of blacks has become such a part of the American culture that it is often not considered to be something special, or even something that many people insist must change.

A U.S. president with a despotic inclination might find it difficult to impose a tyrannical regimen on the American people. First of all, he would have to neutralize the present guardrails of democracy: both the system of inspector generals and free and open elections.

There are many programs to help people during this time and it would be beneficial if the Boston City Council helped to guide their constituents to the programs already available.

One duty that the people continually anticipate is that as the commander in chief, the president will use his office and special authority to protect citizens from harm.

The stay home order is disruptive and inconvenient, but short of a new vaccine, social distancing is the only method now available to stop the spread of the pandemic contagion.

Rather than focusing on corporate losses, the proposal provides funds to people. Those earning less than $75,000 per year will get $1,200 and $500 for every dependent child. Married couples earning $150,000 will get $2,400.

The most ill-advised of actions is to have Sanders and Biden sniping at each other while Americans are fully concerned with how to survive COVID-19. Trump has been clearly ineffective as the leader to assuage the public’s fears. The emergence of a sound Democratic Party leader is required.