SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
January 21, 2021
Sullivan’s Salvos 1/26/21
In this edition:
*When Can I Get Vaccinated?
*Bowl For Kids’ Sake
*Unifying America?
*Gotta Move, Dems!
*Did You Know?
*When Can I Get Vaccinated?
This is quickly becoming the number one question I am asked! Obviously, the answer depends upon several different factors: In which state and county do you live? What is your occupation? How old are you? Do you have any medical conditions? Each of these things impacts when you will get the vaccine.
In Johnson County, we have a mixed blessing. Because we are home to SO many healthcare workers, the rest of us have to wait until they are done.
Most of the answers to the questions I get about the COVID vaccine and the vaccination process are readily available on the County website. Just visit https://coronavirus-johnsoncounty.hub.arcgis.com/
*Bowl For Kids’ Sake
The Sullivan for Supervisor team is once again raising money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County by Bowling For Kids’ Sake.
BBBS is trying several different things to get bowlers to participate: You can bowl in person (like normal) but masked and distanced; you can get a rain check and bowl later in the year; you can bowl virtually using an app; or you can compete in an online trivia contest.
I am not going in person this year. That is sad, because it breaks a streak of about 20 consecutive years. (ironically, BFKS was one of the last things we did in 2020 before COVID hit.)
But we are still going to raise money! Because BBBS is REALLY important! Statistics show that having a trusted adult mentor makes an unbelievable difference in the life of a child. Kids with BBBS matches do better academically, are less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, and are less likely to be involved in the criminal justice system. This simple idea WORKS.
Please contribute to the Sullivan for Supervisor team at: https://amplify.e-activist.com/18381/bfks2021/103319/bowl-for-kids-sake.
*Unifying America?
I have heard a number of Republicans claim that the second impeachment of Donald Trump is “divisive” and will not contribute to “unifying America.”
Actually, I think some accountability will go a long way toward unifying America. I also noticed that all these things that might “unify America” are for some reason solely the responsibility of Democrats. Republicans apparently bear no such responsibility. Well, in case they want some ideas, here are a few things that Republicans can do that would help unify America.
*Acknowledge that the November elections were free and fair.
*Acknowledge that President Trump incited the crowd.
*Acknowledge that those who stormed the US Capitol were Republicans.
*Acknowledge that President Trump violated Twitter’s terms of service.
*Acknowledge that President Trump should’ve attended the inauguration.
*Acknowledge that the administration needed to assist in the transition.
*Hold the people who stormed the Capitol accountable for their crimes.
Any or all of these things would go a long way toward unifying America. I hope the GOP will consider doing some of this.
*Gotta Move, Dems!
Lost in the tragic events of the past couple of weeks is the fact that Democrats have a trifecta, with the Presidency, Senate, and House. So what comes next? What do they take on first?
Before we get into that, let’s review the playing field. The Democrats have control, but by the slimmest possible margins. I talked last week about the way in which Mitch McConnell has broken the Senate, and therefore broken our democracy. God forbid something happens to one Democratic Senator – if so, McConnell stops EVERYTHING. So everything is urgent, and everything hangs by a thread.
Even if things get passed, they will run into a hostile Supreme Court. It does not matter what the law is, if it was passed by Democrats, Alieto and Thomas want it repealed. Kavanaugh and Gorsuch might be a bit better, but not much. Coney Barrett’s reputation precedes her. And Roberts is a longtime advocate of voter suppression, among other things. So it will not be easy getting ANYTHING done.
So what should get done first? Here are my suggestions, in the form of a top ten list. And yes, these are in order, as far as I am concerned:
1. Justice Steven Breyer needs to retire, and Biden needs to replace him.
Breyer is 82 years old. We have seen this before. One thing happens to Sherrod Brown, Jon Tester, Joe Manchin, etc. and this becomes yet another GOP appointment. This needs to be done within hours of Biden being sworn in, and I am not kidding!
2. Send $2000 COVID relief checks.
Democrats pushed for this; they should follow through.
3. Do all the other COVID relief that needs to be done.
There are many common sense COVID relief measures that McConnell refused to entertain. We should get them done.
4. Improve vaccine distribution; perhaps with Defense Production Act.
The best way to save lives and fix our economy is to improve vaccine distribution. The Biden Administration can do this.
5. Confirm Biden’s cabinet selections.
No need to worry about McConnell blocking anyone.
6. Pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.
The House will pass it. Some Republican will filibuster it. Democrats should make them do this as long as the law allows, then hold them to account. So while I don’t see this passing, at least Democrats will have given it a go.
7. Fill vacant judicial openings.
There are no longer filibusters on judicial nominations. So Biden should fill every single vacancy as fast as humanly possible. First up? Merrick Garland’s old seat on the CD Circuit.
8. Reverse the Trump tax cuts for the wealthy.
This should be brought to a vote in the Senate – again, make them filibuster it. Then pass it through budget reconciliation.
9. Reverse all Trump’s Executive Orders.
Trump has done tremendous damage to the environment, labor, civil rights, and other areas. Just as it was done by the stroke of a pen, it can be undone.
10. Forgive most student loan debt.
Like several previous issues, this should be brought to a vote in the Senate – again, make them filibuster it. Then pass it through budget reconciliation. This is TREMENDOUS economic stimulus, and good politics, too!
That is my top ten. What do you think?
*DID YOU KNOW? The idea of a President’s “First Hundred Days” comes from the first Franklin Roosevelt Administration, and their 100-day effort to lessen the impacts of the Great Depression.
Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
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---Rod
posted by Rod Sullivan @ 2:06 PM
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