Originally Posted by bcredliner

Considering what other countries and some areas in our country that implemented the recommended guidelines and their resulting success, it seems clear that we would have COVID-19 under control by now if we had had a Federal mandate to follow the guidelines across the country. I think a Federal mandate is still necessary and it should include severe enough penalties to act as an effective deterrent for those that choose not to cooperate for whatever reason.

I don't agree that those having underlining conditions should be eliminated from the Covid-19 death count. It doesn't mean they were already terminal. It means they are more likely to die if infected. For example, they could have diabetes or cancer and be doing fine. They might have lived another 30 years with either disease. They get Covid-19 and die. Why isn't the cause of death the virus?

The leaders of a country, just as in a business, are responsible for the actions taken by those they manage. They don't get to shift the blame to anyone else. It doesn't matter what Pelosi or anyone else does. In this cause, Trump was directly involved in the mismanagement. It wasn't the fault of anyone else in his administration though they violated their oath of office by not speaking up. He personally downplayed the recommendations of the scientists and still is. He puts his support for defiance of the guidelines on display at televised rallies for all to see. At best that is dereliction of duty, a violation of his oath of office. In a business, certainly a corporation, he would have been fired long ago.

I agree that the House, Senate and President don't work together. That is also part of the job of a President to see that they do.

It requires a two thirds vote by House and Senate to override a veto by the President. Historically that has happened less than ten percent of the time. As it is now that will never happen an either side of the isle. That leaves no possibility of a course correction. And since most votes are party line driven, voting out incumbents isn't going to become a priority. I think term limits should be applied to the house and senate but I can't see those in office in favor of doing so, even suggesting consideration.

IMO, the best we can hope for is that at some point the House and Senate have a significant majority of the same party as the president. Bi-partisan support is at least two terms away and only with forced mending of the major fences separating the parties. Right now they are calling each other stupid, crazy or worse. That only makes things worse. Those are fighting words and working very well.

Less than 45% of eligible Americans vote. Perhaps 1 or 2 here will decide voting is important. If another 10% start voting, or whatever critical mass is, major changes are very possible.