The Idiot, Baldasero
Stories abound these days of politicians — almost exclusively Republicans — refusing to follow safety precautions against spread of COVID, including wearing masks, social distancing, and getting tested. While COVID rages throughout the nation, having already taken over 400,000 American lives, these embarrassments to public service still refuse to take the simplest of measures to help stem the tide and protect themselves and those around them.
And why is that? Why do certain politicos, regardless of irrefutable evidence, science, and just basic common sense, refuse to help in the battle to gain control over COVID-19?
Well, Al Baldasero reveals all. In an email to the AP News, this model of arrogance and stupidity responded to inquiry of why he didn’t self-quarantine for 10 days — as required by state law — after returning from a trip to Florida, and instead led a lengthy committee meeting in a closed chamber — without wearing a mask. Baldasero’s response: “The people elected me to do a job and I will not be showing a sign of weakness by hiding in a basement or my computer because of COVID.” (This said after he eventually put on a face shield, stating he did so to “satisfy anyone whining and complaining.”)
And there we have it. The reason a-holes like Baldasero don’t follow basic safety measures in the midst of a global pandemic is they don’t want to appear weak. To enlightened minds like Baldasero’s, demonstrating understanding of a critical situation and acting appropriately to it in order to safeguard others shows weakness. To this feckless embarrassment to humanity, concern for others is a non-starter, and not under consideration. What matters is that he doesn’t appear weak. (Sound familiar?) To Baldasero, showing strength means refusing the mask, and instead taunting the virus with his idiotic bravado.
For all the Baldaseros out there: weakness is not having the courage to do what is right, and what is sometimes hard. Weakness is not being able to rise above your own immature ego and its misguided sense of masculine identity. Weakness is taking the easy road, refusing to make even the smallest accommodations to one’s behavior in order to safeguard others. Weakness is possessing the arrogance and lack of character that insists on placing your own agenda above what is good for others.
You, Baldasero, despite your protestions to the contrary, are the epitomy of weak. And an embarrassment to the office you serve.
