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As campaigning for the 2024 presidential election begins in earnest, I am reminded of a quote once offered by George Bernard Shaw, who said, “Two percent of the people think; three percent of the people think they think; and 95 percent of the people would rather die than think.” Why would this quote be appropriate right now?
According to national polling data, more than 40 percent of registered voters questioned would cast a ballot for candidate Donald Trump, even although he is currently under 91 felony indictments, namely for election interference (Washington, D.C. and Georgia), hush money payments (New York) and hoarding classified documents (Florida). When verifiable facts are readily available, I think one can only be drawn to the conclusion that those Republican supporters of Trump for president must be part of the “95 percent of the people [who] would rather die than think.”
Therefore, if his followers care not to think, then simply listen to him! Why? Trump has often proclaimed he wants to essentially be a dictator! Consequently, if he is elected, I believe our democracy will be damaged. Listen, look, think.
Is President Joe Biden without flaws? No. If, however, one can venture beyond his age/physicality and focus on verifiable facts, he has accomplished numerous legislative goals which benefit all Americans. So, in 2024, “think” deeply about Biden’s inner qualities and, thereafter, judge him by the words of Antoine de Saint Exupery: “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
John M. Mishler
Harpswell