Despite the attempts by the anarchist followers of the former POTUS — whose name shall not be mentioned again — to derail our democratic republic, a new president has been inaugurated. His speech, contrary to the one preaching doom and gloom four years ago, was one of hope, reconciliation, and the resilience of the American spirit, and the resilience of our democracy.
He hit the ground, if not running, at least at a brisk walk. He spent a portion of his first hours in the position signing executive orders that countermand some of the ones the former occupant of the office initiated. A very good sign. Joe Biden has shown throughout his career that he is an honest, empathetic, open and principled individual. The complete antithesis of his predecessor. As Spock said in Star Trek, “may he live long and prosper.”
One problem left over from the previous administration is the deteriorating state of the U.S. Postal Service. Since Louis DeJoy was named postmaster general, and with the full support and encouragement of his former boss, his plans to “streamline” the service’s operations turned the world’s most efficient and competent system of its kind into the train wreck that we’re suffering with today. DeJoy, under the direction of the White House, removed and destroyed sorting equipment, cut delivery hours, cut staff, and anything he could think of in order to prevent mail-in ballots for the November election from being delivered on or before Nov. 3.
Despite statements to the contrary, his handiwork was somewhat successful. Now, however, the real fruits of that labor are adversely affecting regular people as well as many businesses who do business via the postal service. I, and quite a few people that I have talked to over the last couple of months, have received bank statements, utility bills, insurance and health care premium notices, credit card statements, and all manner of business correspondence so close to the payment due dated that it is impossible to return the required payment by mail on time.
In one case, I received a statement 32 days after the closing date listed on it and 17 days after the due date. It took me three hours on the phone to get that straightened out. One of my close friends had a credit card denied at a store because the payment that was remitted well in advance of the due date had not been received more than a week after that date. Comcast has threatened to cut off service to another friend, including internet, TV, and land line phone, for non-payment when the payment had been mailed more than two weeks early. A Christmas card, mailed from Colorado in mid-December, arrived on Jan. 21. This is a disgrace.
The post office had been overwhelmed by the volume of packages dumped on it by the various delivery services when their trucks were commandeered to ship the COVID-19 vaccines. I think that at least several of the regional or national common carriers could have done the vaccine job as or maybe more efficiently. That choice wouldn’t have disrupted the orderly flow of mail. I have contacted both Senators and my Representative about this, but don’t have much hope that anything will be done until the business community raises a stink about it. Money talks, the little guy gets ignored.
As the impeachment of the ex-president prepares to go forward, I hope those senators and representatives who chose to espouse the false narrative of a “stolen” election are, at the very least, censured if not charged with sedition and removed from office. I think that it is wonderful that more and more of those who stormed the Capitol are being identified — many by friends, neighbors or co-workers — arrested, and charged. Their actions deserve serious penalties and they should be made examples of.
One last thing. What is the problem with getting the COVID-19 vaccines?
As a youngster, I remember lining up in elementary school on two occasions to receive the polio vaccine. First time it was for the shot and the second for the oral drops on a sugar cube. Public health nurses came to school and administered the vaccines quickly and efficiently. Now I can’t find out when and/or where I can get my COVID-19 shot. The county website has simple forms to fill out, but no mention of locations or schedules. Help!
Bill Kennedy writes from Taneytown. His column appears every other Monday. Reach him at wlkennedyiii@verizon.net.