Today is July 5 and for anyone counting it’s been three exact weeks (21 days) since Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) was reportedly found unconscious and rushed to a hospital.
Yet despite reports he is on the mend, there are concerns that he is in very poor health or even still unconscious. There has been some speculation he is on life support with no chance of improving. There’s even some speculation he has in fact passed away. The Republican Party is suspected of keeping this secret out of fear it might hurt their chances in a heavily contested and volatile election year and quite possible one of the most important mid-terms ever.
Normally, when an incumbent Senator passes, steps aside for health issues or to take on another elected position or Presidential cabinet position, the governor of said state appoints a replacement until a special election can be called. In most cases, it’s easier and cheaper just to put it on the next regular election if the term hasn’t expired yet.
That’s not the case in Kentucky where a Democrat Andy Brashears is in office. No, a special election must be called regardless. They actually changed this years ago probably anticipating that McConnell, while looking like a turtle, isn’t going to live as long as one. Just like gerrymandering, it’s a way for a political party to chose its voters. I believe the GOP is afraid how voters will react.
McConnell has stated he won’t seek another term this election year as he’s been serving since 1985. That’s seven terms. His failing health leaves the people of Kentucky without representation and America without a fair Congress.
But then again, fair has never been the way with many elected officials. Look at what happened in Tennessee. McConnell as Senator Majority Leader in 2016 refused to call a a hearing following the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia for President Barack Obama’s appointment of Merrick Garland. Then when Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg passed less than two months from the 2020 elections, he rushed through for the hearing of Amy Coney Barrett to get her on the bench.
McConnell and his family doesn’t deserve privacy or empathy since he has made it his mission for years to strip others of healthcare and other rights. This comes at the same time that Rep. Tom Keans Jr. (R-New Jersey) was absent for about four months reportedly hospitalized for clinical depression. He didn’t cast any votes nor attend any meetings. Yet he still collected paychecks.
This comes as teachers ask for employees to donate sick days while they have medical issues. Many other employees all over the country have to request PTO from co-workers. A lot of Americans are a few missed paychecks or one severe emergency from being homeless or so far in debt they won’t be able to recover. All it takes is for someone to run a red light in traffic or some active shooter to kill a family member or cause a major injury.
Yet we’re supposed to be sympathetic toward McConnell and others on the right who allowed the rise of Trumpism and refused to honor the U.S. Constitution. Even if he gets better enough to be released from the hospital tomorrow, it will take two or three months at least for an 84 year old man with a history of recent health issues to recover.
No, it seems McConnell wants to ride out the last six months of his term doing nothing. If a Subway worker who is violently sick has to find a replacement for her swift, then Kentucky needs a new Senator now and not come January 2027.
What do you think? Please comment.
Zane Says 