Not a Silly Grasshopper
AJ Robinson

Let me preface this article by saying that I do not wish ill will on anyone. Still, there are instances where my tolerance for compassion is at its limit. Today, I must speak out.

Aesop’s Fables reveal much common sense.

When I was a kid, I saw several versions of the Aesop’s Fable The Grasshopper and the Ant. Grasshopper fiddled while an Ant found and stored food for the winter. When the wintry weather came the Ant had enough resources to it through to spring. The Grasshopper had none and might not survive. The moral is be prepared for the future; it will come.

Walt Disney had a version of this Fable, which I liked. Porky Pig was a farmer that planned for winter. His neighbour didn’t.

Not all the Fables had a happy ending. The ants took in the grasshopper. The grasshopper didn’t always learn his lesson, though.

In the Porky Pig version, the lazy farmer pledges to change his ways, but when spring comes, he goes right back to his old ways. Although in some versions, such as the Disney one, the grasshopper urged the ants to knock off work and go play, he’s never depicted as actively working against them.

That’s why I have no sympathy for Trump and his minions getting coronavirus. Schadenfreude is not for me; I would never cheer or celebrate misfortune of another, but someone, such as bin Laden killed by a SEAL Team, is cause for jubilation. Still, such Republicans and Trump minions are few and far between.

If Putin or Kim got cancer or were in a terrible car accident, I would cheer. Such people aside, I do try to be supportive of those who are sick, injured or in need. My new exception is Trump and his followers.

The reasons for this exception are obvious. From the time the pandemic struck, Trump has done everything in his power to downplay it, minimize it, ignore it. He actively prevents anyone and everyone from doing anything to help those afflicted, too. See the book, Rage, by Bob Woodward from Simon and Schuster, for details.

It is akin to the grasshopper driving a bulldozer through the ant farm and then salting the earth. Once the ants recovered and were safe and warm inside their nest for the winter, how would they react to that same grasshopper asking for help? I seriously doubt they’d invite him to dine.

Well, that’s how I feel for Trump, I’m sorry he’s sick. I’m glad he’s getting treatment, but I am not about to offer him the old thoughts and prayers routine.

Trump never learns.

I know some pundits are saying that this is a good thing; that Trump will develop an appreciation for the trials and tribulations of people dealing with the disease. Nope, no chance. He’s already tweeted videos and comments that people shouldn’t let coronavirus dominate their lives.

Keep in mind that Trump received the best medical care money could buy. Not his money, of course, as he pays no premiums for his healthcare, has no deductible and, as we’ve learned from the release of his taxes, he contributes nothing toward government upkeep. How many people get a private suite and a cadre of doctors and the best medical treatment in the world for nothing. Trump gets VIP-therapy, that is, the treatment he wants, not necessarily what he needs.

Let’s remember his antics while sick. He’s attended several political functions, all the while ridiculing something for wearing a mask; he did a manically stupid drive-by so he could wave at his flunkies. What of the Secret Service people in the car with him; if they get sick will they get the same level of care as he does?

His bizarre, ostensible recovery videos and statements scare me, too. Are these flaying of a man on too high a dose of steroids? Are these tweets reflections of an unstable man?

Meanwhile, in Congress, specifically the Senate, there has been no effort made for more relief for the nation. Several senators have tested positive and are self-isolating, as had the military leadership. Has that inspired action from the Senate?

Yes, the Republicans want to rush the confirmation of Trump’s latest SCOTUS nominee. Nothing to help the nation. Nothing for the workers struggling to pay the rent or put food on the table, deal with home schooling and worried for sick relatives.

I am part of the latter. To date I’ve lost an aunt and an uncle to the disease and several friends.

My mother had COVID-19 and now her nursing home is in lockdown because of another outbreak. Just today Trump announced no corona relief bill until after the election because most of the money would go to Blue, Democratic-led, states. How many will die or lose everything because of his arrogance and stupidity?

Do I sound angry? Good, because that’s the emotion I want to convey. I know that can be difficult when done with mere words.

This ant is shutting the door on those grasshoppers.

Do I have compassion for Trump and his sheep? Not one bit. Not only have they done nothing to help, not only have they done everything in their power to block the efforts of decent people, they have actually celebrated the sickness and death of people like Hillary Clinton and Justice Ginsburg. Now they want me to react differently at their misfortune. Let them freeze, while they eat their cake.