Lessons in lessers

Look to what happened when he bought
Twitter to get a preview of things to come.

Once again we find ourselves falling inexorably towards the bleak reality of another year in the twenty-first century, and again into another four years of someone people didn't vote for (yes, I know who won the popular vote, I'm referring to Elon). The tradition is to look back at those we've lost, but while lots of worthwhile people died in 2024, I think I want to focus specifically on former President and peanut farmer Jimmy Carter. 

Kids used to learn math and civics.
I learned about the Cybertronian Wars.

Carter, who was President when I was born, isn't remember fondly for his time in the White House. I'm not an historian, but I can't help but think this is mostly just because Republicans can't shut up about how great they think Reagan was, which is weird because I'm pretty sure the precipitous decline we find ourselves in now is mostly his fault. Trickle down economics, the AIDS crisis, and a repealing of the ban on advertising at children had a direct and deleterious impact on American life that we to this day haven't shaken.

Pictured: one of America's terrible
decisions seen here, humping Old Glory.

But Carter? After some diligent research on wikipedia, I learned that while he was in office he pardoned people who dodged the draft, established the Department of Education, and helped broker the Camp David Accords. But then Reagan won in a landslide because, I don't know, people were taken in by his confidence-inspiring and luxurious hair. But it turns out he dyed it, so joke’s on us I guess. America can, as I think we've come to see, make some pretty terrible choices. Sometimes twice. 

Nancy Reagan, seen here winning the
war on drugs through the power of sit-com
walk-on roles and mass incarcerations.

Anyway, after America embarked on the cocaine-addled and greed-loving 1980's, Carter and his wife Rosalynn Carter (who died just last year) spent next forty years building houses for habitat for humanity. Meanwhile, the president-elect was busy discriminating against black tenants, filing for bankruptcy, and harassing women. Whatever you may think of the achievements of the Carter administration, you've got to admit that he was, by any measure, a 100% better human being than the once and future commander in chief.

But why bring this up? Partly because I'm a little sick of listing dead famous people, but also because I think we need to remind ourselves that we don't have to settle for lesser humans. That is people who could use their power, wealth, and/or influence to make the world a better place, but instead whine on twitter or, I don't know, stage a coup.  Sure, they can win elections and become billionaires, but they're still, you know, lesser. 

Remember when people weren't terrible to each other all the time?
No, me neither, but look at the Carters here...all old, and holding hands,
doing charity work together...shut up, I've got something in my eye...