The comparisons between 1968 and 2024 are downright eerie.
Once upon a time in a kingdom not so far, far away, there was a handsome young prince who earned the right to take the throne. Accompanying him was a trusted #2. Older, wiser, he knew how to take the young rulers’ fresh new ideas and make them reality. But alas there was always the villain lurking, who in his determination to seize power tried to thwart all the benevolence the two-person team attempted to bestow on all the land.
The young prince wanted to make all the subjects have a fair chance at a good life. The tall, the short, the fat, the thin, the dark, the light and every shade therein; and whatever other classifications deemed important in the kingdom.
He ascended to the throne a few years previously and by now was no longer in power because of reasons beyond his control. In the 1960’s his name was John Kennedy. In the next millennium it was Barack Obama. Both had a glamorous wife and young children.
The trusted number 2 resumed the duties of the young prince. In 1968 it was Lyndon Johnson. In 2024 it was Joe Biden.
Lyndon Johson was known as someone entrenched in the machinations of the Senate (he was the powerful majority leader) who was expert at ushering a bill through the vote gauntlet, churning out laws at will. One could say Joe Biden was cut from the same mold. John Kennedy had named Johnson as his #2 for that very reason. Just as Barack Obama had done with Biden.
Both Johnson and Biden carried their predecessor’s vision and ushered through numerous legislation that gave Americans who were left out of the dream a seat at the table through civil rights legislation and the power of voting rights. Both also buttressed those in the middle class, recognizing through them the less fortunate and the most fortunate would also prosper by increasing middle class purchasing power. Legislation like Medicare and Medicaid by Johnson or paid family leave, child tax credits, infrastructure improvement, prescription drug relief and fostering a climate change economy through Biden.
The plotting antihero was around waiting for his opportunity to seize power and undo the prince’s legacy. Predominately he was a villain because he placed vanity and power ahead of service. He also broke the law and believed compliance was mandatory for everyone but him.
1968’s version was Richard Nixon. 2024 is Donald Trump. Both were subjected to impeachment. Nixon for Watergate, Trump for the usurping of foreign aid for political purposes and attempts to undermine the 2024 election.
In 1968, or 2024 the successor was running for reelection against the ever-scheming villain. He chose the city of Chicago as the location for his convention. The event was vulnerable to disruption by college students who were demonstrating on campuses all over the land over a war being fought in another part of the globe. 1968 was Vietnam. 2024, Israel and Hamas.
In 1968 and 2024 a Bobby Kennedy was running to disrupt the party.
Before the general election commenced the nominee abdicated the throne making way for HIS #2, Hubert Humphrey/Kamala Harris. On the ticket was a Happy Warrior from Minnesota.
Political assassination or the attempt thereof mars both presidential campaigns.
There was a rocket launching of astronauts to prepare the way for a manned lunar landing. 1968 and 2024.
If you wanted to see a movie there was a new Planet of the Apes playing at the local theatre. Or you could see The Rolling Stones in concert. They were touring to promote a new album.
For sports entertainment you could follow the Olympics in France (Summer or Winter). The Celtics are NBA champs.
How about watching the current Star Trek series on television.
Russia has invaded an Eastern European country and is saber rattling nukes towards the West.
China and Russia are aligned with an east Asian country that wants to be at war with us.
These are remarkable similarities. But If history truly repeats itself then the winner of the presidential race will bring us to a totally different reality. The end of Democracy. One this country has never seen before.
I’m hoping America can break this cycle.