The birthday of our nondemocracy

It’s the 4th of July, the day we celebrate our democracy. I don’t feel very celebratory, and neither do most people I know.

In four months we will elect a president amid widespread disenchantment with our choices. I’m not as down on Joe Biden as some are. I think he’s been a good president. But I worry that he’s not electable. He was already trailing Donald Trump in the polls before his weak performance in last week’s debate exacerbated concerns that he is too old and senile.

To know Chicago, visit its neighborhoods

In the May 30 South Loop newsletter The Dearborn Express, editor Al Hippensteel suggests an idea for this summer: “[V]isit three neighborhoods you’ve never been to.” I’ve actually been acting on a visit-the-neighborhoods resolution since the spring, so far going to Old Town, Lincoln Square, Humboldt Park, Pilsen, Little Village, Andersonville, Asian Argyle Street, and Indian Devon Avenue. 

But none of those are neighborhoods I’d never been to. I suspect that Hippensteel is setting his sights beyond the neighborhoods you’ll find in tourist guides, maybe even exploring without a list of what to see.

Are depressing stories turning you off to the news?

I remember reading an article some years ago by a highly educated man who said that he didn’t follow the daily news. He’d hear about anything major regardless, he reasoned, and there were more intellectually challenging things to occupy his mind.

I was shocked.