An old friend of mine from Graduate School used to play drums in a band. He is also a brilliant biologist. When Elvis died in 1978, until today, he remains insistent that Presley’s death is a myth and the singer remains alive. Along with most of the world, I believe to the contrary and don’t expect a miraculous reemergence of Mr. Presley. Credible evidence does not exist otherwise, and most consider the case closed. Hopefully, forty years from now we will not still be debating the “Big Lie” that contends the 2020 Presidential election was rigged.

In the same contentious manner shared by many Americans, debate is already spreading about the cause(s) of the recent tragic building collapse in Florida. Sparked by a 2018 Engineering Study of the structural integrity of the building which highlighted major safety concerns, people are wondering why that information was not widely shared three years ago. But, unlike the absence of credibility regarding affirmations of Elvis’ health and Trump’s “victory,” it is likely that enough plausible information will soon emerge revealing the why a twelve-story building suddenly fell.

With Trump and 2020, the facts are in. Election audits, government reports and reams of data make evident that this election was probably the most secure ever. Yet, thousands, if not millions of people remain convinced that an unelected person is serving as our President. Why? First, stupidity. Remember, there are many Americans who can be too easily convinced that the moon is made of green cheese. Also, an explanation rendered by noted psychiatrist Erich Fromm, in his book ESCAPE FROM FREEDOM, is quite revealing. He argues that individuals do not readily make difficult decisions autonomously. Instead, they seek emotional and practical support from those who can supply easy answers for their problems and concerns. They thus turn to their “Leaders,” be it a Mussolini, Hitler, or Trump. Whether their perceived problems are due to Jews, Socialists, immigrants, or Muslims, they require a person, and/ or group, to blame for their difficulties. They then can shift accountability away from themselves for whatever is problematic. That’s where occurrences such as the “Big Lie” enter the picture.

As with Elvis’ health, Trump, et al have no facts to support their claims, so they must be made up. In Florida, to the contrary, there already are, or will soon be facts to explain a building’s collapse. The truthful explanation may be contentious, but it will likely derive from reality. Other than the actuality of Trump dying his hair, there is little about him that meets the same standard.

In 2024, a Presidential election will be held. In the intervening period between now and then, a political party filled with “Know Nothings” will likely continue to chip away at American democracy. The other party, the Democrats, despite its abysmal failure to FORCEFULLY challenge and confront the political and social evils fostered by the Republicans, still has enough time and opportunity to develop a strategy that does so in a smart and powerful manner. The American experiment in freedom is on the line.