An Endless Series of Hobson's Choices

A "Hobson's Choice" is defined as: (1) an apparently free choice when there is no real alternative; and (2) the necessity of accepting one of two or more equally objectionable alternatives. In its second meaning, it can be compared to the popular expression "damned if you do, damned if you don't."

It occurs to me that the modern American presidency is a job defined as an endless series of Hobson's Choices:

Support Israel's war in Gaza (angering progressive and Arab-American voters), or act to protect needlessly suffering Gazan civilians (risking accusation of anti-semitism and support of genocide); 

Provide sensitive intelligence briefings to Der Furor (a provably untrustworthy scoundrel who could otherwise never qualify to hold a security clearance), or deny them (and be thunderingly accused of "election interference"); 

Try to reform immigration laws so they make sense (and offend both supporters and opponents of immigration, depending on what reforms are suggested); 

Support measures to decrease gun violence (and be denounced by gun rights advocates), or support unrestricted gun ownership and carriage (ensuring the probability of future mass murders); 

Advocate policies that ensure individuals and businesses pay fair shares of the tax burden (earning the support of Main Street), or support tax policies that benefit businesses and the wealthy, and place a higher burden on average taxpayers without political influence (earning the support of Wall Street); and,

Reduce government spending by cutting social programs (delighting the right and offending the left) or by ending policies that economically benefit businesses and the wealthy (delighting the left and offending the right). 

Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

Will Rogers was right ... we shouldn't elect a president, we should elect a magician.

Have a good day. More thoughts coming.

Bilbo