Hypocrisy in Politics: A Call for Fairness in Disability Rights

Author: Richard Natofsky
Published: 2025/06/02
Publication Type: Opinion Piece, Editorial
Category Topic: Editorials and Op-eds - Academic Publications

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: A personal editorial exposing political hypocrisy in addressing ableism, urging fair and consistent condemnation of discriminatory remarks by all leaders.

Introduction

Stop The Political Nonsense

On March 28, 2025, I contacted United States Representative Randy Weber who serves Texas' 14th District. On March 25, 2025, Rep. Weber proposed a resolution to censure Representative Jasmine Crockett. Specifically, Rep. Crockett referred to Governor Glen Abbott of Texas (wheelchair bound) as "governor hot wheels," proclaiming that "the only thing hot about him is that he's a hot ass mess." My correspondence addressed to Rep. Weber acknowledged that Rep. Crockett's choice of words was of poor judgment and should have been carefully selected. I argued that if a rebuke and censure is recommended for Rep. Jasmine Crockett, then do the same for other politicians who have also dishonored the disabled. I referenced Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as prime examples.

Main Content

Donald Trump is our highest-ranking elected leader whose words and behavior supposedly are to serve as a standard to others. I pointed out that Trump's actions have repeatedly shown that he despises Americans with disabilities. At the start of his second presidential term, Donald Trump and his administration stopped providing American Sign Language interpreters (ASL) during press briefings and other public events. Donald Trump openly mocked a newspaper reporter's physical disability, he teased the stutter of Joe Biden, he was quoted in a family book, "All in the Family" written by Donald Trump's nephew Fred Trump as asserting that severely disabled people such as Fred Trump's son should die and insinuated that those employees with disabilities as the cause of recent airline and helicopter mishaps.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy spoke of autistic children in a degrading, dehumanizing language. Kennedy remarked that these are kids who will never pay taxes, they will never hold a job, they will never play baseball, they will never write a poem, they will never go out on a date, they will never use a toilet unassisted. This language is widely inaccurate, offensive and immensely insulting.

Issues pertaining to the vile treatment of people with disabilities by Trump and Kennedy was never a focus or concern of Rep. Weber. He did nothing. I requested that Rep. Weber maintain consistency and rid himself of hypocrisy. His allegiance to the Republican party must have no bearing on a decision to pursue censure recommendations. Note that Rep. Weber is Republican and Rep. Crockett is a Democrat. In his response to my displeasure, Rep. Weber repeated the transgressions associated with Rep. Crockett. The anti-disabled comments spoken by Trump and Kennedy were entirely ignored by Rep. Weber and were not addressed in his reply to me.

People with disabilities have achieved significant strides in gaining respect and acceptance. Additional progress still remains. Congress must not tolerate attacks by anyone including Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. against people with disabilities. Our politicians in office must step up and consistently admonish all verbal assaults mocking people with disabilities. Politicians must do this regardless of their party affiliation and source of their political endorsements. Partisan politics represents an evil plague that hinders the progress associated with people with disabilities and other health care challenges.

As a person with a profound hearing loss acquired during infancy, my encounter with Rep. Weber left me exceptionally enraged and motivated to speak the obvious truth. Silence reinforces the behavior of Rep. Weber as hypocritical and one of cowardice. An insensitivity of discriminatory behavior infers that politicians are in concurrence with the choice of words spoken against the disabled or are afraid to say something because of fear of retribution from their political party. Their silence is alarming and violates the rights of all. Politicians must be true to themselves and to our country. Stop the hypocrisy and double standards. Stop the political nonsense. Develop a spine. Practice honesty and fairness for all Americans.

The road that I have traveled was one of constant bumps and roadblocks. My adolescence was filled with peer ridicule. My adulthood was met with bias and partiality. I learned that a disabled individual must persevere continually and never relent. The late college basketball coach Jimmy Valvano said it best, "Never give up". As an individual with a profound hearing impairment, I will continue to actively fight for the fair treatment of people with disabilities. I implore our political leaders to step up their efforts and respond to each instance of a discriminatory activity. Do not choose to look the other way and thus hinder the progress that still remains.

About the Author

Richard Natofsky is a retired finance professional. He has a profound hearing loss since infancy and has served as a lifelong advocate for people with disabilities.