ABC’s Designated Survivor seems to be on a roll with its liberal bias lately. This is the third week in a row where the show attempted to stuff in as much propaganda as it can in one hour. After tackling racism in capitalism and amnesty, the most recent episode is prepared to tackle the real enemy of the people: Republicans.
The October 25 episode “Suckers” follows President Tom Kirkman (Kiefer Sutherland) trying to pass a pension-bailout bill for state employees. To reach that, of course, he needs bipartisan support, which leads him to speak with a Republican senator outside of the White House. Needless to say, this gives the episode a chance to air out the rest of their grievances with the party, namely the supposed hypocrisy behind being the party of “individual responsibility.”
Kirkman: My point is that this financial scam didn't just hit the rich. It wiped out hundreds of thousands of state employee pensions. $8 billion in savings -- gone, up in smoke.
Fouse: You want me to support your pension bailout bill. But my party does not believe in bailouts. We believe in individual responsibility.
Kirkman: Until it's time to bail out Wall Street and the banks. Then the Republicans are all for it.
Fouse: You have a sponsor for the bill. A Democratic sponsor.
Kirkman: We need bipartisan support to get it across the finish line. Come on, Alan. That's why we're here. Government exists to help people who can't help themselves.
Fouse: That is not government, sir. That is charity.
Kirkman: [ Scoffs ] Fine. Then I'll make a stipulation that the American people are suckers. Come on, how long have we been playing hockey together -- three years? I've never even asked you to cross-check someone for me.
Fouse: I understand. But, sir, this -- this is a big ask.
Kirkman: Then don't do it for me. Do it for your own conscience. Barton Cushing's swindle is gonna cost the American people $31 billion. We're facing a potential run on the banks. Markets are teetering on free-fall. If we don't shore up consumer confidence, we might as well jump head first into the abyss.
Fouse: I'll run it up the flagpole.
Kirkman: Thank you. I appreciate it.
Fouse: Yes, sir.
Kirkman: Good game.
Fouse: Good game, sir.
Republicans hardly fare any better for the rest of the episode when that same senator slams Kirkman on public television for calling the American people “suckers.” Furthermore, he later reveals to the President that he likely only called out the leader of the free world for a “win” after having an affair following his wife’s cancer diagnosis. (A John Edwards plot, pinned on a Republican.)
A man who blocks employee bailouts for his party and ruins his marriage with a cancer-stricken woman? I’m starting to get the feeling the show doesn’t think highly of the GOP.
The Kirkman administration also comes under a little international fire when a member of the British Parliament is shot in a United States park the week she was set to give a speech at a G20 conference. Her topic? Illegal arms dealers, which means that now the international community is talking about gun violence in America. MI6 agent Damian Rennett (Ben Lawson) even notes that the headline in England is about their “brightest candle being snuffed out in America.” Judging from the quick shifting of blame from a shooter to America’s “gun violence” problem, it looks like the show doesn’t think that highly of America either.
At the rate this show is going, we’ll probably cover every liberal topic by the season finale. I’m just wondering when they’ll reach transgenderism. Now that would be a fascinating and disheartening Wednesday night.
