Almost all incoming presidencies face serious issues when taking office. Joe Biden’s seem especially daunting. He faces a severe economic recession and the continuing threat of the coronavirus pandemic playing out against the still unfolding political debacle left over from the previous administration. Add an impeachment trial that is arguably warranted but no one really wants right now, and the stakes are even higher.
Nevertheless, the prospect of an incoming Biden administration is dazzlingly positive for most Americans, our allies, and the world at large given the past four years. We see a return to sane and sensible government without the shenanigans and daily outrages of twitter assaults and constant lies. Our friends and allies relish the return of sober leadership devoid of vitriol and silliness. They look forward to the return of an America living up to its promise.
Things will not be easy. We need to sit down together and iron out our differences, speak softly, and learn that “compromise” is not a dirty word. We must rely on our skills to persuade and cajole and barter to get our way without demonizing our opponents. Our negotiations must be civil and governed by respect no matter how strongly we feel about the righteousness of our cause.
Those of us on both sides of issues should not abandon our visions, but we should not indulge our passions with hate, lies, conspiracy theories, and character assassination. We need to be who we are as liberals, conservatives, Democrats, and Republicans. We need each other, like it or not.
When all is done, our politicians should go to the floor of the House and Senate and out to the hustings and fight like hell for their views. And afterwards, they need to go out for a drink together as was often the case back in the dark ages of the twentieth century. And we need to learn to do the same.
*Artwork above courtesy of Jann Haynes Gilmore, Ph.D.
Board, American Women Artists
https://linktr.ee/JannHaynesGilmore
True! Politicians in the past used to argue and fight like hell, then have drinks together. Sort of reminds me of the Faculty Meetings we used to have at Southern Tech before it became “effete.”