Maintain Focus—Keep the Faith—Act

The last few days have dashed any hope I had that having seen what Trump incited on January 6—on top of all of the other insults to character and civility he has exhibited over the past four years—that this would persuade large segments of the Republican Party to finally abandon what he stands for. 

 

Only six Senate Republicans joined the Democrats in indicating that an impeachment trial was justified.  The final vote won’t be much different from that.  

 

It is disheartening to see this, to put it mildly.  But it should not stop us from focusing on what has been clear from the beginning as the only path forward to gain a semblance of unity in the country.  

 

We have taken the first step in electing Joe Biden.  His tone from the start has been the best one possible to lay the foundation for beginning to unify the country.  However, it is clear that tone alone won’t do it, especially because he is and should be taking actions that will be quickly labeled by the Republicans as partisan.  I refer to the number of Executive Orders he has issued, most of them turning back Orders which Trump had taken to turn back what President Obama had done.   

 

What will be needed now beyond tone are actions.  Actions that are seen by the great majority of the country as being right for them.  Actions that will get COVID-19 under control.  Actions that will bring the economy back.  Actions which will create jobs, hopefully through an infrastructure bill that can be passed soon.

 

It will only be actions seen to benefit the majority of the country, including millions who voted for Trump, including in rural areas and small towns where special help is needed.  Only actions like this will change the tide.  This is what had to happen after the Great Depression.  Large segments of the population hated (and that is the only word that applies) President Roosevelt’s plan.  But the tide was turned as the majority of Americans saw a decisive and capable president and an administration that was attacking the problems at hand and making life somewhat better for them.

 

That is what we need to focus on now.  Passing legislation that does those things. And insofar as possible, make it bi-partisan. 

 

Let’s stop the gnashing of teeth about how the Republican Party hasn’t reformed itself, as disappointing as that is.  Let’s dial down the rhetoric.  Let’s stay focused on what needs to happen for the improvement of people’s lives.