WINNING WAS THE EASY PART

As the Inauguration approaches, my thoughts turn to the future presidency of Joe Biden. I believe the mission of his administration will be to repair a damaged Democratic society.

He has no time to celebrate his electoral victory where a lifetime goal has been achieved, he cannot believe himself politically invincible and daydream of all his administration can accomplish. His age, damaged institutions and social divides can easily lead to the conclusion that he will serve only one term. This is just political realism.

In his campaign, my perception was that he had accepted this realism of a truncated moment of opportunity. In running for President he asserted the image of a cautious moderate that would be a dam against the uncontrolled flood of leftist movement in the Democratic party. The arrival of the pandemic killed his reverie. In the end, it would be easier to defeat Trump then deal with the pandemic which is now his priority.

Unless Georgia proves to be an unlikely end to Republican dominance in the Senate, Biden’s dreams of transformation may longer be possible. Will he be able to wield executive power like his predecessors? As a senatorial institutionalist, perhaps not. However, acceptance of a one term presidency may give him freedom to act in a bold manner and trade off his political cautions for political change.

In my opinion he will have the fortitude and political capital to accomplish the following:

1. 1. Re-create a Justice Department that can focus on reduction of the current concentrations of economic power embracing the bipartisan dissatisfaction with Big Tech and Internet control.

• 2. Reestablish and restore the civil service and regulatory state that Trump demolished.

• 3. Use the current pandemic and economic crisis to push for public investment in green infrastructure.

• 4. Build on the momentum of the current health crisis to establish an affordable healthcare network.

Regardless of Republican control in the Senate, I believe he will dare them to block an increase in the minimum wage to $15 an hour.

My hope is that Biden is energized with the sense of the possible. He has denounced systemic racism bluntly and directly. Despite the general animus against the proponents of the new green deal – Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders – he exhibited political deftness to adopt or incorporate some of plan elements into his portfolio.

My Belief is that Biden’s challenge is not just to advance my expectations as his reform program, but more importantly to rebuild the wreckage left by last four years of Republican rule. Who better to have the empathy and stamina to deal with a dazed and confused, frustrated and angry, selfish and intolerant nation? His personal history demonstrates his abilities to deal with family tragedy. I see that he has that ability to heal himself and those around him. He connects with the American public both physically and emotionally. Watch him as he reaches out to touch those around him and listen to his words carefully. We need a parent to restore the American family, mend its ruined institutions.

Winning the election, was the easy part. Now comes the existential challenge of healing the soul of America. As for me, I have faith in President Joe Biden, a man of faith.

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