After a contentious campaign and then a contested election, we have installed a new president and vice president and are getting a new cabinet and governmental department heads. Our not so peaceful transfer of power has taken place.
President Biden and Vice President Harris are hard at work establishing a new administration and trying to alleviate some of the burden that the pandemic has placed on our people and our economy. With only a slim majority in Congress, they will need help from the opposition party. Will they get it?
In the meantime, and I do mean MEAN time, we have been dealing with trying to rid ourselves of the aftermath of the previous administration. The insurrection on January 6th was shocking, frightening, and dangerous, dangerous not just to the people there trying to defend the capitol, and the politicians inside trying to achieve a peaceful transfer of power, but to our nation as a whole, and to our system of rule of constitutional law.
The resultant impeachment of the former president was just and necessary. The Trial Managers, who are elected members of the House of Representatives, yes, politicians, presented a truthful and thorough case for impeachment. The former president's lawyers were less bound to the truth, but it was hard for them to present a defense against the indefensible. That the outcome was preordained is sad, but politics - political party loyalty - can get in the way of justice.
I watched almost all of the impeachment proceedings. I formed my own opinions. Others will have differing points of view, opinions. Opinions are subjective. What we need to take care to do, though, is to separate fact and truth from opinion. Fact and truth are not subjective. There was plenty of fact and truth in the Trial Managers' presentations.
I have heard it said often that all politicians lie. No, they don't. Yes, politicians will have different points of view, opinions, but you need to look for the underlying truth. Is it there? My elected Senators and my Congressman do not lie. If yours do, you need to get rid of them. But you need to look hard for the truth, and not some rumor or conspiracy theory. And we are allowed to have different opinions as long as they are based on fact.
Now we move on. We have a new administration with a mostly old Congress. Progress won't be easy, but it will come. Many good people will be working hard for us. Some will not. Support those who operate on the basis of truth and the well being of our country and its people.
"Politics" is the language and operating system of government. Don't denigrate it. Make it work for us.
So very well said, Linda. I was sad but not surprised by the trial results. Everyone involved will face his or her own Karma because all actions have consequences.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree Linda. Joe's work has just begun and so has ours. We can't sit back and let him do all the heavy lifting. We need to make sure he gets the tools he needs in the 2022 elections.
ReplyDeleteThis time in the history of our country is not an easy one, but as you said, we will make it through. Our government is strong, and we will be ready to help make sure we stay a peaceful and united nation. Thank you for this post on Presidents Day, Linda. I am hopeful. :-)
ReplyDeleteI like this. You are asking for a simple thing...compromise.
ReplyDeleteI agree but fear what #45 can still plan out for the future!
ReplyDeleteNicely said Linda, I enjoyed this. No grandstanding, just common sense--and you're 100% right, politics is NOT a dirty word. I appreciate opinions from different sides, as long as it's not silly propaganda being spewed.
ReplyDeleteHear, hear! Or is it Here, here! We have a new regime and a brighter new beginning.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post! If we could only deal in facts and not conspiracy theories and propaganda, we might have a chance. It used to be that the parties differed in their platforms and stances, but not in their approach to the truth. It makes me very sad.
ReplyDeleteDear Linda,
ReplyDeleteWe agree with all you write here.
It is important to be aware of politics and what is happening in government since the decisions made there affect every aspect of life in varying ways. To be unaware is to be seriously disadvantaged.
We hope that the new administration will bring healing for the deep wounds which have been inflicted and a new and dynamic hope for the future. truth is the key, seeking it out may be problematic but we should at least try.
This is an excellent post, Linda. It’s so wonderful to now hear of government and the White House working constructively to help the country and the world as well. I feel like America is back again. There are still glitches and still conflict, but at least I feel like we’re now on a more positive path.
ReplyDelete