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| Biden's victory speech last night (LA Times) |
Although the current President has defiantly vowed to fight on in court, I am convinced that he will eventually (and probably very quickly) lose that battle and concede.
As far as I am concerned. Biden has a clean slate. In a few months he will be my President just as the current President is now. He must be give a chance to govern by us all. No matter who we voted for. Choosing our leaders in a fair and democratic election is what this country is all about.
That said and leaning politically conservative as I do, I worry about the consequences of a Biden Presidency. Not so much because of Biden himself. But because his party has been influenced by the left far more than it was a short 4 years ago when he was Vice President.
Biden is a religious Catholic whose values have surely influenced him to be more of a centrist Democrat than a progressive one. But he clearly owes the left a lot for supporting him. It might even be said that it was the progressive vote that put him over the top in a very close election. My hope is that he remains loyal to his centrist roots and doesn’t cave to the left on policies that are important to me and about half the country.
As noted the country is more divided than ever. Biden’s election cannot and should not be a mandate for progressive policies. Last night he said that he recognizes that half the country did not vote for him and promised to be the be the President of all of us. Not just those that voted for him. He ran as a Democrat but will lead as an American. I hope that means that he will seriously consider what both sides feel is important to them and not automatically side with the politics of the left.
The issues that divided us are still there. But if he stays true to his word - my hope is that he will make policy decisions that will not leave conservatives completely out in the cold.
The most important issue of our day (agreed upon by Biden) is the highly contagious COVID-19 pandemic. I have not, however, changed my view on this. His polices will have little if any effect on the infection rate. Until there is a vaccine that can provide a level immunity for the majority of the world, COVID cases it will continue to surge. I hope I am wrong and that his new leadership will change things. But I’m not feeling it. COVID is spiking in Europe right now regardless of what their mostly liberal leadership has done. Until there is a vaccine, I don't think things will be any different here.
There are several other issues that are important where his leadership will make a difference. Just to address a few of them.
There is not a question in my mind that racism still exists in this country. Including but not limited to the police. I do not believe it is systemic. How can t be when so many police chiefs all over the country are themselves black. As are many police officers themselves.
However, there is enough of it so that a black man will justifiably fear being harassed by a white cop by virtue of his color. It may not happen in all circumstances. But it does happen in far greater proportion than it does to whites under similar circumstances.
That is just a fact. The President-elect has promised to eliminate that kind of discrimination. I hope he succeeds. But at the same time I hope that he does not emasculate police departments in the process. My hope is that he values law and order as much as he abhors racist cops.
Another important issue is the economy. Which may suffer at the hands of the ‘tax and spend’ philosophy which is the hallmark of the Democratic party.
His party’s support for the failed public school system – as it applies to the inner city is another area of concern. Will it continue to be the ‘black hole’ where much of his increased tax revenues would be going to go? Or will he consider the wisdom of school choice as a possible way out for inner city parents to get a decent education for their children? I fear the former over the latter. But, we'll see.
My hope as well is that he does not pack the Supreme Court to make it more favorable to the left.
With respect to foreign policy issues, I have two primary concerns. The first is that Biden has promised to restore the disastrous Iran nuclear deal. That will reduce sanctions and aid them in spreading terrorism around the world. Mostly by funding - and sending weapons and personnel to Israel’s enemies, Hamas and Hezbollah. All while only delaying their pursuit of a nuclear weapon for 6 more years. It is mind boggling how anyone sees that as a good idea. My hope is that he sees the folly of doing that.
Last but not least there is our relationship with Israel. This is where I worry the most. My fear is that the vastly improved relationship we have under the current President will evaporate as the Presdient-elect returns to the failed polices of the past. Although Israel is seen as an important ally by both parties the conditions of peace were seen mostly through Palestinian eyes. Where Israel is deemed an oppressive occupying force.
Thus condemning any settlement activity no matter where or how it took place. Even if it was just adding a room to house in a city just over the green line that the Palestinian leadership decades ago conceded to Israel in an eventual 2 state solution.
The current administration had abandoned that approach in favor of one that circumvents the Palestinian narrative blaming Israel for all their problems. Instead they have incentivized Palestinians to seek peace by offering to help alleviate much of the poverty forced upon them as pawns by the intransigence of their corrupt leadership.
And perhaps more importantly by seeking to make peace deals between Israel and Arab nations that are now more than ever willing to do so. To the complete chagrin of Palestinian leadership. Many Arab nations have recently actually done that. With more on the way. The more that happens, the less backing Palestinians will have for their demands.
It is not out of the realm of possibility that an eventual new leadership will see the wisdom of making peace without insisting on unrealistic demands. My hope is that the President-elect will continue along these lines and not resurrect the myopic paths of the past. Which can result restoring US willingness to allow the UN Security council to condemn Israel. If Biden does return to the polices of the past, that will get us nowhere very slowly! I sure hope he doesn't.
All of this remains to be seen. In the meantime I wish the President-elect success in his goal of reducing the harsh rhetoric and uniting the country. No matter how strongly each half of the country disagrees with the other half, let us return to listening to each other instead of vilifying each other. If that is even possible anymore.