Solutions, not slogans

by | Apr 19, 2021 | Editor's Blog | 1 comment

In the immediate aftermath of Joe Biden’s inauguration, I felt a sense of relief. The rage tweeting and childish name-calling that defined the Trump presidency were over. The government was again functioning more rationally and less chaotically as career public servants replaced Trump sycophants in high level positions. My confidence in our leaders was somewhat restored. 

Initial victories proved that government could make a difference in people’s lives. Instead of inconsistent messages spilling from the White House, the Biden administration got down to the business of rolling out a vaccine. By this past weekend, more than 3 million people per day are getting stuck. They pushed through a stimulus bill that’s goosing the economy back to life. Consumer confidence is rebounding and unemployment is falling. Americans are feeling optimistic about their future again. 

Some things, though, aren’t changing. We’ve had a disturbing spate of mass shootings, including eight people killed at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis. Unarmed young Black people, mostly men and boys, keeping getting killed by police. The prolific use of guns in the country is taking a terrible toll on our country. The battle over what to do about them is keeping us divided. 

Instead getting unified in looking for solutions, we’re unified in digging our heals into our positions. As I traveled across eastern North Carolina this weekend, Blue Lives Matter flags flew alongside Trump signs. People wanted to show their unwavering support for police, no matter how many people died. 

In Raleigh last night, protestors descended on downtown to protest the death of Daunte Wright. The scene was reminiscent of the summer when George Floyd protests left the city boarded up. Protests began peaceful but became more rowdy as night fell. Fortunately, the crowd never got out of hand or destructive. 

Still, the gap between nothing can be done about police and gun violence and defund the police and ban guns is huge. We still need to reclaim the middle in this country. We need solutions, not slogans. Republicans, in particular, are hemmed in by a base that is uncompromising and dogmatic. They are more interested in bashing their opponents than saving the lives of their fellow Americans.

In addition, the immigration problem that’s plagued us for more than two decades isn’t going away soon. The country needs comprehensive immigration reform. It’s a complicated problem that requires hard work and compromises. Republicans have been scuttling compromises since George W. Bush proposed a plan that may have solved the problem for a generation. I suspect Republicans don’t really want it to go away. They can decry the influx of foreigners and keep their base engaged and motivated. 

We may get the pandemic under control in this country over the next six months or so, but the problems that have divided us won’t go away. The extremes are driving much of the argument, helped by the outrage machines on social media and cable news. The GOP has been fully captured by its right-wing base and the left is flexing its muscle in the Democratic Party. We need a caucus of real problem solvers, but that doesn’t seem to be on the horizon. In the meantime, I’ll pull for Joe Biden who really does seem to want to get big things done.

1 Comment

  1. Edwin Finch

    Politics NC,
    Long term solutions may be in electing the right politicians at every level, but the best short term hope is to deal with the best 10 GOP Senators available, in the US Senate now. Hopefully there are some that can really put America First, instead of using “America First” as a false political slogan to put “their political tribe” first. Yes, it is a long shot to get enough GOP Senators on board, but we should give it a try. —— early candidates are ones critical of the 06 January attack on our democracy ,

    For my part, I have sent the message below to Senator Burr directly. Also I sent it to Chris Cuomo and Don Lemon of CNN as an “open letter” to all GOP Senators.

    You may choose to sent it or something similar to your favorite Senator.

    Edwin Orville Finch

    Message to GOP Senators:

    Stop it: “Stop the Silence”. It is destroying us.

    (An open letter to democracy supporting Republican Senators)

    Honorable Senator (Name),

    Too much “silence” by Republicans like yourself, to the “dog whistlers”, anti-fact, far right batch of “blatant believers in being superior to the ‘other'”, has to stop. You have to take a moral stand!

    In my view, Republicans are now far less inclusive, more divisive, and beyond racist in a way I have never seen before in this Tar Heel’s 83 years on this planet. There is an underlying “racism” today that makes Senator Jesse Helm’s version look like child’s play.

    One can not remain silent in face of intrinsic wrong doing. Silence is complicit!

    Speak up ! It is the only way to help the Republican Party (and the Democratic Party) to keep American political principles just and free of hatred, extortion, and bigotry.

    May I suggest that you even side (and vote) with the folks across the aisle if the issue is “fact based” and the decent thing to do.

    Act for “We the People”.

    Do not lend the least bit of leniency to those “life sucking sounds” from the loud “crazy” on the extreme right. They are not constructive; nor do they promote republican or democratic values. And that is true whether you spell the words beginning with “r&d” or “R&D”.

    The “crazy” may have a “base” that has become that by being sold “the lie” by “The Music Man”. (Remember the Broadway Play? — right here in River City?) —— But it is not right for it to reign and hold one of America’s political parties as its “toy”. — for its nefarious game & gain.

    Support Biden, our “every American’s” President, and the potential for unity, healing, infrastructure, and clean jobs every time you can. Be a part of a 60 plus vote majority in a bipartisan Senate.

    And talk/deal with other Senators ’til the job is done.

    Bid in love for America; it trumps hate.

    Edwin Orville Finch

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