Dear Mr. President: You inspired us -- but "unity" with Republicans and Trumpists is a trap

[DonViejo]

Joe Biden's inaugural address was soaring, Lincoln-esque oratory — but his vision of national unity is dangerous

By CHAUNCEY DEVEGA

JANUARY 23, 2021 1:00PM (UTC)

Donald Trump — now the former president of the United States — was and is many things. An authoritarian and fascist and a demagogue. An abusive parent or spouse, on a societal scale, who delights in tormenting the American people. A destroyer. A person who encourages the worst of human behavior. Pathological. An apparent sociopath or psychopath. Evil, corrupt and enraptured with violence. A white supremacist. The worst president in American history. A traitor.

The American people held their breath in fear and anticipation of the horrible things that would — and did — come to pass in the final days of Trump's regime. When Joe Biden became president of the United States at 12 noon on Wednesday, they could finally let out a sigh of relief.

While many in the news media have celebrated Joe Biden's election, and now presidency, as averting or reversing catastrophe, that is not in fact true. Donald Trump inflicted numerous catastrophes on the United States: ramped-up authoritarianism, fascism and overt white supremacy; a coup attempt; a lethal plague; collective post-traumatic disorder; economic ruin.

Here's a more apt description of what Biden's presidency means for the country is as follows: If Donald Trump had won a second term, American democracy would have suffered an extinction-level event. Such is the enormous challenge facing the new administration.

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https://www.salon.com/2021/01/23/dear-mr-president-you-inspired-us--but-unity-with-republicans-and-trumpists-is-a-trap/

[Ferrets are Cool]

1. And no more than a dream. A dream we should not waste our time on pursueing.

As I have said before, this is the ONE time we should act like repugs. We have the power and should govern as though we do.

[Bluethroughu]

5. No, we don't act like repubs...

We need to yield the power the American people came out in record numbers to vote for us to do.

The American people are ready to see President Biden go down in history as a President that not only beat fascism but did more than FDR. To LIGHT THAT BEACON ON THE HILL!

2nd Bill of Rights.

[Demsrule86]

11. Actually that didnt happen in the Senate. We have a 50 50 majority...the thinnest of majorities.

Reality is tough sometimes. We need to show folks we can govern our we will have liitle to show for these four years and will lose the house in 22 and possibly the Senate. And in order to hold a majority we have moderates and conservadems as we always must because of the way our government Is structured.There are things we can accomplish but it wont be easy. And in order to do this this we have to work with some GOP types.

[Bluethroughu]

15. We have VP Kamala, and there are a couple Republicans

Left, I understand. Get rid of Filibuster and get on with passing policy 85% of the country in blind polling agrees with. Come 2022 we'll have a super majority and the republicon party will have nothing but themselves to change.

[Demsrule86]

20. There are Democrats who want to keep the filibuster. We had 60 votes at first in 2009

What you describe is possible but difficult. I would love to see the filibuster go.

[Bluethroughu]

24. I hope, after the installation of Barrett on The Supreme Court

The Democrats that are the hold up of ending the Filibuster, change their minds.

We are need of some serious care, and Republican obstruction will hold us back. These unreasonable people brought on this mess.

[Demsrule86]

27. I hope so too. But it is not a given.

[Ferrets are Cool]

29. Yeah, because that worked so well the last time we had a full majority.

[Ferrets are Cool]

30. Do you mean "wield"?

Because the word yield just doesn't make sense there.

[StarfishSaver]

6. There is NEVER a time for us to act like Republicans

"We're gonna do this effed up thing just this one time, but it's ok, because we're doing it for the right reason. And right after we catch back up, we'll go back to being the good guys" should never be a thing.

[Ferrets are Cool]

8. Well, we will agree to disagree. As I stated, we NEED to act like we won the election.

BECAUSE WE FUCKING DID. If it takes removing the filibuster, then do so. Our Democracy is at stake. The people voted for Democrats because they wanted change. We MUST give it to them, not kowtow to repugs.

[Demsrule86]

12. We won a small majority not a landslide.

[Ferrets are Cool]

13. And?

Does that negate ANY of the points I made? We should ACT like we won, because we DID.

[Demsrule86]

23. Honestly how? Some Democrats are reluctant to get rid of the filibuster.

And schumer and McConnell have to reach some sort of agreement. People act like it is easy to pass bills in a 50 50 Senate. It is not...going to be hard work. And McConnell didnt need an agreement on the Senate rules.

[Bluethroughu]

26. +1

This was meant for above post...and we won by a larger vote count, over the Republican candidate, in history?

[Thekaspervote]

16. +1000

[albacore]

17. What is wrong with investigations..? With exposure..?

When the Repubs are exposed for the seditionists they are, do we just forgive and forget? For the sake of "unity"?

You talk like the Dems and Repubs have equal culpability in the trashed America we ended up with, so we need to negotiate with them.

[StarfishSaver]

21. The Democrats have been in power for TWO DAYS and already have an impeachment trial scheduled

and you're complaining that there hasn't been enough "investigations" or "exposure"?

Thanks for proving my point.

[albacore]

28. You make shit up...

I never used the word "enough". Did I?

You never responded to the basic question I asked....

"When the Repubs are exposed for the seditionists they are, do we just forgive and forget? For the sake of "unity"?

[Demsrule86]

25. It becomes a waste of precious time. Did the American people vote for Biden so he could

spend years going after Trump ? No Biden ran on unity and helping everyday Americans. So lets get the Senate trial over quickly. I would love to see him convicted but I don't know if that is possible. Leave Trump to Justice and the states. We have to govern or we lose the house and maybe the Senate in 22 and/or 24.

[servermsh]

2. "Unity" is mostly messaging

Everyone in the world now knows that Biden wants unity and bipartisanship. It is good and effective messaging. It is now established as Biden's brand. It is generally a popular message (note that most American's aren't paying close attention and don't post at DU, etc.).

Biden can allow Pelosi and Schumer to do the dirty work (which Biden will be in favor of behind the scenes) while he takes the high road.

[Turin_C3PO]

3. Exactly.

Biden can be a uniting figure while Congress passes progressive legislation and the DOJ, FBI, and NSA come down hard on right wing extremists/terrorists.

[dawg day]

4. "Dems: Do what's needed, whatever it takes. Be FDR in 1933."

Ezra Klein

[Bluethroughu]

7. +1

It's long over due!

[Ferrets are Cool]

9. +1

[Demsrule86]

14. FDR won large congressional majorities. You want Biden to be our FDR support him

and send more Democrats to congress in 22 and 24.

[NYC Liberal]

22. In 1933, Democrats had a 72% majority in the House and 60% in the Senate.

[JimGinPA]

10. I Think It' A Trap For Repubs

I saw a piece Gary Tuckman did on CNN yesterday interviewing a bunch of Texans in the county where trump had the highest percentage of votes in the country. Every person interviewed commented on the "unity" message, most of them very favorably.

That message wasn't directed at the entrenched repub politicians, but to voters. And it's getting through.

President Biden is pretty sharp & has a crack team around him. When the repub congress critters inevitably refuse to come to any kind of compromise, even after Biden has reached out, the blame will be squarely on them in the eyes of voters.

[PufPuf23]

19. That is my take as well in Biden talking bipartisan unity

Maybe not specifically but a sound strategy and a wise course to start conciliarity in tone. This will bring in some independents and some GOP back into a body politic with more shared goals. To speak of unity is a sound and correct tone for our new POTUS.

Biden can keep himself apart from the crimes that have been committed but the professionals in the Biden Administration and Congress will do their jobs to investigate and prosecute and to rebuild a structure where democracy is better protected. Garland is a good choice as AG. Kamala Harris's experience as a prosecutor may also play well in the background. I am more positive at the moment than ever thought possible about treatment of these evil folks that tried to kill our democracy.

[Mr. Ected]

18. For Reptilicans, it's never UNITY

It's You-nity. As in, you do it.

They never seek it otherwise.

[NoRoadUntravelled]

31. A vision of unity is powerful and would change so many lives.

But at this particular moment in history to unite with Republicans and Trump supporters is asking too much. I cannot unite with that ideology without giving up values that define who I am and how I relate to the world. I just can't do it.

And with very few exceptions, there aren't many Republicans who would change their views to even try to meet half way.
So, no. I can't do it. I won't do it.