Build Back Together
The founding fathers started this country in a revolution against tyranny. While they did not agree on every issue, they were united in the idea that representative government was the best of a wide range of imperfect solutions. Their bipartisan compromise created lofty goals for a budding republic, ones of free speech and press, of liberty and justice for all. American heroes like Abraham Lincoln, Susan B. Anthony and Martin Luther King Jr., fought their whole lives to make sure that the “all” in “liberty and justice for all” included every American no matter their race or gender.
Our ideals and democracy have survived a terrible assault. Domestic terrorists attempted a violent coup, Congress was evacuated during the peaceful transition of power and blood was spilled in our nation’s capital, a symbol of democracy and freedom. The Trump rioters embodied the dangers of misinformation, fascism and our current political climate. While this is the darkest day since Sept. 11 that I can remember, maybe, just maybe, we will realize that the way back into the light is together.
Shutting the door permanently on bipartisanship cannot be our response to this crisis. An extreme partisan divide and tribalistic politics both contributed to President Donald Trump's rise. Giving up on collaboration and across-the-aisle governance opens the door to another potential dictator.
As the party with control when Biden takes office, any effort to reestablish responsible, bipartisan governance has to start with Democrats. Not only do we as liberals need to pursue the policies that we know will better the lives of Americans, but we also need to extend an olive branch to conservatives who are willing to collaborate with us. Legislators and the new administration will need to listen to their Republican colleagues and incorporate their thoughts into legislation.
In turn, Republicans will need to work with Democrats in pursuit of uniting our country. Infrastructure spending, COVID-19 economic relief, and a vaccine rollout plan are all programs that most Americans favor and are therefore ripe opportunities for bipartisan legislation. Legislation like this will help normalize the parties working together again, instead of in spite of each other. All or nothing politics clearly do not work, as it has led us to be as divided as any point in our history since the American Civil War. Today, our nation needs politicians and people to come closer together. We need leaders to have the courage to put aside their own ambition and do what is best for this country. To build back better, we have to build back together.
The Lincoln Memorial (washington.org)
However, not everyone can be included in an effort to bring the parties closer together. The eight senators led by Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley and the majority of Republican representatives that voted to subvert the election are irredeemable. Their votes were an oath to fascism and Trump. They formally rejected democracy and the Constitution. They demonstrated that they are traitors and can never be trusted again. An attempt to include them now would justify their undemocratic and treasonous actions.
The Republicans that did not vote for Trump’s first impeachment, but today condemn him are harder to judge. They saw the clear danger of Trump remaining in office and chose political expediency over America’s wellbeing. Was Jan. 6 enough to wake these people up? They will soon have a chance to stand up and renounce Trump forcefully by voting for his second impeachment. If they want the opportunity to demonstrate to Americans that they are willing to do what is best for the country, this is it.
There can also be great advantages to working across the aisle. The issues facing Americans today are complicated and numerous. Since neither Democrats nor Republicans totally represent the American people, our best solutions can come from thoughtful deliberation between parties. Democrats and Republicans can contribute to policy by representing their constituent’s interests and passing legislation that helps struggling Americans. This is not to say liberals and conservatives need to agree on everything, but we need to work together and compromise.
The unification of our polarized nation will take time, effort and courage. It will be painful. It will take men and women refusing to take the low road, even when it is better for them personally, because in a republic you are loyal not only to yourself but also to your fellow citizens. It is far too early for America at its best to be inked into the history books. Liberty and justice for all is a creed that can stand the test of time. We just have to possess the strength and courage to fight for it.
