That’s why Trump couldn’t believe it when he lost. Even worse in Trump’s view, he lost bigly to a decent guy spouting a lot of namby-pamby Sunday School talk. Most Americans welcomed Biden’s optimism about restoring human decency in national politics: “We can see each other not as adversaries, but as neighbors. We can treat each other with dignity and respect. We can join forces, stop the shouting and lower the temperature. For without unity, there is no peace—only bitterness and fury. No progress—only exhausting outrage. No nation—only a state of chaos.” Biden and Democrats knew they couldn’t wait for Republicans to get to work on restoring our democracy. Biden was President Obama’s vice-president when Republicans refused to help rebuild the U.S. economy the last time a Republican president destroyed it. Republicans believe the longer they can keep Americans struggling under Democratic presidents, even after Republican political disasters, the better chance Republicans have of returning to power. When Trump, a truly terrible candidate, was elected to succeed Obama, Republicans saw their lack of patriotism rewarded. But why do Republicans feel safe from the violent political fringe groups and outright domestic terrorists Trump attracted to their party? Weren’t they calling their loved ones to say goodbye during the Capitol riot just like Democrats were? Do sane Republicans still control their party? How do they know? If President Biden is right that enough of us have always come together as a unified nation to assure the survival of our American democracy, are Republicans sure they’re still part of it? Joel McNally was a critic and columnist for the Milwaukee Journal for 27 years. He has written the weekly Taking Liberties column for the Shepherd Express since 1996.
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.