Jacqueline Hart Gibson, Peak to Peak . Biden’s inauguration kicked off the morning of January 20, 2021, and was attended by citizens happy to see Trump’s tenure end, celebrity guests and performances, media, political allies and foes of the Democratic Party, and about 25,000 US National Guard soldiers pulled from several states to help keep our country’s long standing tradition of the peaceful transfer of power. Thankfully the day was calm and reminiscent of inaugurations past. 

Trump left early but Mike Pence was there to represent a peaceful transition across party lines. Republican George W. was welcomed with past Democratic Presidents Clinton and Obama.  Garth Brooks, Jennifer Lopez and Lady Gaga all gave magnificent vocal performances. The surprise hit of the day came from poet laureate, Amanda Gorman.

Vice President Kamala Harris was sworn in, making history as the first woman and first Black South Asian Vice President of the United States. Although Harris’s identity is progressive, her politics, as evidenced by her voting record and resistance to refusing corporate donations, lean more moderate. 

The US takes a day off 

We have suffered so much fear and cynicism as a nation, it may feel easier to forgo our responsibilities of holding our leaders accountable for the policies they claim to support when earning our votes. Inauguration day was a good time to take a breath, stop thinking and enjoy the show. We needed a head space detox after the politically induced stress we all experienced from; Russia and long winded impeachment proceedings, phone calls to Ukraine, a higher White House staff turnover rate than most fast food restaurants, Coronavirus, masks, shut downs, Hunter Biden’s laptop, Qanon and the satanist baby blood drinking elitists, porn star payoffs, proud boys, RBG’s death and the disrespectful rush to fill her seat, and economic disaster, food shortages, increased suicides and overdose deaths, and the grand finale to the chaos of the last four years; the storming of the United States capital. 

It’s hard to imagine a time when all we were outraged by was whether or not a professional football player had first amendment rights while on the job, and whether or not starbucks holiday cups were religiously inclusive enough or not. As President Joe Biden said in his address, “This is America’s Day. This is democracy’s day. A day of history and hope. Of renewal and resolve.” Yes. America needed a day. 

President Biden’s words vs. record

The theme of Biden’s speech on January 20, was unity. He stated, “To all those who supported our campaign I am humbled by the faith you have placed in me. To all those who did not support us, hear me out as we move forward. Take a measure of me and my heart. And if you still disagree, so be it. That’s democracy. That’s America. The right to dissent peaceably, within the guardrails of our Republic, is perhaps our greatest strength. Yet hear me clearly. Disagreement must not lead to disunion. I pledge to you to be a President for all Americans.” 

Biden continued with more comforting and inspiring words. And likely most of America was nostalgic for the days when political speeches like these actually did make us feel better. But can Americans afford to get comfortable yet? It seems our collective eyes may have witnessed too much this time to go back. The last four years in politics were exhausting for all. But we paid close attention. Maybe that attention shouldn’t change. 

Biden spoke of our relationships abroad saying, “We will be a strong and trusted partner for peace, progress, and security.” Since our nation’s birth in 1776 we have been at war for going on 228 of our 245 years. As a senator, President Biden voted yes for every war where he was given the opportunity to cast a vote. Is he saying he now wishes to lead differently regarding foreign policy? Has he evolved in his thinking, as politicians like to say, around war and the imagined benefits that never seem to materialize for anyone who is not an independent contractor for the military? We can hope.

Our country has been starved for empathy, and Biden offered some much needed compassion in what he called his first act as President, asking listeners to join him in prayer for those lost during the pandemic:

“To those 400,000 fellow Americans, mothers and fathers, husbands and wives, sons and daughters, friends, neighbors and co-workers. We will honor them by becoming the people and nation we know we can and should be. Let us say a silent prayer for those who lost their lives, for those who lost their lives, for those they left behind, and for our country. “ - Amen

Returning to unity Biden closed his statements saying, “...with purpose and resolve we turn to the tasks of our time. Sustained by faith. Driven by conviction and devoted to one another and to this country we love with all our hearts. May God bless America, and protect our troops.” 

President Biden’s first day of work

After the ceremony, Biden got to work signing his first round of executive orders. Many of the orders were similar to Trump’s first day in that they had the effect of undoing what the previous president had prioritized, accomplished or mishandled while in office. Regarding climate change and care, Biden’s orders included; rejoining the Paris climate agreement, revoke permit for Keystone XL pipeline, and pause energy leasing in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). These orders are a good start. Environmental scientists and activism groups agree much more will be required to combat climate change.

Executive orders related to Covid-19 included; re-engaging with the World Health Organization, creating the position of Covid-19 response coordinator and orders aimed at addressing both the economic and national health care needs the pandemic created and/or revealed. 

What stands out as missing here is a healthcare plan that addresses the needs of people living through a global pandemic. Insurance plans attached to jobs, in a time when many are becoming suddenly under or unemployed through no fault of their own, is a system rooted in certain failure. In 2020 Joe Biden received over $100,000 in donations for his campaign from the health insurance and pharmaceutical industries. Could that be why we haven’t heard anything about expanding medicare, even temporarily, or a public option attached to the existing ACA? Biden made these promises on the campaign trail. When will we hear how he plans to shove off these big donors and do the right thing by the American people? 

How can we unite now

We may never all have the same point of view, but we can start now to discuss our differences without vitriol. The truth is the people agree more than we disagree. Polls show that the majority of Americans agree that; our healthcare system is a disgrace, a living wage for 40 hours of work is fair, and we don’t want endless wars. We may not all agree on how we get there, but we have common goals. 

American activist Paul Hawken said, “Real change occurs from the bottom up; it occurs person to person, and it almost always occurs in small groups and locales and then bubbles up and aggregates to larger vectors of change.” We can be that change. Our elected officials represent us, and it’s their job to fight for the best interests of the districts they represent, for us. It is not our job to fight for our representatives best interests. We have more in common with our neighbors and fellow Americans than we do with Washington. It’s okay if we start to act like it. 

(Originally published in the January 28, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)