One way to interpret the election result is that the left defeated the right. I'd reject that notion. In my book, the better way to understand the vote is that reality beat fiction.
And it was a relatively close call.
Joe Biden says he wants to help America heal, but that's unlikely to happen over matters of policy. It certainly is not going to help to advocate being liberal instead of conservative. Great people can be both.
No, Biden's real position of power is to focus relentlessly on the truth.
The coronavirus is real, not fake. The economy is weak not great. Climate change is real not fake. Pre-existing conditions are covered under Obamacare and no other option. The trade deals Trump rejected are flawed but better than no deals. Russia is our enemy not our friend. NATO is in the U.S. interest. China did not create Covid-19. Structural racism is real not fake. Mail-in votes are overwhelmingly honest votes; corruption is rare and inconsequential.
There is more like this, it is a very long agenda. But he could start with one main truth -- the news you receive from America's main outlets is real -- and not fake -- news. What *is* fake are the conspiracy theories that stoke your fears and play on your prejudices.
This will be a tough sell, because nobody likes to look in the mirror and admit they are prejudiced.
In his quest to heal, Biden will need to adhere to a strict use of language when he speaks. He needs to avoid the superlatives -- greatest, best, most, biggest and so on. These are Trumpian words, and they are categorically untrue in virtually every case.
For this reason, a tempered approach to the English language is what I recommend. Those nuances will translate just fine into the many other languages spoken here and overseas. We should never under-estimate the power of honest language to change hearts and to change minds.
The Biden-Harris victory is a victory for truth, a victory for journalism over conspiracy theory.
Here is a summary of the real news:
* ‘It’s time for America to unite,’ says president-elect (WashPo)
* Joseph R. Biden Jr. has spent his career devoted to institutions and relationships. And those are the tools he will rely on to govern a fractured nation. (NYT)
* Jared Kushner has approached President Trump about conceding the election (CNN)
* Biden plans immediate flurry of executive orders to reverse Trump policies (WashPo)
* Foreign leaders showered the president-elect with congratulations. For many, the importance of this election was as much about removing Mr. Trump as ushering in Mr. Biden. (NYT)
* As Kamala Harris breaks barriers, India and Jamaica celebrate (WashPo)* The coronavirus lockdowns have taken a steep toll on Paris’s “bouquinistes,” whose bookstalls stretch for miles along the Seine. “We are barely making enough to eat.” (NYT) |
* How Trump’s erratic behavior and failure on coronavirus doomed his reelection (WashPo)
* Democracy Worked This Year. But It Is Under Threat. -- America’s pandemic election was a remarkable, unlikely feat — conducted under assault from its president. (NYT)
* Our long national nightmare is over (WashPo)
* The top Senate Republican issued no statement congratulating President-elect Biden, while a leading House Republican echoed President Trump’s protestations that the election was not, in fact, over. (NYT)
***
You've heard that I'm wild and I'm free
You may wonder how I can promise you now
This love that I feel for you always will be
But you're not just time that I'm killin'
I'm no longer one of those guys
As sure as I live, this love that I give
Is gonna be yours until the day that I die
Forever and ever, amen
As long as old men sit and talk about the weather
As long as old women sit and talk about old men
If you wonder how long I'll be faithful
I'll be happy to tell you again
I'm gonna love you forever and ever
Forever and ever, amen
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