Biden: The right message

  By Reginald Johnson  

I really liked what Joe Biden said at his Inaugural about bringing people together and uniting the country. He promised he would represent all people, not just those who voted for him. His remarks were just what Americans needed to hear at a time when the nation is so divided.

  Here’s part of what he said: “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.”

  Very good. Now he needs to persuade members of the Democratic Party and their many supporters in the media to join in this effort. He needs to get people on the left to stop the namecalling and vitriol directed at Trump supporters. Stop the demonization and campaigns of blacklisting and censorship.

  This is a tall order. But I think Biden --- who comes from a blue-collar background and has years of experience in the political world where he learned to work with the opposition --- is capable of changing the tenor of the country. I will certainly support him as he tries to bring about a more united nation. 

 And it goes without saying that conservatives, from FOX News or wherever, have to step back and listen to what Biden has to say. Don’t jump on him from Day One, nitpicking over every move. Give him a chance, he might do something right.

 

 

Less rancor, more dialogue

 

By Reginald Johnson

For the new year I’m wishing for a more peaceful, less acrimonious America.

This country has been riven with division the last few years, and it’s really no good.

There’s been constant name-calling, with individuals and sometimes whole groups being smeared with the worst kind of labels. Terms like “fascist,” “racist,” “traitor,” “Russian agent,” “China stooge,” and “criminal” have been thrown around like candy.

 In some cases, these descriptions have been accurate. But many other times, they haven’t been, and reputations have been damaged, if not ruined.

 The constant back and forth and villification has not only poisoned the public discourse but made it much harder to get anything done with public policy.  

  It’s tempting to say it’s all Donald Trump’s fault.  Unquestionably, the man is a boor.  His personal attacks on people have often been hurtful and deeply offensive. But as the saying goes, ‘It takes two to tango.’ If Donald Trump jumped in the gutter, the left jumped in with him.

  Language coming from the left has often been rancorous and over the top. This is a departure from the left I knew years ago, when the right-wing seemed to have a corner on name-calling and ad hominem attacks. Not anymore.

 Michelle Obama a few years ago had a great line when she said: “When they go low, we go high.”

  Unfortunately, that suggestion hasn’t been followed. It’s time we follow it.

 I also heard some good words of advice from Missouri Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, who was commenting on healing the nation’s divisions during the riots last summer. He said people have to stop talking at each other and start talking with each other.

  “We have to listen,” he said.

Let’s bring the temperature down, stop shouting, stop accusing and listen a little bit to the other side.