Thoughts On President Biden’s Speech

Posted on by under Bits 'n Pieces, Environmental Issues, Global Issues, guns, Law and justice, Political commentary, Racism & Bigotry, voting rights

Tonight, I watched President Biden’s address to the joint session of Congress and to the people of the United States.  I was impressed with the President, thought he made good points, saw that he was trying to acknowledge the differences between the two sides of the aisle, while urging them to work together, to find some common ground, to compromise.  He was both professional and passionate, gave hope in saying he believed we could find ways to come together as a nation.

I was not impressed by Mitch McConnell, who sat stone-faced and did not once stand or applaud the President, nor was I impressed by Ted Cruz, who was caught on camera sleeping.  I suspect Ted wasn’t actually sleeping but was putting on an act, as he so loves to do.

President Biden has a lot of good ideas, things that need to happen to help the people of this nation move into the 21st century, such as expanded healthcare, voting rights, education, gun laws, clean energy, reducing income inequality and more. But it seems to me, both from what I’ve heard and what I saw on the faces of congressional republicans during Biden’s speech, that there isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell of any of his policies passing through Congress.

It should be noted that the majority of people in both parties in this country support most of what Biden is trying to do, however the people they have elected to sit in Congress, to represent them, do not, in fact, represent them but rather represent their own interests.  Take voting rights, for one example …

While it is true that the Republican Party has snowed over half their base into believing that there was widescale voter fraud in the 2020 election, the majority of people know the truth, that in fact there was no voter fraud other than a few isolated cases that would not have changed the outcome.  We do not want the right to vote taken away from anybody.  If any single eligible voter is denied the right to vote, is disenfranchised by restrictive measures such as ID laws, closed polling places, lack of postal vote, lack of sufficient ballot boxes, then this nation can no longer claim to operate under democratic principles.  The very notion that Republicans are attempting to make voting damn near impossible for the elderly, students, Black and Hispanic people, and the poor is an abomination.  Simple passage of the two voting rights bills sitting in the Senate today could nullify all the attempts by Republicans in the states to disenfranchise half of this nation.  But, at this juncture, those bills are destined to fail, for the Republicans plan to vote as a bloc to block them.

Gun laws?  DOA, for again, Republicans will vote as a bloc and the United States will continue to see blood literally running in the streets.  I once thought, foolishly it seems, that the people we elected would work in our best interest, but this no longer seems to be the case.  The majority of people in this nation would support stronger background checks, abolishing ‘ghost gun’ kits, and banning assault weapons, but … nearly every Republican senator in Congress has an ‘A’ rating with the NRA.  They have taken money from the NRA, and in return have promised to vote against any form of gun legislation that comes to the floor.  They have turned this nation into a killing field.  And We the People have let them.

I appreciate President Biden’s optimism … I really do.  I have the utmost respect for him, his ideas, and his efforts.  However, unfortunately I do not share that optimism today.  There is a “us vs them” mentality in this country, and even when people realize that their elected official is acting against their best interest, they will re-elect him/her because they refuse to vote for the other party.  If Mitch McConnell stood up and said, “Look, people, I don’t give a damn if you starve to death, or if you get shot by your neighbor,” the people of Kentucky would still re-elect him!

Bipartisanship???  What’s that?  It’s been a decade or more since I’ve seen any genuine effort on the part of Republicans in Congress to compromise, to talk, to find middle ground.  They are the party of “NO”.  Can Joe Biden change this?  Hmmmm … he may be able to make inroads, with a bit of help from the Democrats and from the more moderate Republicans, but I don’t have much confidence that we will see any true efforts to ‘reach across the aisle’ as long as there are assholes like Lindsey Graham, Josh Hawley, Ted Cruz, Lauren Boebert, Mitch McConnell, that Greene woman, and others whose goal in life is to obstruct and destroy.

On a scale of 1-10, I give President Biden a 10 for his speech tonight.  I hope he can do even a fourth of what he hopes to accomplish, and I sincerely hope that this nation can put aside partisan politics long enough to help people, to save lives, and to preserve this nation.  I hope they all prove me wrong when I say I think the divide is so great at this point that there can be no healing of this country.

25 thoughts on “Thoughts On President Biden’s Speech”

  2. Probably all we can hope for is those on the “other side” who were willing to tune in and listen to him actually saw the value in the things he said. As to whether they will support his plans in the big picture is another matter entirely.

    (Actually, I just read David’s comment and see that essentially, he said the same thing! Great minds … )

    Liked by 3 people

    • It seems that the Republicans in Congress are more devoted to the party ‘leadership’, such as it is, than they are to their constituents. Like you, I’m hoping that the PEOPLE of this nation listened to what Biden said, and understood that contrary to what their representatives are telling them, da Prez is looking out for their best interests, not the wealthy donors, not the big corporations, but the PEOPLE of this nation. Sigh. Those people have hard heads, and they’ve believed the lies they were told for so long, that I don’t know that there’s hope anymore.

      Ah yes, two of my bestest friends naturally share great minds!

      Liked by 3 people

  3. I agree with you, Jill. The only way he has a chance of getting his agenda passed is to either reform or abolish the filibuster rule. As I’ve said before, that rule is tantamount to dictatorship by the minority.

    Liked by 3 people

    • but the dems were okay with the fillabuster when it worked to their advantage. Just like the nuclear option, they liked it when it worked for them but when it bit them in the ass, they cried wolf like a bunch of petulant babies.

      Liked by 2 people

    • It was a really, really stupid rule to start with! Right about now, I’d vote to abolish the entire Senate and rely only on a single chamber to make laws! Sigh. Have I mentioned that I hate this country today?

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Jill, what I find of interest, the Republicans had a chance to pass an infrastructure bill when the previous president was elected (as he campaigned on it). The Dems would have supported it (and said so) and Trump could have come out of the gate with a bipartisan bill to move the ball forward. The needs have been in existence of over a decade. It could have set the Trump presidency off on a better trajectory.

    Instead, he and the Republicans focused for seven months on taking health care away from Americans with some of the most god-awful ideas and process. (so says this retired actuary and benefits consultant). McCain voted it thumbs down because his party did not follow due process and rammed through terrible legislation. So, that was the trajectory Trump chose.

    As for Tim Scott’s rebuttal that Biden is dividing us, I seem to recall a major effort to say Biden stole the election that continues to today. In short, my former Republican party is saying through their spokespeople, “It is your fault we won’t play with you.” Keith

    Liked by 3 people

    • It is interesting, and in my book is proof that he and his sycophants never had We the People in mind, but only their own donors’ agenda, and that was to demolish ACA, among other things. And as for healthcare, he promised a “beautiful plan, the best plan ever” for four years, and never even managed to write one … there was never going to be an alternative to ACA … millions of people were simply going to find themselves without any.

      I growled as I watched Tim Scott’s rebuttal, for it is not the current president who is further dividing this nation, but rather the former one and those who still tell the Big Lie. I am so sick of it all.

      Liked by 2 people

  7. it’s okay for Nancy pelosi to publicly rip up the state of the union address when trump was president but if the republican’s aren’t jumping and cheering for biden, they get publicly chastized? the hypocrisy is unbelievable, and, for the last time, requiring an ID to vote is not racist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    by the way, Tim Scott’s response was okay, I’m not a Christian like him but that doesn’t matter.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yes, Scott, requiring voter ID can be very much racist. Many Black people have no photo ID, just as many poor people of any colour have none. And, recently, Student IDs are not being allowed, but in some states TWO forms of photo ID are required. I don’t have two forms, and I don’t have transportation to a polling place, but have relied on postal voting for years. Take that away, and … I cannot vote. How fair is that?

      Liked by 2 people

  8. Thank you for sharing!!… McConnell, Cruz and others had the opportunity to show off their arrogance and try to portray a image, having center stage…primarily for their supporters… and they are the poster child for those who elected them into office.. 🙂

    Again, the key is the foundation and as long as they are in closed minded denial, rejecting possible change no matter how small, whatever happens in Washington will be mute… change needs to start at the foundation, not the top…. You, I and others can probably accomplish more working with the people than we ever could occupying office.. 🙂

    “A home that is built with patience, understanding and love will withstand the strongest winds of difficulties and conflict , a home built with a closed mind, insincerity or haste will collapse in a mere breeze of discontent.” (Larry “Dutch” Woller )… 🙂

    Until we meet again..

    May the road rise to meet you
    May the wind be always at your back
    May the sun shine warm upon your face
    The rains fall soft upon your fields
    May green be the grass you walk on
    May blue be the skies above you
    May pure be the joys that surround you
    May true be the hearts that love you.
    (Irish Saying)

    Liked by 3 people

    • You make some excellent points, Dutch, especially that change has to come from the people. It seems that those who would benefit the most from some of the changes Biden wants are blinded by the lies that have been told by not only politicians, but also the media. As you say, you and I can probably make more of a difference talking to the people, the voters, but how? How do we remove those blinders they are wearing? How do we make them actually think for themselves rather than listening to those who have only self-interest at heart?

      I do love your quote about a home built with love vs one built with a closed mind … all so true. And thank you for the Irish Saying, for you know I always love those … they bring a smile to my face!

      Liked by 1 person

      • Keep doing what you are doing,… your fingers doing the walking and your heart doing the talking!… for some it will never change but there are those out there who are not heard that are looking for answers, be that person.. 🙂

        I watched that heavy door begin to close,
        all the while the winds above me rose.
        The years whisper and whistle back into my ear,
        the memories haunted by sorrows and fear.

        With a new day it finally dawned on me,
        the past needed locking and I had the key.
        Leave it behind, leap and fly away free,
        let the winds of change blow and carry me.

        Feel them lifting my wings now able to soar,
        up to an open sky and caged no more.
        Flying so fast to where no hurt can find,
        a place of peace now inhabits my mind.

        This heart full of courage never ceases to beat,
        knowing my history is not destined to repeat.
        Clear paths now lead me to a new destination,
        for my life, my future and the next generation.
        (Kelly Deschler )

        Until we meet again..

        May the sun shine all day long
        Everything go right, nothing go wrong
        May those you love bring love back to you
        And may all the wishes you wish come true
        (Irish Saying)

        Liked by 2 people

  9. I hope the Republicans as people, not Republicans as the GOP will not apply a blindfold to Joe Biden’s vision. All of what he said fully applied to the benefit of all citizens of the U.S. and not just those on the Democratic side. In help on education alone the U.S. could make tremendous strides forward and the infrastructure plan could provide work for many as well as benefiting the environment. It really is time to stand up and be counted for those who see a new and improved United States emerge from the Covid19 crisis.
    Cwtch

    Liked by 4 people

    • That is what I would hope, too … that they think for themselves, not merely follow the ‘party line’, which seems to be to block anything and everything. I’d like to see their constituents actually understand what Biden is proposing, understand that it is to their advantage, and then find their voice to demand their elected representatives actually represent them, not merely the wealthy donors. Another pipe dream, I fear. Perhaps someday people will use their brains to try to think logically.
      Cwtch

      Liked by 2 people

Comments are closed.