Democracy and our Republic

Illustration by Tim O’Brien for TIME

I have been reflecting on the week's activities. President Biden made the following encouraging statement during his Inaugural Address: 

  We have learned again that democracy is precious. Democracy is fragile. And at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed. (Politico)

And I am encouraged. Democracy has prevailed. Despite the worst efforts of the unrepentant opposition, the inauguration happened and the will of the majority of the American people was confirmed on a cold, January Wednesday in Washington, D.C.

But there are still forces out there stalking, waiting for their moment. I found a paragraph from an article in Time Magazine which continues on from President Biden's thought:

But only barely. Biden now leads a country divided between Americans who believe in facts and Americans who distrust them, between those who want a multiracial Republic and those who seek to invalidate nonwhite votes, between those with faith in democratic institutions and those who put faith only in Trump. (Time Magazine)

I understand that now there are three strong political forces in the country. The Democrats, the Republicans, and the Cult of Trump.

I know that many people have been calling for a third political party to help balance the partisan fighting between the Democrats and the Republicans--but I am not sure that a party based upon a fervent religious adoration of Trump is a good counterpoint. I know that this statement will incite many of my friends and possibly family--but that is OK.

I point to the words of our President during his inauguration:

That’s democracy. That’s America. The right to dissent peaceably, within the guardrails of our Republic, is perhaps our nation’s greatest strength.Yet hear me clearly: Disagreement must not lead to disunion. (Politico)

And so, we, and I mean all of us, are on a journey. It is a two-year journey, for at that point we will be electing a new House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate. It will be a referendum on the Biden Administration and it will be in our hands to change course if we believe our Union is not on the right path.

But we must remember the starting point, from President Biden's Inaugural Address: 

We face an attack on democracy and on truth.
A raging virus.
Growing inequity.
The sting of systemic racism.
A climate in crisis.
America’s role in the world.
Any one of these would be enough to challenge us in profound ways.
But the fact is we face them all at once, presenting this nation with the gravest of responsibilities.
Now we must step up.
All of us.
It is a time for boldness, for there is so much to do.
And, this is certain.
We will be judged, you and I, for how we resolve the cascading crises of our era.
Will we rise to the occasion?
Will we master this rare and difficult hour?
Will we meet our obligations and pass along a new and better world for our children?

I believe we must and I believe we will.

(Politico)

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD