It's easy to see why those that don't follow politics closely, can be disheartened by inaction and seemingly dysfunctions of our government.
Many of us were reminded that you can't complain if you don't vote. Being able to vote is our only option to bring about change and progress. And to complain if we don't like what we're seeing. It's our constitutional right and democracy we're talking about.
We were called, and we answered the call in numbers never seen before in a general election. No, Biden wasn't my first, second or even third choice for president, but now I'm fully onboard and happy that he will seek a second term.
But we only have a small window to accomplish, what is needed for President Biden's agenda and hopefully his second term. Because of Trump and all of his fascist policies, Biden has so much work to do just to get us back to where President Obama left off. So much time to make up for and priorities waiting to be addressed.
Biden has already made big strides moving the country forward with the coronavirus relief package, and the reopening of many schools, so that our economy will remain strong. And with his cabinet picks and others he has placed in positions of power, shows this is the man for the times.
Just to list a few items that are waiting to be addressed or signed into law by Biden, Infrastructure, Immigration, Filibuster, DC Statehood, Supreme Court expansion, Housing, Minimum wage, Health care, Gun control, Free college, Climate, Police reform, voting rights and more.
Obama was a great president and brought this country back from the brink of a disastrous recession, with an infrastructure bill of his own. Also passing a Health care package, republicans are still trying to take away.
But yet, Obama's last six years in office were not as productive as they could have been. Obstructionist Mitch McConnell was there, blocking his every effort. Mitch McConnell had once stated that he would make sure that Obama was a one-term president. Mitch McConnell also held an open supreme court seat for almost a year. Refusing to even give Merrick Garland, our current Attorney General, a senate hearing.
When I think about what our government sometimes looks like ... "dysfunctional" was the word that came to mind. Because of a TV series, I began to see things differently from the very unlikely source, Netflix's "The Crown".
I've been watching The Crown, and I'm now on season four. It wasn't because of the recent passing of Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth, and the funeral coverage. But because of the Oprah Winfrey interview with Harry and Meghan, a lot of people had an interest in their "Royal Monarchy'' (present company included).
Yes, I know the United Kingdom has the Parliament with the Prime Minister that controls their government. And that their Monarchy has no real power or government control.
But "The Crown" still made me think what a waste of tax money and resources. The Royal Monarchy with no real power, to our own government as dysfunctional. It made me think about our own government, and it's inability to get things done.
As I continued to write this diary, I thought about Ceremonial power vs Presidential power, The Royal Family vs The First family. The Crown made me think how closely our democratic legislative government can mimic not the United Kingdom's parliamentary system, but it's Monarchy with no or limited amount of power. Our government is dysfunctional, for not being able to get our elected officials promises into law.
Yes, a much better comparison would be to compare their Parliamentary system, to our three co-equal branches of government, Presidential, Legislature and Supreme Court, but again I was consumed by The Crown.
Despite all the obstacles of suppressing the vote, including long lines during a pandemic. We successfully defeated the fascist, but only temporarily, so the fight goes on.
Yes, there are many reasons why some are frustrated with the democratic process and party. But here I want to explore what, and where, the bottlenecks to Biden's agenda are and why.
I really thought we were looking at a 48 to 50 senate, or 49 to 51 outcomes after the Georgia special election. Where republicans would continue to hold the majority. I remember being so excited that we won both senate seats back in January, to win the majority with Vice President Kamala Harris as the tie breaking vote.
For a quick second, I thought about the Monarchy with its Queen or King for life. Again, I was reminded of the "The Crown" and how we can overcome those standing in the way of progress. Hopefully, free and fair elections will continue to be our tool for change.
Elections have consequences, and we are continuing to see the effects. So I ask, why do states like South Carolina, Florida, Texas, Georgia, Arizona, Wisconsin, Kentucky continue to elect and reelect the worst possible candidates? Yes, I understand that there is gerrymandering, voter suppression and other shenanigans that are going on behind the scene. But we have lived under the guise of true democratic rule for much too long. Our government is dysfunctional with our slim majority, so again I ask why.
Saying we have the best government on earth, doesn't mean it couldn't be better. One thing that would make it better, in my eyes, would be having our elections decided by popular vote, even for the presidency.
Here I want to take a closer look at why our congress doesn't work as I thought it should, and who might the obstructionist be and why.
After four long years of Trump, what's wrong with the Democratic Party? What's the motivation for so-called democratic senators to hold up democratic principles and Biden's agenda? Do some just want to cling on to power? Is Joe Manchin really a democrat? What is the reason for his opposition? Is he getting campaign funding from the right? Do democrats really have the majority in congress?
I've already noted how Mitch McConnell had been an obstructionist to President Obama for over six years. And now that we have a new administration that's not Republican, McConnell is once again showing his hate and power.
I remember all the court packing ... I remember how so many bills passed in the House of Representatives, like gun background checks, died in the senate and were never brought to a vote. But what I remember most is how McConnell could have brought his republican colleagues together, and had voted fascist Trump out of office, and prevented an insurrection, and did not.
I know Joe Manchin is from a small state that Trump won by over 70 points. But there comes a time and place where you think of the greater good, and you don't put your own personal feelings and biases above the greater good. That time is now. Joe Manchin didn't do that when he said that he would not support Neera Tanden for the open cabinet position of (OMB) Office of Management and Budget director.
Joe Manchin, a conservative democratic senator, opposed her nomination, citing some of her tweets. That left Tanden short of the majority of votes needed for her senate confirmation. A democratic obstruction causing dysfunction in his own party. President Biden had to look for someone else, as if he didn't have the party majority.
It's already been noted how very slim the democrats hold the senate majority. Some have said, it's the limelight, a feeling for importance, or just being power hungry that Manchin craves. Whatever his personal feelings are, it's siding with those who support fascism, and not serving the greater good.
How do you work across the aisle, if you have members of the senate who still support the Big Lie, the Insurrectionists and want to bring guns into the capitol building. Those who continue to want to bring down our nation and government, as if they want a new civil war.
Just like it took me and millions more to put our personal differences aside during the presidential primary season, and the election itself. Like I said earlier, President Biden wasn't my first choice. I can now look back now and see how wrong I was.
But don't get me wrong by only pointing out Mitch McConnell or Joe Manchin. There are others who will never think about the greater good for the country. Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham's names quickly come to mine. They will forever think of themselves only.
Republican Senators like Lisa Murkowski or Susan Collins are a lost cause. They will only cross the aisle when it is safe to do so, (meaning their vote won't matter much) or Mitch McConnell has given his permission.
I'm hopeful for the future, because it is still early in this new Biden administration. But I feel my back is up against the clock because so many state legislators are working overtime, to bring about more suppression and dysfunction.
Both Joe Manchin and Kristen Sinema, are reluctant to filibuster rule change, which Biden and most democrats support. Hopefully other democratic Centrists/Moderates will find it in their hearts to not straddle the fence.
We have to continue to call, write, text and protest if need be, to help get Biden's agenda into law. A functioning government is in our future, only if we all get involved. Free and fair elections can be had, but we must act now.
We're in a tight time crunch to get things done or else. The get things done or else is, losing house and senate seats in the midterms, failing to accomplish Biden's campaign promises, and ultimately the loss of the presidency in 2024.
We have lived under the guise of true democratic rule for much too long. My main hope for the Biden presidency is getting rid of the Electoral College. Never will we have a true functioning democracy, until we have our elections decided by popular vote.
Remember the names Mitch McConnell, Ted Cruz, Lindsey Graham, Joe Manchin and others. Those who continue to stand in the way of progress, and side with fascists. Vote them out.
I will continue to hold out hope for senators like Kyrsten Sinema, Jon Tester or even Republican Mitt Romney.
Yes, the fight continues. We're not only in a fight for the nation, but states rights as well. For many state leaders or legislators have taken it upon themselves to shape the direction they alone want for the country as a whole.
And until we are able to get so much support, for the democratic party and Biden's agenda. Our efforts can easily fail, and we find ourselves once again living under fascist rule.
There is so much I would like to see accomplished during Biden's first term. This might not be the time to address the Electoral College. But somewhere between now and Biden's second term, I hope it's a part of the conversation. Going with the popular vote for our presidential elections would be a dream come true. Where one person, one vote really means something.
It took a great effort to overcome Trump and fascism, and were still fighting for the cause and hope for democracy. Elections have consequences ... and we're still paying the price for Trump.
Heaven forbid, Trump gets back in office, then there might be more similarities to "The Crown" that I don't want to think about.