Let's Heal America

Joe,

Last week I suggested that the time must shortly come when you emerge as the nation’s hope for overcoming the disaster perpetuated by Donald Trump. What is the vision you might offer a nation torn and battered not only be a virus but also by a President committed to tearing us apart?

Here is a suggested campaign theme.

LET’S HEAL AMERICA




It begins not with a “me,” but with an “us.” We have had more than enough of the egoist who has insisted that only he can make America great again. Healing America must be a national effort that may begin with leadership, but will certainly involve all of us. Here is a list of broken places calling for healing.

HEALTH INSURANCE FOR EVERY AMERICAN
It is long past the time for America to produce what every other industrialized nation now takes for granted. Bernie insisted that “Medicare for all” was the answer, but he never produced a plan to pay for it, nor did it allow for hard-won private plans. Clearly a single-payer option that is substantially built on Obamacare, is what most Americans seem ready to endorse.
A MORE EQUITABLE SHARING OF THE NATION’S WEALTH
This would not necessarily mean an increase in taxes, but a just sharing of what we all must contribute. Major tax reductions to the already rich have further distorted the nation’s commitment to produce a modest level of economic parity.

OVERCOMING OUR RACIAL DIVIDE
It will take all of us to heal the systemic racial divide recently most evident in the murder of George Floyd.

A MORATORIUM ON EFFORTS TO FOSTER DIVISION
Every speech Trump makes is fixated on his enemies’ list beginning not just with his political opponents but also aimed at America’s press as well as anyone who dares raise a challenge. This now includes America’s military leaders and even former members of Trump’s Administration.


RECLAIMING OUR ROLE AS LEADERS IN HEALING THE NATURAL WORLD
Essential to America’s healing is our rejoining the Paris Accords and revisiting regulations and legislation taking seriously the sanctity of the natural world, including the generation of renewable energy resources. Climate change is not a hoax.

RECONNECTION WITH OUR INTERNATIONAL ALLIES
This involves renewed support of The United Nation’s, NATO, the World Court, the World Health Organization and The World Bank. This would also include examining our immigration policies while building bridges of understanding i instead of walls and fences.

RECOVERING FROM THE PANDEMIC
We are told that the only path to dealing with the pandemic must involve the cooperation of every American. Mask wearing, social distancing, carefully keeping closed our beaches, resorts and other gathering places are all vital. The elimination of massive rallies and other large assemblies, including churches, all are critical to America’s healing. Political pressure caused the early opening of the nation’s economic powerhouse. Now we are paying the price.

ECONOMIC RECOVERY
A healthy economy depends on the defeat of the virus, and the defeat of the virus depends on following the guidelines outlined above. We will not heal our battered economy and THEN defeat the pandemic. In the meantime supporting individuals and small businesses must be a national priority.

RENEWING OUR BRIDGES, HIGHWAYS AND EVEN OUR SEWERS
America’s infrastructure has grown increasingly fragile and dangerous. It is long past the time for a necessary safe refurbishing of our common facilities.

Trump has engaged in a campaign centered on “divide and BE conquered.” Every effort to divide America has resulted in his continued loss of credibility as evidenced in his diminished support. Joe, your role as a healer will earn you and the Democratic Party increasing support. But the task is ours as well as yours. Your role in healing America depends not only on your election but also on our effort to elect a Senate committed to your agenda.