Jekyll Or Hyde?
Posted on: March 20 2021 / Written by: Brett Lunger
Will President Biden turn out to be a “Doctor Jekyll” or a “Mister Hyde?” Will he unify the country or lead us back to the toxic political combat that has characterized our recent past?
We cannot be sure this early in his presidency. But we will learn soon. The answer will be clear when the president’s tax proposals are put forth.
Those proposals we will tell us whether President Biden intends to give ear to Republican concerns or simply force his party’s agenda into law.
He certainly does not have to listen to those who would oppose massive tax increases, those who worry that aggressive tax policies might dampen any economic recovery. His party’s control of the Senate allows him to pass legislation by a procedure known as “reconciliation.”
Jekyll or Hyde? There is reason to be hopeful. Joe Biden often spoke of unity during run for the White House. In a May rally, held in Philadelphia, he said, ”This nation needs to come together. It has to come together.” Further, he pledged to, “unite this nation, one America, one America…..I know how to make government work, not because I’ve talked about it or tweeted about it, but because I’ve done it. I’ve worked across the aisle to reach consensus, to help government work.”
President Biden’s inaugural address was even more forceful in. Citing the problems facing the nation, he said, “To overcome these challenges --- to restore the soul and to secure the future of America --- requires more than words. It requires that most elusive of things in a democracy, Unity, Unity.”
He went on to proclaim that, “On this January day, my whole soul is in this: bringing America together, uniting our people, and uniting our nation. I ask every American to join me in this cause.”
And there was more. Ending his address, President Biden asserted that, “History, faith and reason show the way, the way of unity……For without unity there is no peace, only bitterness and fury…..For This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge, and unity will is the path forward…..Let us show respect for one another. Politics need not be a raging fire destroying everything in its path. Every disagreement doesn’t have to be a cause for total war. We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus urban, conservative versus liberal.”
Yes, there is reason for hope. President Biden has an opportunity to unite the country and to bring politics back to a more civil state. We will know soon enough. Will he seize that opportunity or will he allow himself to be dragged back to the divisive political combat that has plagued the nation for too many years?
Doctor Jekyll or Mister Hyde? We will know soon.