What we need from Joe Biden: an analysis of the incoming president's plan for America
- Blogbby
- Jan 11, 2021
- 3 min read
As inauguration day and the end of the Trump presidency draw nearer, many people are ready for the shift to a more stable and effective administration. While this excitement and anticipation is absolutely warranted, it is also important to have an understanding of what the Biden administration has planned thus far and how you, as an individual, feel about it. Especially given the riots at the capitol last week, it is clear now more than ever how much this new administration will have to undertake, and how much is at risk for America if we do not make a change.
Having a democrat in the oval office is great, but ultimately we are not going to make any progress as a society if we allow this to be the Obama administration part 2, if we allow those who participated in the attempted coup last week to get away with it, if we continue with business as usual. Biden is a massive improvement from Trump, but that doesn’t mean we should agree with everything he says and does - America deserves change and action.
Having said all this, let’s look at some of Biden’s cabinet choices thus far. First, we have Representative Deb Haaland for Secretary of the Interior. She is one of the most progressive picks out of everyone we know thus far, and is backed by the youth environmental advocacy group known as Sunrise Movement. Haaland will be the first Native American in this position, or in the cabinet at all.
Next is former governor of Michigan, Jennifer Granholm, for Secretary of Energy. She had a stellar record as Governor of Michigan and in other governmental and political positions with regard to energy policy, and so is a good fit for the position. However, as we will see with her and some other Biden cabinet nominees, she was a part of the Obama administration through his transition team, and so is someone to watch for in terms of a return to the previous "normal".
Another Biden cabinet pick is Mayor Pete Buttigieg as Secretary of Transportation. Out of everyone thus far, he is certainly the least qualified - what experience does being the mayor of a small city give you that will truly prepare you to be in charge of transportation for the whole country? This is another pick where we should watch the policy that results with careful eyes, and the appointment ultimately seems like a reward for falling in line behind Biden in the primaries rather than somethin Buttigieg is the best person for.
A pick to be equally cautious of is former Governor and cabinet secretary Tom Vilisack for the Department of Agriculture. Under the Obama administration, Vilisack held the same position, and while he was not under heavy criticism at the time, there are concerns now about his ability to address current issues in agriculture regarding race, climate, and more. While he has potential, he is again an example of someone who could be looking to find peace rather than progress.
To summarize, looking at these picks and others for the Biden administration, it is incredibly clear that we cannot be complacent. While this administration has the potential to do a lot of good, more progressive action needs to be pushed. The Obama administration was, in its era, really great. But repeating 2008-2016 is not how we progress, and after the DNC’s choice to suggest candidates fall in line behind Biden as the nominee, it is clearer than ever that progress won’t occur without us asking for it.
Another key aspect of any presidency is what said president does with their first 100 days in office. Among other things, Biden's plans for his first 100 days include COVID-19 action, a return to climate change policy on the global scale, and reversal of Trump-era policy vis a vis taxation, immigration, voting rights, policing, international relations, and health insurance. These plans have a lot of potential, and could really help a lot of Americans. But to avoid repeating history, an era of complacency, and further tragedy, Biden has to truly fulfill his promises. Additionally, with the attempted coup that occurred last week, Biden needs to ensure that those involved face true consequences, something which he has not given much of a guarantee to yet. Plans are one thing, but action is another.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m incredibly glad Biden was elected, and I believe that with him in the oval office, we have a chance to get back on track and make progress on issues like healthcare, immigration, human rights, climate change, and so many others that matter deeply. However, for this potential to be fully realized, we cannot have business as usual. We must fight for accountability, for real change, and for our future.
Sources consulted in the writing of this post include
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