Can The New Administration Be For The American People?
By James B. Ewers Jr. Ed.D.
That’s a good question. Well, here we are. There is a new administration in Washington DC. If you are looking at the political landscape, the Republicans control all branches of government.
Since the election in November, the results all suggested that the GOP would take control. Democrats are a fractious group right now. Will that change? Let’s hope there will be better and brighter days ahead.
That’s the belief the Democrats must have as they try to convince voters they are still strong and viable. Who in the party will stand out and speak up? Who will be the emerging leaders with new ways of connecting with people.
I would opine many Americans have become voter weary because this past election was so significant in American history.
You had an African American woman in Kamala Harris running for the highest office in the land. The buzz and the beat behind her made a lot of us think she was going to be the next president of the United States of America.
What will she do next in her career? Some think that she will have an endowed chair at Howard University. Others believe she will play a more prominent role in the future of the Democratic Party.
January 20th was Dr. Martin Luther Jr. Day and the inauguration of the new president, Donald Trump. I suspect the social justice, and political irony weren’t lost on most Americans. Dr. King fought for justice and fairness for all Americans.
His achievements and contributions changed the moral fabric of this country. He was fearless and unafraid of a system that penalized people because of their race or economic status.
Dr. King said, “Our nettlesome task is to discover how to organize our strength into compelling power so that government cannot elude our demands. We must develop from strength a situation in which government finds it wise and prudent to collaborate with us.”
Mr. Trump had his day of festivities. Now, what kind of leader will he be? There are so many questions attached to his presidency.
Will he be for the people or for a selected few of them? Some states and their leaders are ecstatic that he is the president. Governor Jeff Landry of Louisiana is a longtime supporter of the new president. In addition to the US flag flying, he had a MAGA flag flying with it.
The president’s cabinet nominees are being interviewed by the Senate committee. We will soon see how many of them pass the muster. Most are people of great financial wealth and means.
Can they pass legislation that will benefit us? Will sanity and reason prevail, or will there be constant episodes of Tom Foolery?
Will time-honored traditions still be in place or will our nation be harmed by unsustainable policies and practices? Will democracy still be our rule of law?
There are no crystal balls that allow us to forecast the future. We can only look at the track records of those now in power. It is safe to say that our America is at a critical juncture in its storied history.
For many Americans, January 20th was a day to reflect upon the progress of America. We pledged to continue to uphold right and to do as much good in our communities as we can.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “There is an invisible book of life that faithfully records our vigilance or our neglect.” We the American people embrace right and disavow wrong. We must continue to be steadfast and unmovable in our quest for civility and equality.
Each day must be a day when we give hope to others by our actions and by our words. Sometimes in life there are detours that impede our progress. Stay strong. New construction is on the way.
