Transpartisan Note #129
shared by A. Lawrence Chickering and James S. Turner
The Transpartisan Review has received some significant responses following its articles about TTR advisor Bill Shireman’s In This Together Initiative. As a nation, the United States appears to be moving forward to address a wide range of local, national, and global problems, many of which stretch back for decades and even centuries. As the nation asserts itself – and its confining structures shatter – hundreds of thousands of free-market democracy advocates add their voice to the call for a more perfect union. We plan to publish communications that come to us offering next steps from a transpartisan perspective. This is our first.
Joe Biden’s Historic Chance
by Julian and Angela Gresser
If poll numbers are any indication of probability, it is likely that Joe Biden will become the next President. If so, his challenges are daunting. The country is severely and tragically divided by partisan rivalry, disparities of wealth and privilege (insider trading, even within the Congress), racial turmoil, and a cruel, inequitable delivery of justice. We have not seen such national outrage, shame, and grief in a long while.
Despite these challenges Mr. Biden has an unprecedented opportunity to reset the course of this country and lead us to safer shores. What if he has the courage to make a bold and novel decision beginning with the selection of his running mate? Instead of a familiar name, a politically correct candidate, or someone the Democrat Party leaders urge him to appoint, what if he were to choose the most qualified partner on the ticket, Democrat or Republican—for example, Tammy Duckworth, Susan Rice, and yes, even Nikki Haley? Beyond that, what if members of his Cabinet were also selected, and indeed all other significant appointments were made without the required political affiliation, connections, privilege, bias, or influence? Instead, what if his new administration gives highest priority to character, experience, capability, sound judgement, imagination, and wisdom? Perhaps most critical should be a proven ability to work together as a team in the service of all the people to heal the wounds of this nation and salvage its future. What a historic legacy.
Actually, this 21st vision of government precisely embodies the original spirit of the Founding Fathers. Most important, it responds to the yearning of the great majority of our fellow citizens for a restorative and wholesome change. As a strategy, this trans-partisan proposal should appeal to Republicans and Democrats alike, to elderly and younger voters, as well as independents.
We implore you, Mr. Biden, be courageous and ask yourself, “Why not?”
© Copyright, July 2020. Julian and Angela Gresser, All Rights Reserved.
About the Authors
Julian Gresser is Of Counsel to Swankin & Turner, Washington DC. He is the author of eight books in English and Japanese, has been twice Visiting Mitsubishi Professor at the Harvard Law School, and an advisor to the U.S. State Department (serving as an senior advisor to Richard Holbrooke on Japanese affairs), World Bank, European Commission, Republic of Korea, and the People’s Republic of China on environmental and industrial policies.
Angela Gresser is a retired designer, instructor of sustainable design and architecture, and writer.
(Photo by Gage Skidmore.)
