Democracy Is Not Dead

As we waited to see how the transition of power from Donald Trump to Joe Biden would play out, Linday Graham, that beacon of convenience, declared that Republicans had to change the rules or no Republican would ever again be elected President. The whole waiting game was a scary, scary moment. Many of us feared that the peaceful transition of power simply would not happen. It seemed that the honor system had been blown to bits. Trump seemed to be searching for ways to justify overturning the election results, tossing them aside altogether. We speculated on all the ways that could happen and wondered if we were strong enough and clever enough to stop him. And yet, and yet. The election itself was a refreshing boost of democratic confirmation. So I wrote the following poem on November 17, 2020, two weeks after the election. It was inspired in no small part by Ingrid Jonker's brilliant poem, “The Child Is Not Dead,” and, as always, by the incredible words of Wilfred Owen, one of my soldioer-poets of World War One, “All the poet can do is warn.” 

  Democracy is not Dead 

Democracy is not dead. 

She rides upon the millions 

Of restless, marching feet, 

Demanding to be heard,

Mis-quoting Twain, “Reports 

 Of my demise are just a bit 

Premature—be vigilant!”

Democracy is not dead. 

She shouts alongside the millions: 

I have spoken, let me speak! 

Her epitaph, though written, 

Lies inside the editor's desk 

Unpublished. 

Her voice, though trembling, 

Has found renewed strength but is 

Caught in her hesitation, 

Looking for words, needing but a few. 

Democracy is not dead. 

Her body shows the bruises 

Of every time she stumbled 

But the multitude each time 

Has picked her up and set her back

Upon the terrible long path to Golgotha 

While Liberty awaits her 

To share her fate. 

Democracy is not dead 

Though there are so, so many 

Who would make her so.

Five Points Post Election

One. At the pro-Trump rally in Washington yesterday violence broke out and twenty people wound up arrested. I don't care which side you are on, if you think violence furthers your cause, stay out of mine. Two: Let the courts decide. This is a nation of laws. Accept it! The Department of Homeland Security declared that 2020 was the most secure election in US history. Accept it! Eighty percent of America has. In a nation governed by majority rule, that's a pretty good number. Three:The election shows that America remains divided. Donald Trump lost but still garnered more votes than anyone else in history except Joe Biden. At the same time, the Democrats lost seats in the House and could not get their sweep into the Senate. State legislatures by and large stayed as they were. Four: What does it mean? Most Americans hope that a change at the top will lead to better, more coordinated management of the Covid-19 Crisis, but no one seems to want to endorse sweeping change anywhere else. Five: We do not want another lock down. But to avoid it, we just need to be courteous to one another and respect each other's safety. It has been shown that masks help both the wearer and everyone else. Wear them. They're just another item of clothing. Socially distance. Wash your hands. Be polite. Be mindful of those around you. Watch out for the other guy! Or gal. It's not hard, and if it helps keep our ecnomy going, it's patriotic.

Biden Wins, What Now?

The National Nightmare is not over. America remains divided and confused. Half the population is uttering a sigh of relief, the other half a groan of bewilderment. Many Americans are angry and restless and uncertain how to proceed. But the invitation to re-unite as a nation is out. Joe Biden is President-elect of the United States. Still, Donald Trump is acting President for 74 more days. He will challenge the vote. States with close results will automatically recount the ballots cast there before being certified. Mr. Biden is President-elect of a country in crisis, and there are no magic bullets to take us out of the varied crises that confront us. It will take working together for the common good. The invitation is out. What strikes me is that more people came out to vote than ever before, despite all the challenges to the process imposed by Covid-19 and utterly false suggestions about vote integrity, America's citizens stood in ridiculously long lines not just on election day but every day wherever early voting was permitted. 100 million voted by mail or brought their ballots in to voting centers. The voter refused to be disenfranchised by either disease or disruption. President Trump received more votes than any candidate in history except Joe Biden, while President-elect Biden won the highest percentage of the popular vote of any candidate facing an incumbent president. Democracy seems to have won a major victory here. Unity and Civility stand by her side. And Hope has booked the next flight home.

I Have Voted, Have You?

Today, we decide. Today, the last ballots will be cast and the counting begins, today the robocalls and the political ads stop. It may take days, even weeks before the outcome is clear. But today the decision will be final. 100 million voters gave already turned in their ballots. All arguments aside, this robust participation bodes well for democracy in America. I have voted. I got the sticker. If you haven't yet, please do. It is one way your voice can be heard. It is the way you can say e pluribus unum, “Of the many I am one.” Millions would love to have that privilige.