Last night, US President Joe Biden delivered a farewell speech from the Oval Office. Among other things, it warns against the increasingly powerful tech oligarchy that threatens our democracy. You can read the address here.
The penultimate paragraph is:
My eternal thanks to you, the American people. After 50 years of public service, I give you my word, I still believe in the idea for which this nation stands — a nation where the strength of our institutions and the character of our people matter and must endure. Now it’s your turn to stand guard. May you all be the keeper of the flame. May you keep the faith. I love America. You love it, too.
Yes.
I, along with millions and millions of others, will heed the call. Each of us doing the work that is ours to do will keep our democracy intact.
Some will have a bigger, public role and others will be working in a much smaller sphere of influence, but all of us can participate.
It’s what democracy means.
*****
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Joanne Corey 
I did appreciate that paragraph, and I appreciate all his service. But I’m still frustrated by inactions early in the administration that could have put up additional guardrails to where we are headed.
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I also wish Biden could have accomplished more but a lot of his actions were blocked or overturned by court actions, often with a district judge enjoining orders for the whole country. A lot more would have happened legislatively if the Senate hadn’t been hamstrung by Manchin and SInema and the filibuster. Voting rights legislation feel victim to this, along with a number of other initiatives.
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A lot of that comes down to Chuck Schumer constantly appeasing Manchin and Sinema, instead of getting them in line. I wish Elizabeth Warren had been Majority Leader. I understand why she wasn’t, but still wish it. The cycle of Democrats throwing up their hands with “We couldn’t get the votes” and then trying to fundraise off it and then still not getting enough done is big part of this, too.
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I wanted Elizabeth Warren to be president! I doubt, though, that any majority leader could have overcome Manchin being a fossil fuel bro. I have family in West Virginia and realize it is different terrain, but still…
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I dearly hope you’re able to keep your democracy intact. Thanks for joining in, Joanne. 🙂
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Many of us are working on it and appreciate all the support from our Canadian friends and other allies. I’m afraid it’s going to be challenging, though
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Nice, and timely too. We’re in for a challenging next several years.
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Yes, I’m sure you’re correct. I think the midterms could move things in a more positive direction but it will be a hard slog.
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I hope so. I hope we HAVE midterms.
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It seems even Republicans won’t be able to resist running campaigns to brag about themselves…
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