Author Hyman begins her book by citing these words expressed by President Ronald Reagan in 1980, “Are you better off now then you were four years ago”. She explains this question has since been used by politicians to attack their opponents for their policies. However, she suggests a different way to explore Reagan’s question; Instead of asking “who can I blame for my problems”, ask “what is being done to make things better.”
There is no doubt that America is worse off than it was before Donald Trump took office. There is also no doubt that Trump’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, his cruelty at our borders towards immigrants and asylum seekers, and the exploded deficit from the tax cuts he gave to the rich have created extreme challenges for President Biden. Additionally, the ” big lie” about the election being stolen promoted by Republican members of Congress, plus the tolerance shown by social media platforms towards misinformation are making it difficult for Biden’s agenda to be implemented.
BUT PRESIDENT BIDEN IS KEEPING HIS PROMISES. HE IS NOT GETTING INTO PETTY ARGUMENTS WITH DIVISIVE PARTISANS. HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN THE FIRST 100 DAYS OF HIS ADMINISTRATION ARE PROVIDING HOPE THAT AMERICA CAN RECOVER FROM A FOUR YEAR DEVIATION FROM EXPERIENCED, MORAL GOVERNANCE.
President Biden’s pursuit of a better life for all Americans reflects his maturity, empathy, knowledge of the Constitution, and true faith in the American people. These are policy areas that illustrate the progress being made during the first 100 days;
Public health and the pandemic have been a priority for President Biden before and after his election. His plan to defeat COVID has been based on science, not politics. His 100-day plan supports a strong federally backed effort to get money to the states to save lives, not put lives at risk as the former administration did by downplaying the virus to manipulate the stock market. His CARE ACT created funding for successful vaccine distribution, educating the public about its safety, funds for testing and PPO, and financial assistance through stimulus checks and unemployment benefits. Competence, morality, and progress are reflected throughout Biden’s first 100 days of fighting the pandemic. The American economy has reopened with renewed hope, proportionate caution based on facts and science, and restored trust earned by a transparent administration. Approximately 67% of Americans have had at least one vaccine shot, and 56% are fully vaccinated. Biden is fighting against the MAGA anti-vaxxers and Facebook by discrediting the misinformation and conspiracy theories they promote that discourage people from getting vaccinated.
President Biden is also working to defend and strengthen the Affordable Care Act, which provides health insurance for millions of Americans, including Trump supporters from financially challenged states.
Uniting the country was and still is a priority of the Biden presidency. He is painstakingly seeking bipartisan support for his proposed bills on protecting voting rights, racial equality, climate change, gun violence and infrastructure. To the frustration of the more liberal wing of the Democratic party, President Biden believes creating unity through bipartisanship in Congress is the way to unite the divided American population. Although he has signaled that Democrats will go it alone on legislation for the good of the country, he is modeling to the country how a unifing leader tries to work across the aisle. Trump was the model of a divisive leader who accomplished less for the average American in four years than Biden has in his first 100 days.
Rebuilding infrastructure to recover from the devastated Trump economy
On March 31st, President Biden announced his 2 trillion dollar plan to restore America’s crumbling infrastructure aimed at helping to create jobs and revive the economy. The program addresses deficiencies in transportation, drinking water, healthcare, housing, energy, roads, bridges, and the energy grid. Biden made passing a bipartisan infrastructure bill a top priority. The Build Back Better infrastructure bill promises to create more good-paying jobs by improving conditions that support the expansion of businesses throughout the country. In the first 100 days of his presidency, Biden explained how his plan would pay for the bill by rolling back the Trump tax cuts for the rich, which never did create more jobs as promised. He also has proposed an increase in taxes on individual incomes of over $400,000. Reflected in his approach to infrastructure is his compassion for hard-working Americans of both parties who want to get ahead in life with good jobs, good healthcare, and the opportunity to pursue their dreams.
Build Back Better has accomplished much in its first 100 days. Comprehensive, transparent plans and goals have been developed in all major areas relevant to the everyday life of Americans. President Biden has demonstrated a clear, consistent, positive vision for America. In author Kelly Hyman’s summary of his first 100 days in office, she tells us to keep asking the questions regarding the policy, “did it help,” ” who did it help,” and ” who may it help down the road.” Thank goodness in Joe Biden, we have a president who cares about others, not only himself.
