Political Op-Ed: Inauguration offers new president, but same old Washington

On January 20, 2021, Joseph R. Biden was inaugurated as the 46th president. After only three days in office, he has already signed 30 executive orders, attempting to wash away the legacy of former President Donald J. Trump. This poses a grave dilemma for many who argue that the presidency has digressed to the point to where its successors have become imperial kings, whose signing of an executive order goes without any check of power, a direct contradiction to the system constituted by our founders. In this outlandish contemporary era, the simple stroke of a pen can enact a new law. Biden has shown no restraint in his unleashing of executive action; the administration has even taken to celebrating these constitutionally questionable orders with the release of cutesy themed days: “Climate Change Day,” “Healthcare Day”. Yet this dilemma is just a microcosm of the role of the typical modern-day president, a figure who seems to embody the trappings of office, which includes pushing lofty calls for peace and unification, without any real Constitutionally-vested ability to enact substance…It's like we have an emperor that wears no clothes. 

Then again, I digress back to the checks and balances within the Constitution, and it’s not like our current Congress is any better. They have been wasting their time preparing an impeachment case against Donald Trump, instead of moving forward and beginning a new chapter full of the legislation that they promised their constituents. (As I see it, leaving Trump to fade out of the news cycle will serve their goal more than a trial receiving round-the-clock coverage at the risk of reinvigorating his die-hard fans). Democrats have a big promise in their current position: their sweeping win of the House, Senate, and White House were sealed by a promise to voters that their rule would be heaven compared to Trump’s hell - the day to their night. We will have to see if they follow through on enabling this true, tangible change they promised. The only problem is that our media, the institution responsible for asking the hard-hitting questions and keeping our politicians honest, will most likely not care enough to hold them accountable and will instead settle for some fan-girling at Kamala’s fresh hairdo whilst turning a blind eye to spiking COVID-19 deaths or a creeping national deficit.

But I actually look forward to the next four years, in hope of a new direction that may also be beneficial to the country, as it is always nice to have some change. America is a swinging pendulum; it goes left to right. No matter who is in office, I think we all will be fine. This idea that our president directly inflicts a grave threat to our daily lives is a bit melodramatic. We have survived worse, and we will always come back stronger. That is American resilience; I just hope the hubris of our duly-elected leaders doesn’t get the best of them. 

While the media may take these four years off in holding our elected officials honest, it is our duty to demand transparency, demanding that, regardless of party, all politicians serve us and will not get away with fooling or distracting the citizenry with lies and empty promises. Bush the younger said it best, “fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again.” Stay woke, America.

By Zade Alzoubi

Oshkosh West Index Volume 117 Issue IV

February 1st, 2021