Can Biden Change America?

Dr.C.J.George
22 Jun 2021

In January 2021 world witnessed the intransigence of Trump in leaving office as US president. This was followed by the insurrection of ‘proud boys’ who ransacked the US Congress on 06/01/2021. However democracy prevailed and Joe Biden took charge and moved into the Whitehouse. The contrast of policies and style of Biden and Trump are stark. Both leaders made belligerent comments publicly against each other on a number of factors including wearing mask and the environment. In this blog I am exploring what all ways Biden can change the image of America through legislation in the forthcoming years, from the perspective of a foreigner. In my previous blog , ‘American Dream’ I touched upon the poverty, rough sleeping, corporate exploitation, degradation of public transport and environment compared to other countries and now I take them into the practicality of legislating them into laws.

Let me explore the foothold of Biden in the congress. There are a total of 535 Members in the Congress out of them,100 serve in the Senate and 435 serve in the House of Representatives. In the 117th House of Representatives line-up, there are 219 democrats and 211 republicans, but in Senate there are 50 republicans to 50 democrats., with the vice president’s support, democrats have the upper hand in the senate.

Biden’s majority is historically narrow. He will struggle hard to pass the full agenda he campaigned on, let alone the agenda of his party’s progressive wing. But the difference between a one vote majority and a one vote minority is very significant in getting his way. Therefore Biden is likely to push through many radical bills to uplift the condition of low middle class people in America.

On becoming the president, Biden was in a spree of signing a number of executive orders, several of them were to nullify Trump’s orders. It is a tale of two tax policies, when one compares Trump’s policy of rewarding wealth, whereas Biden’s on rewarding work. Already Biden is pushing through bills to increase the capital gain tax, for which there is a strong opposition by investors. You may recall that Trump tried to dismantle Obama’s ‘Affordable Care Act’, but could not succeed. Biden is likely to revamp it and get rid of the bureaucracy in navigating the process of free healthcare.

Let me examine what all ways Biden could legislate to alleviate the suffering of low middle class people. They are bothered about security, safety, America\'s stand in the world, exploitation by corporate giants, health and so on.

‘Black lives matters’ movement is a product of police extreme brutality against the defenceless. Rules of engagement of police with the suspect is a burning issue and Biden has to intervene in the matter more urgently. Time after time, we watch police using excessive force or even shoot an unarmed person as if they are enjoying the power of authority. Biden should make provisions to retrain the whole police force to learn racial reckoning and compassionate policing. He should also legislate to introduce a thoroughly independent enquiry board to investigate complaints against an individual police person or a police operation. On the death anniversary of the murder of George Floyd, we heard Biden met the immediate family of the victim in the White house, and agreed to push through a ‘Police Reform Bill’.

Since becoming the president Biden addressed a gathering ‘ Gun violence is an epidemic. There were 360 shootings and 106 were killed’. The number of people killed per 1000 per year is far higher than any other country in the world. So is the ownership of guns in America, supported by the 1791 Second Amendment to the united States Constitution. The reason for buying a gun is mainly due to insecurity, and in a tense situation, the owner will not hesitate to shoot and kill others. Democrats hope to expand background checks, especially in the wake of several mass shootings in recent weeks. Unlike other presidents, Biden is very passionate about tightening gun ownership.

blog-1622199898bumping lsyndxuvijhiaew3jjtm.jpg

More than half a million people in America, do not have a roof over their head, which is worse along the West Coast of the US. In my blog, ‘American dream’ I explained the reasons for becoming homeless and the government approach on them. Court order to remove them from side walk tents will not work, as they will move to other parts of the country and put up tents. Expenses for imprisoning them is prohibitive, and not acceptable ethically. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) should offer help to any one requiring a roof over their head, irrespective of their marital status and earning. Biden has to legislate and find the fund to house them at the taxpayers’ expense.

Climate change is a compelling issue, for which Biden has a lot of enthusiasm. The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) warned that unless global greenhouse gas emissions fall by 7.6 per cent each year between 2020 and 2030, the world will miss the opportunity to get on track towards the 1.5°C temperature goal of the Paris Agreement. In 2020, the percentage of fossil fuel used in America is around 70% of all other fuels used. To achieve the level required by UNEP, Biden has to take drastic steps unpalatable to ordinary Americans. He should promote electric cars and legislate to stop manufacturing cars using petrol and diesel. Biden should endeavour to to make Americans aware of the benefits of green energy and the peril of vandalising the environment through high pollutant cars.

Amtrak is the only passenger railroad service that operates throughout the length and breadth of America. The ticket fares of Amtrak are much higher, and the quality of the service is far inferior to similar services in France, China and Japan. It is cheaper to drive or fly from New York to Boston than travel by Amtrak, and fewer and fewer passengers select public transport. But ordinary Americans do not count the impact of driving or flying. The Biden government needs to make the service more attractive by subsidising the running cost, updating the track and amenities in the rolling stock.

It has been reported, more Americans prefer to drive than fly, because of the poor services in the airport, air crafts and the formalities to use them. Biden needs to pay attention to safeguard consumer rights, such as the right not to be bumped, and to provide international standards of amenities in the cabin. Compared to other countries, I found the US airport staff are far less friendly and over bearing in their approach. For average Americans, this might be acceptable, but for foreigners, their conduct is unappealing and offensive. Biden can change these through tougher penalties for in-courteous behaviour.

Biden might be passionate about harnessing corporate greed, which was growing relentlessly in the last century through their lobbying machinery. He can legislate to provide good consumer service, and fair wages. It is reported that 40% American wealth belongs to just 1% of the population, which ought to change. I feel Biden is poised to make far reaching social and economic changes in America in the coming years.

Yes I do agree America needs a robust immigration policy. Also Biden should follow Trump policy of trade sanctions against China. Last time when I pointed out to my daughter who lives in North Carolina about the plight of most of the black American community, she put forward her views the reasons why some of the able bodied in the community do not want to do physical work. Therefore to uplift the non-cooperating black community is beyond his reach. I wish Biden every success in transforming America into a righteous country in the world

Dr.C.J.George

This blog is about my experience as a doctor working in various countries in different clinical set up. This experience spans through 45 years, in which I acquired a lot of favourable contacts and unfavourable encounters. I shall dig deep into them and make it interesting to the readers. Unlike others in the profession, I worked as a community medical officer in a remote areas, prison medical officer, benefit service medical officer, in cardiac surgery in prestigious institutions and as a private doctor. I was managing my own businesses, and real estate in three continents. I hope the information I impart will be valuable to the like minded readers.