The myriad differences between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump couldn’t be more striking: Biden’s fit; Trump’s fat. Biden speaks with candor. Trump’s truthfulness continues to be an issue. Biden focuses on building a better future. Trump remains obsessed with the past.
In just 19 months as president, Biden has scored huge wins which should not be overlooked. Yet he often seems to play second fiddle in too many people’s minds. But that may be changing, as CNN noted in recent days: “Suddenly, images of Biden as a feeble septuagenarian atop a mismanaged White House have given way to those of an experienced leader, smiling behind aviator sunglasses, whose battle-tested team has delivered on a range of national priorities. A winning streak does that for you.”
Now that the current president has spent a relatively relaxing week in the Lowcountry, let’s reflect on what he’s accomplished — much of it in the last few weeks.
Jobs. During the Biden administration, more Americans are at work than ever before thanks to a return of about 8 million jobs in recent months. Much of this is due to a nation emerging from a pandemic, which Biden helped to boost with the $1.9 trillion American Recovery Act. The unemployment rate is at a record low of 3.5%.
Infrastructure. Passage of a 2021 bill to invest $550 billion in roads, bridges, airports, rural broadband, clean water and more will result this year in 65,000 miles of roadwork and repairs to 1,500 bridges across the country. This investment in America is creating tens of thousands of jobs.
Innovation. Biden last week signed a $53 billion bill to invest in manufacturing of semiconductor computer chips in America — another smart strategy to build the country’s financial and manufacturing backbone.
Veterans’ health care. Biden also signed the largest recent expansion of health care for the nation’s veterans, keeping a personal commitment he’s had for years. The measure includes help for thousands of South Carolina victims of toxic water contamination when they and their families were stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
Climate, health investments. Biden also signed the Inflation Reduction Act, a scaled-down version of his Build Back Better agenda, that makes huge investments in battling climate change as well as expands health care for Americans who need it. The law reaps $265 billion in prescription drug savings for seniors by allowing Medicare to negotiate on prices with drug companies.
Biden’s record of pushing America forward is clear. Let’s not let it be overshadowed by the political shenanigans. Unfortunately, too many people aren’t confronting the reality of his accomplishments for two reasons: Party tribalism and communications laziness. Too many Republicans, particularly vitriolic members of Congress, won’t look at the big picture. And Democrats seem to be doing a particularly lousy job in communicating Biden’s accomplishments. Rather, the media just want to talk about the horse race or whatever nonsense Trump is doing, neither of which help spread the news about what’s really going on.
Thanks for the visit, Mr. President. Now, get back to doing more for the country.
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