Capitol riots could lead to America’s rebound if we embrace facts and listen
What happens next?
Will the insurrection at the United States Capitol Wednesday that left five dead and our elected leaders scrambling for their lives mark the beginning of restoring our democracy? Or is this preventable tragedy just another sad chapter in a dishonest campaign to undermine our government and pit Americans against each other?
The answer will be up to each of us. And the stakes could not be higher.
We’re confident the mob supporting President Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn a lawful election overplayed its hand significantly. They’re not patriots rebelling against a foreign king in the 1770s. Those who entered the Capitol were criminals terrorizing a legitimate democratic government and interrupting the constitutional process of certifying legally cast electoral votes.
Violence has no place in our public discord, whether it’s perpetrated by a few protesters who damaged businesses in downtown Akron last summer or those on Capitol Hill last week.
Nor can we tolerate tear-gassing peaceful protesters last summer in Washington, D.C., and failing to secure a federal building against those clearly arriving to cause chaos.
Trump’s role in inflaming the Capitol rioters warrants his resignation or removal from the presidency, although that’s unlikely given the few days remaining in his term.
To many Trump will go down as the worst president in our history, an authoritarian who cared more about his legacy than helping our country fight the COVID-19 pandemic. He’s misused and abused his power at every turn, overshadowing any accomplishments he might claim.
The upcoming inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden gives us hope our democracy can begin healing with a proven leader restoring professional
ism and honor to the White House. Biden won’t use his bully pulpit to divide us, although the poisonous political atmosphere he inherits will challenge him greatly.
We’re also heartened to see many Republicans who have backed Trump for four years finally call him out for his election lies and role in inciting the riot. They’re too late to save his legacy, let alone purge their shameful records of ignoring his behavior. But it’s badly needed progress and a sign Trump’s power over his party sustained serious damage.
Republicans with the courage to ignore Trump and deal in facts will be critical to restoring our democracy and providing a loyal and honorable opposition to a Democratic president and Congress.
It’s one thing to claim certain states over-accommodated pandemic voting in violation of their laws. When judges — even those appointed by Trump — determine that there’s no evidence of voter fraud, it’s time to move forward.
As we wrote in this space a few weeks ago, facts matter. They’re the first building block to restoring public confidence in our government and leaders, not to mention saving the Republican Party from splintering.
Moving forward, Americans must keep an eye on extremists of all persuasions without falling victim to positions (and often lies) designed to scare and divide us. Both the Democratic and Republican parties are more than capable of representing their liberal and conservative agendas without weaponizing their rhetoric.
America can’t succeed if either of our two dominant parties ignores moderate Americans.
We also need to listen to all reasonable perspectives whether we agree or not. The views of Trump supporters are just as important as those protesting police conduct if for no other reason than seeking common ground to start discussions.
It’s time to remember we’re all Americans.