Band-aid solutions won’t cut it

Nov. 11, 2020

Unpublished letter to the Boston Globe

Many commentators on the 2020 presidential election are urging president-elect Biden and Democrats in Congress to pursue bipartisan initiatives. Given the closely split vote, that sounds reasonable. There’s just one catch. Much of Trump’s support is coming from working class Americans who feel a profound sense of desperation — a feeling only exacerbated by the skewed impact of the pandemic and deepening economic inequality.

Trump’s huge vote is their cry for help. “Bi-partisan” band-aid solutions to crises we’re facing won’t cut it. And neither will blaming inaction, half-measures, and failures on a divided Congress. If Democrats don’t fight for, and win, meaningful economic improvement for working families in this country, you can count on someone even worse than Trump winning in 2024.

Sincerely,
Rand Wilson
Somerville, MA 02144