Post-Trumpocalypse healing

Four years of norm-shattering, irresponsible, shameless, self-serving dishonest behavior may finally be coming to an end; the Trumpocalypse may appear outwardly to be running its course.  But such complacency would be misplaced. The societal forces that brought Trumpism to life are not only still there, they are stronger than before (in part thanks to Trump's fanning the flames). Indications that they were long standing problems include Occupy Wall Street, the Tea Party, the rise of militias, mainly in the rural red states (and today the attempted kidnapping of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmore) and of course Trump's election four years ago.

Those who thought our problems were solved with Barack Obama's election in 2008 missed that the feelings of division, resentment and betrayal felt by many white voters were both building but also disappearing from sight. And at the same time under-represented minorities were seeing victories as empowering, heightening those divisions. Even if Biden wins next month, the country is in far worse shape socially and politically than it was when George W. Bush left office. 

So what does healing look like? How might Biden and Harris begin the Herculean task of bringing the country back together?  Although way above my pay-grade, here are some general thoughts.  

First, step out of the Washington bubble. Stop listening to the lobbyists, establishment experts and interest groups; they will only generate more of the same that got us here. Change is needed and it may have to quite radical; but not necessarily the way either party has thought about radical solutions. Huge tax cuts and deregulation from the right or massive government spending and intervention as in the Green New Deal aren't on their own an answer. There may be elements in each that could be used but both packages are too toxic to be useful in our current predicament. Labels matter and both sides are tainted with the policy failures that contributed to this juncture.  

Candidates generally spend their time leading up to an election touring their districts / states / the country talking to voters and listening to their concerns. But that's generally the last time voters see them until the next election rolls around. That contributes to a disconnect between promises made and real policy changes that matter in voters' lives. So perhaps once elected, politicians might consider continuing to spend some time mixing with voters and explaining what they are doing and continuing to listen. 

That's going to be particularly important post-Trump. We need a national dialog about what ails us; and going back to business as usual will only prolong the social fracturing that will, as with empires of old, ultimately bring the country low.