Some people seem to think “back to normal” means that we will revert to where we were. That is impossible. Too much has been lost, and I’m not even talking about the 238,000 who died of COVID-19.

What returning to normal means is the ship has been turned in the right direction.
“Back to normal” has little to do with policy, which will in all likelihood be hindered by an obstructionist Republican Senate led by Mitch McConnell.

It instead has to do with tone, decency and values, which transcend politics in ways that aren’t always exactly clear.
Joe Biden cannot fix all of our problems just by becoming President. Our disagreements are too entrenched, our opinions too hardened by algorithms that are designed not to challenge those beliefs, but to reinforce them, no matter how detached from reality they may be.
That’s not something one man can solve.

But the difference between Biden and Trump is simple and clear:

Biden will not knowingly make things worse. He faces enormous challenges, and it’s not clear he will meet all the challenges before him. But he won’t make it worse.
Is that enough? We will find out the answer to that question together.

But at least now we have a fighting chance. We have a President-Elect who will put country over ego. Who will put science above popularity. Who will listen instead of demanding to be heard.

That’s something.
Too many people want to already jump ahead to the next battle. I get it. Your blood is pumping, you’re feeling good.

I understand that desire.

But we don’t know where the next fighting is coming from, and it may be more existential than political. Something to consider.
All this to say:

America just avoided a decent into personality driven nationalism. That is a major victory and something far too many counties cannot say.

But like a town after a hurricane we need to rebuild, and that may take help and it may take time.
And, like a town recovering from a hurricane, we cannot always known when and from what direction the next storm will come.

What’s important is we chose the person best suited to face these storms to lead us.
America values were reclaimed from egotistical worshipful nationalism today.

Let’s not forget that either.
You can follow @WillMcAvoyACN.
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