To the victors belong the spoils

Weโve grown tired of hearing about the 74 million Americans who didnโt vote for Biden. Despite winning the popular vote in 2016, Hillary Clinton did not become president. The antiquated Electoral College system installed her opponent, who never had the support of a majority of the electorate. For four years we heard โget over it,โ and there was nary a bit of concern for the 65 million of us who voted for Clinton. Now that we have President Biden who won the popular vote decisively and incontrovertibly, we donโt need to entertain the question โwhat about the 74 million who did not vote for Biden?โ
Elections have winners and losers. Thereโs no participation trophy or consolation prize. When a magazine correspondent asked White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki about those 74 million voters this week, it was good to hear her reply include a reminder that 81 million people voted for President Biden and Vice President Harris. Unlike his predecessor, President Biden doesnโt seek to exclude those who didnโt cast their ballots for him, so those on the right donโt have nearly as much to worry about as we did under the vengeful previous president.
In other countries, itโs understood that the winning party gets to govern like winners. If the electorate dislikes the results, it can voice disapproval at the ballot box. When Republicans win in this country, theyโre not concerned with working with or considering the needs of everyday citizens. Now that Democrats are the winners, we need to act like it. The good thing for Republicans is they donโt have to worry about exclusion or being disregarded, as Democratsโ agendas are inclusive and seek to do the most good for the most people, not just white evangelicals or the wealthy. We are the victors, and weโve earned the right to act accordingly.