Dec. 7 is a special day for all Americans but especially for us here in Delaware, for it reminds us how this country, with our little state taking the lead in 1787, was able to establish a political system that enabled us to become the most successful and prosperous nation in the world in the 20th century and thus lead a titanic struggle against the forces of fascism in World War II and to later triumph over communism during the Cold War.
Dec. 7 should also remind us of the importance of leadership in making those victories possible, for no republic can succeed unless the people are wise enough to choose people of real character to lead them. When the United States was “suddenly and deliberately attacked” by forces of the Japanese empire on Dec. 7, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt rallied the American people to unite together as one to meet the challenges of fighting the most bloody, expensive and total war in the history of the world and to demonstrate that a government of, by and for the people was superior to any totalitarian dictatorship. The country truly was the “United” States for the next four years when it came to fighting and supporting the war effort, and that enabled us to defeat two awesome military juggernauts on opposite sides of the world.
A little less than two years ago, the United States was suddenly attacked again — this time not by planes, bombs and guns, but by an invisible enemy: the COVID-19 coronavirus.
But in this case, our president, instead of calling upon our patriotism and devotion to our country and to our fellow citizens in order to win this new kind of war, quickly abdicated any leadership or responsibility and soon actively began to actually undermine those who were trying to exercise leadership in trying to combat the virus and save lives. Not only did President Donald Trump refuse to exert his presidential powers as chief executive and commander-in-chief in order to unite the country for the common struggle, he actually began to insult and criticize those officials, such as governors, who did try to lead the way. As a result, the United States has lost more lives in this war than we lost in our previously most deadly war, the Civil War of 1861-65. If FDR had been so feckless as to turn WWII over to the 48 governors, we most assuredly would not have won that war.
We also would not have won that war if the American people had not responded by sacrificing and rallying together to support the war effort in all kinds of ways, from accepting rationing of important materials, buying war bonds, planting “victory gardens” and volunteering to possibly give their lives for their country in a war thousands of miles away from their homes.
Today, President Joe Biden, a proud Delawarean and patriot, has inherited the horrible mess left by his appalling predecessor. He is not asking anyone to die for their country. He is asking all Americans to live for their country! Yet, for many of our fellow citizens today, to be asked to wear a mask to protect others and to get a couple of jabs in the arm in order to win this war is said by some to be “an assault on their freedom” and the beginning of “tyranny.”
A few years ago, when Delaware became a pioneer in banning smoking indoors in public places, such as restaurants, there were cries from many about how that was a violation of freedom, as well, and the late Ruth Ann Minner was vilified by them for signing the bill. But 20 years later, we can see that thousands of Delawareans have had their lives lengthened and made healthier because of that wise law, and the freedom to breathe clean air has proven to be much more valuable than some people’s inconvenience. Victory over a deadly virus in a world pandemic would be worth even more.
Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Roosevelt may be rolling in their graves. They were able to call on the American people of their generations — almost 100 years apart — to overcome seemingly hopeless odds and perform incredible sacrifices in order to save the country and win the most inspiring victories in American history. President Biden is trying to lead us today to win another victory and to follow up by making our country a better place for all of us by dealing with some of the problems that have been long neglected. It is a daunting task, made especially so by the fact that, in spite of everything, so many Americans still look to and believe in his predecessor as a real leader and are resistant to anything that Mr. Biden wants to accomplish. If they, and Donald Trump, are able to prevail in their efforts, then we will be remembered, 20 years from now, as the “worst generation.”
Daniel Pritchett
Dover
