This past month, on the 15th, former President Joe Biden gave his farewell speech to the nation. He begins his speech recounting the successes that have occurred under his administration, like passing gun safety laws and laws that allow medicare to lower the prices of medication for the elderly, etc.
However this positive mood quickly shifts as Former President Biden shares his concerns of the future of this country with the incoming Trump administration. He shares that a dangerous concentration of power is being put into the hands of ultra wealthy people.
“Today an Oligarchy is taking place in America.” Former President Biden states.
For those who are unaware, an Oligarchy is a form of government in which power and control is given to a small group of people. These people might be chosen because of nobility, family ties, wealth, etc.
Currently, in America’s case, the small group of people are the 1% of billionaires who share monetary support to political groups— specifically the republican party. For a country based on liberty and the voice of its citizens, this isn’t an improvement. It is the exact opposite, this can be the beginning of the collapse of American Democracy.
Now this administration change was perceived as bad news to many Americans, including myself. This belief was established on past actions taken by President Trump during his previous term as President.
Many foreigners and people of color (POC) in America are fearful of what the next four years have in store. I share this concern, not just because Trump’s prejudice and discrimination against POCs affects me and the people I love; but of how distressing it is to see how little people acknowledge or even know the potential consequences that can affect this nation and its people.
Many teachers from HP also shared concern and some had mixed emotions. For example, Ms. Lopez, a Social Studies teacher, explained how when listening to the speech she felt hopeful and frustrated by former President Biden’s words.
She expressed that hearing his reminder of the nation’s value and progress with the rise of an oligarchy and the warning of the military-industrial complex post-Eisenhower administration was overwhelming.
“I think I felt the way I felt because in my lifetime we have been through so much as a nation but I think this is because of the mass availability of information.” says Ms. Lopez
Mr. Kuppersmith, an English teacher, expressed that listening to the speech made him concerned about the future.
“Also made me troubled that a person with much more information than I have, thought that things might be going badly soon made me concerned. Almost worried.” explains Mr. Kuppersmith
Mr. Kuppersmith shares how much of the Former President’s speech was spent retelling the progress that was made under his presidency and how Former President Biden is worried that progress will be undone.
“I didn’t expect for the president to turn into Sinclair Lewis, an author who warned us how easily democracy can turn into fascism.” states Mr. Kuppersmith
Ms. Lopez shares that she believes Former President Biden did a good job addressing the nation for the final time. She also explains how she believes not many people will hear Former President Biden’s warning.
“Unfortunately, I do not think many people took his warnings seriously because of the role the media played in focusing on only the bad.” says Ms. Lopez
Mr. Kuppersmith explains that he is shocked by the current events of the nation. He shares a sentiment that many Americans, including myself and fellow peers, are thinking.
“I feel like there are things happening in the United States, sometimes, that I couldn’t believe could happen in the United States.” says Mr. Kuppersmith
Ms. Lopez shares her advice for students who are concerned about the speech.
“My advice is DO NOT BE WILLINGLY IGNORANT!” states. Ms Lopez
Ms. Lopez explains how she believes that in our era of technology being ignorant to what is happening in the country is a choice. She then advises to fact check everything and to “never believe something just because it sounds true, especially in the age of disinformation and misinformation.”
Mr. Kuppersmith shares that everyday he wears a superman s pendant. He explains that Superman doesn’t care who’s president and who isn’t. That his job is to worry about the cat in the tree or if someone needs rescuing.
Kuppersmith explains how no matter who is politically in charge, Superman’s moral obligation never changes. And neither should ours.
“We have an obligation to be good to each other. And if each of us from all our different perspectives tries to do that, just be excellent for eachother. Then there’s some hope that things will work out alright.” adds Mr. Kuppersmith
He expresses how during elections sometimes your side loses and sometimes your side wins, and that there will be things we can not control. But what we do have control over is how we deal with the things that are in front of us, the right and wrong.
“Regardless of what side anyone was on, it’s out of our control and the train is in motion. What we can control is who we are and how we deal with it.” – Mr. Kuppersmith.
Written by Samantha Rivas, Staff Writer