The column below reflects the views of the author, and these opinions are neither endorsed nor supported by WisOpinion.com.
Lincoln, America’s greatest Republican president, defeated an insurrection by enslavers in the South. In his 1865 wartime inaugural address, Lincoln said: The Union and Confederacy “read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other. …The prayers of both could not be answered. That of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has His own purposes.” Empathy and humility.
Contrast to Trump’s January 20th inaugural address: “Just a few months ago, … an assassin’s bullet ripped through my ear. But I felt then, and believe even more so now, that my life was saved for a reason. I was saved by God to make America great again. … National unity is now returning to America … .” Narcissism and hubris.
Lincoln fought to preserve the Union, and later advocated abolition of slavery. Moreover, Lincoln supported the working class: “labor is the superior of capital”, opposing oligarchy and a “mere change of masters.” Biden, in his farewell address, aligned himself with Lincoln: “Today an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedoms, and a fair shot for everyone to get ahead.”
Look at Trump’s inauguration – “The Capitol Rotunda saw a concentration of wealth on Monday (January 20) so rare as to be historic: a caste of magnates worth more than $1 trillion, gathered behind Donald Trump as he was sworn in as the nation’s 47th president …” (Washington Post). Trump’s “unity”.
Wisconsin Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin tweeted: “Somehow, billionaires getting front row seats at Trump’s inauguration doesn’t give me confidence that working families are the priority.” (And) “President Trump used his first day in office to: Prioritize billionaires, Let violent criminals who beat up cops free, Bend the knee to Big Pharma, Tried to rewrite our Constitution. Folks, this is not an agenda to help working families.” Following Trump, Wisconsin GOP Senator Ron Johnson, 8th richest U.S. senator, is fixated on extending Trump’s 2017 tax cuts (mostly for tycoons, like themselves), adding $4.6 trillion to the national debt. And worse.
After Trump swore to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States” he gave a pardon to about 1,600 January 6, 2021, insurrectionists, while commuting the prison sentences of 14 ringleaders. These thugs assaulted – injured more than 140 police officers and desecrated the U.S. Capitol. “Participants carried firearms, chemical sprays, stun guns, axes, baseball bats …” (Washington Post). Some of the rioters are now openly talking about revenge.
Wisconsin GOP Senator Ron Johnson thought the pardons were “absolutely justified” as did Wisconsin GOP (insurrectionist) Representative Derrick Van Orden. They’re trying to have it both ways, saying they opposed pardons for “violent actors”, a distinction without a difference. Afterwards in a stunning display of cognitive dissonance, Johnson introduced legislation to “increase penalties for criminals who target law enforcement.”
Johnson and Van Orden are a disgrace. Lincoln is looking down at them and weeping for America and the Constitution.
– Kaplan wrote a guest column from Washington, D.C., for the Wisconsin State Journal from 1995—2009.