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Jack Burgess| Correspondent

President Bidens recent meeting with Russias Putin was an apparent success.Bidens an experienced leader, and he puts America first, not personal gain or ego. Our nation does best when we focusas Bill Clinton said, like a laser, on the economy. In 1992 Clinton defeated incumbent President G.H.W. Bushwhod led us into war in Iraqwhile unable to keep his promise of no new taxes. Clinton got re-elected in 96, even as Republicans smeared him with impeachment over his private life, mainly because real wages were going up for everybody, includingfor the only time since the 60s---lower-income groups.

Republicans, whove saddled themselves with the philosophy of mostly helping the wealthy, with tax cuts and deregulation, have trouble winning majorities because of that, and the unemployment and poorer government services that result. Most voters know that tax cuts are not generally good for working folks. So, Republican strategists have often used the Southern strategy, developed by Nixon, to scare ordinary white folks into believing people of color and foreigners are taking over our country.

Going back to the 1940s, Republicans have often tried to scare folks with communism and socialism.They blamed Democratic President Truman for losing China to communism, and for the Korean War.

Republican Eisenhower steered clear of sending troops to Vietnam, but Kennedy did send a small force, and Johnson sent 500,000 Americans in a losing battle to convince the poor people of S.E. Asia theyd be better off on our side than Chinas. We know how that ended, with over 50, 000 Americans killed, and Vietnam becoming communist,---though ironically theyre now a significant trading partner.

And even though Johnsons Great Society programs were generally successful, Democrats lost the 68 election to Nixon, mainly because of the disastrous Vietnam War.

Wars are often popular at their beginnings.Both Bushes got a big political lift from their attacks on Iraq.But Bush Sr.s war ended a bit too soon for his 92 election.His sons invasion and occupation of Iraq, looking for the fictional weapons of mass destruction, lasted long enough to get him past Sen. Kerry, whod been unfortunately for his political status on both sides of the Vietnam War.Kerry was reviled as a flip-flopper, and it was all over.

Forward to 2008.Democrats had a choice between two firsts a black man, and a woman.Obamas natural assets were partly why he edged out Hillary Clinton.But so was the fact that he seemed less warlike on foreign policy.Obama admitted Americas role in overthrowing the government of Iran in 1953, which spiraled our relationship with that nation into endless conflict.Hillary, as Sec. of State, pushed for overthrowing Gadhafi in Libya and Assad in Syria, and she lost the sizeable peace vote in the Democratic primaries of 08. She never regained that vote in losing to Trump in 16, who took the stance that we should get along with Russia.

He was right about that. Russia has never attacked America, though we invaded them in 1917, trying to put down their budding revolution.Weve also pushed NATO ever closer to Russias borders, in spite of Reagans promise to Gorbechev that we wouldnt. Russia is defending Crimea-Ukraine, with its only warm-water port, even as we blockaded Cuba in 1962. Russia is a smaller country than us in population and economically, but they have more nuclear weapons. Enough to blow up the world, and us with it. So Trump and Biden are both right that we need to get along. Putin seems to agree, though he may well have sanctioned the hacking of our cyber networks. In fairness, our spies are everywhere, too, and it would be nave to think we dont try to interfere in their internal affairs.

So, lets hope President Biden and the Democrats stay focused on building America back, better, as they promised. While were at it, we could invest more in cyber security, but not more bombs or more wars.

Jack Burgess is a retired teacher of American & Global Studies, and a member of Veterans For Peace.

Original post:
Burgess: Democrats right to focus on economy, not Russia and China - Chillicothe Gazette