Page 11 - The Indian EYE 011725

OPINION JANUARY 17, 2025 | The Indian Eye 11

Since the day Mr. Trump an-
nounced his candidacy at the tower
bearing his name almost 10 years
ago, many politicians, pundits, activ-
ists and members of the news media
have detailed every one of his failings
and missteps. Every word he’s ever
spoken has been criticized. Yet he just
won again. People are exhausted by
the endless finger-pointing, nit-pick-
ing and daily battling for political ad-
vantage. They want leaders to work
together to get things done.
Some members of my party and
left-leaning advocacy groups are now
branding themselves as the leaders of
a national “resistance” movement, re-
flexively opposing ideas from the incom-
ing administration. That’s a bad idea.
Resistance has a role. During the
prior Trump presidency, I resisted his
efforts to undo the Affordable Care
Act and to deport the Dreamers. And
we can and should continue to resist
Mr. Trump’s efforts to retaliate against
his perceived political enemies by wea-
ponizing the Justice Department, his
pledge to gut policies that combat cli-
mate change and protect our environ-
ment, and his threat to bring the United
States back to an isolationist view of the
world. To lead effectively, we must find
common ground, build consensus and
offer solutions. Democrats must resist
when necessary, but our general out- Under President Biden, Democrats refocused national policy on rebuilding the middle class by creating solid job opportunities with the Infra-
look must be to go beyond resistance structure Law and promoting manufacturing (ANI photo)
and articulate a vision that inspires.
For instance, while it is essential
to secure the border and deport crim- minimum wage, adoption of the warning and an opportunity. My New weakened our democracy. But if they
inals, we must also reform the broken union-friendly PRO Act and a robust Year’s resolution is to rise above par- embrace bipartisanship and coopera-
asylum system and modernize legal enhancement of the child tax credit. tisanship and bickering, reject extrem- tion, 2025 can be a better year for all
immigration to provide pathways to Voters need to hear that. ism and embrace common sense, and Americans. We have to remember
legalization for Dreamers, Tempo- Democrats cannot abandon our keep building relationships with Re- that the ultimate goal of government
rary Protected Status recipients and zeal to combat climate change. At the publicans and Democrats to get things should be serving the American peo-
farmworkers. Immigration must be same time, let’s balance our commit- done. I’ll work with anyone who wants ple, not our respective parties.
governed by the rule of law while pro- ment to environmental protection with to solve problems and make things
tecting immigrant families from fear pragmatic measures that safeguard better for people, but I’ll never aban- Tom Suozzi, a Democrat, represents
and ensuring our economy is kept sta- affordable utility bills and manageable don my values. If Republicans and New York’s Third Congressional
ble while treating human beings like costs at the pump. Let’s move beyond Democrats choose the path of divi- District. He is a former Nassau County
human beings. the relentless attacks on widely held sion and overreach, they will deepen executive and mayor of Glen Cove on
Under President Biden, Demo- religious values while ensuring that the the partisan divides that have already Long Island.
crats refocused national policy on re- rights, safety and dignity of all are up-
building the middle class by creating held. And Democrats should be sup-
solid job opportunities with the Infra- portive of efforts to make government
structure Law and promoting manu- more efficient and effective, but we
facturing under the CHIPs Act. Un- must fiercely defend and advocate the
fortunately, we failed to communicate strengthening of Social Security, Medi-
the effort effectively. While Mr. Biden care and the Affordable Care Act.
was often quoted saying, “It’s time to Both parties should seek new
grow the economy from the bottom ideas and leaders to demonstrate a
up and the middle out,” no one really willingness to break away from the re-
understood that he was talking about strictive orthodox ideologies of some
creating more solidly middle-class of the more extreme members of the
jobs and putting forth a real policy to Democrats’ Progressive Caucus and
do just that. the Republicans’ Freedom Caucus,
Republicans claim they are for who limit our ability to seek common
working families, but it is Demo- ground and get things done.
crats who support an increase in the This time in history is both a

www.TheIndianEYE.com