As we cast our gaze into the frosty landscape of the upcoming 2024 Presidential election, Robert Frost's words seem particularly poignant. In his beloved poem, "The Road Not Taken," he evokes the importance of choice, of choosing the road less traveled, and how such a decision can make all the difference. Yet, in another one of his classics, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," the closing lines remind us of the endurance required to uphold the promises made along our journey: "I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep."
Presidents, much like Frost's travelers, embark upon journeys, each laden with promises to the American people. The road they choose to travel, the promises they make and keep, invariably shape the course of their leadership and the country’s destiny.
As we stand on the precipice of the 2024 election, the question we must ask ourselves is, whose promises should we believe in and entrust our future to? Should we weigh the promises made and kept by former President Trump against those of President Biden?
Trump promised to revive the economy and bolster national security, to deregulate, and to drain the swamp. While economic growth was evident before the pandemic, controversies around immigration policies, environmental rollbacks, and divisive rhetoric have called into question the fulfillment of these promises. Yet, for many of his supporters, the progress made was substantial, and they view him as a political outsider who shook the establishment.
On the other hand, Biden's tenure was promised to be one of unity, stability, and progress. He pledged to battle the pandemic head-on, rebuild alliances, combat racial injustice, and invest in infrastructure. While some progress has been made, critics argue that polarizing issues such as gun control and immigration have not been adequately addressed and the too rapid, ill thought out withdrawal from Afghanistan an abject failure (although truth be told it was build upon a pledge by Trump). Still, many see him as a return to a more conventional, collaborative approach to governance.
The question, therefore, is not just about whether Trump or Biden made good on their promises, but also about the kind of promises we want our future leader to make. This isn't merely a question of comparing past performance, because the challenges of the road next traveled - the future - may differ significantly from those we've faced before.
Climate change, evolving global power structures, the rise of artificial intelligence, and renewed conversations around social justice will likely shape the contours of this new road. So, we should look for a leader who can navigate these uncharted terrains, who can make promises not based on the narrow partisan politics of the past, but on a vision that is informed, inclusive, sustainable, and forward-looking.
As we venture onto this road next traveled, it is essential to remember another Frostian lesson: the value of perseverance. Regardless of the promises made, the journey towards their realization will invariably be long and arduous. It will demand from our leader, and us, patience, resilience, the ability to turn bitter divisiveness into shared resolve and, above all, a commitment to the promise of a better America.
As we contemplate the 2024 election, let's be thoughtful travelers. Let's not just evaluate past performances, but also consider the qualities we desire in our next leader. Let's ponder upon the promises we want them to make for the future and their ability to navigate the road next traveled. For, as Robert Frost reminded us, the road we choose can make all the difference, and the promises we commit to will define the miles we travel before we sleep.