Dear President Biden

By Harry Branson

Congratulations on your well-deserved victory. You and your people conducted a credible campaign. I wanted your ethics in the Oval Office. 

Please limit the use of Twitter to “talk” to the people. Think of a better way to communicate with the people of the U.S., but not using social media. Be creative. Tell us what’s going on in person, regularly and truthfully even if it’s bad news. 

President Franklin D. Roosevelt talked to the people using “fireside chats.” Fireside chats were a series of evening radio addresses given between 1933 and 1944. He was able to quell rumors and explain his policies.

His tone and demeanor communicated self-assurance during times of despair and uncertainty. You can convey a similar calm assurance since we are now in a time of despair and uncertainty.

I believe social media — especially Twitter — is one of the destructive forces affecting our country. It may be the most destructive because it is degrading our culture. We are witnessing the rapid and progressive decay of our culture.   

Many people in the U.S. are unable to think rationally and reason. We’ve stopped questioning the reality of what’s being said. For the past four years we have been subjected to the uncensored, incoherent first thoughts of Donald Trump.  

We all have angry and malicious thoughts, but may only give them voice silently or alone in the car when the driver in front cuts us off. I don’t want to know your first thoughts in the morning or about a criticism on television, criticism by a foreign head of state, or criticism by citizen Trump.

I want you to think carefully and reason. Before you speak: is it true, is it helpful, is it inspiring, is it necessary, is it kind? 

Twitter and Facebook are essentially uncensored. Anybody can say anything about anybody or anything. There is no test of veracity. Neither you, your staff, nor I have the time and inclination to verify all that’s said on Twitter or Facebook.  

We the people shouldn’t have to. We need to depend on your personal veracity to keep us informed. 

Harry Branson is a resident of Sellersville.