Biden’s ‘Bittersweet’ Farewell Address

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Credit…Doug Mills/The New York Times

To the Editor:

Re “In Farewell Address, Biden Warns of an ‘Oligarchy’ Taking Shape in America” (news article, nytimes.com, Jan. 15):

On Wednesday night, from the Oval Office in the White House, Joe Biden delivered his farewell address to the nation. It was not just a closing address to his four years as our president, but also a farewell address to his 50-plus years of public service to the country that he so obviously and deeply loves.

He chose not to “crow” about his many legislative accomplishments, or all that he feels he did to improve the welfare and the well-being of us, the American people. Instead, the most memorable part of his speech embodied a warning that the people must keep their guard up to ward off the dangers posed by a small group of tech oligarchs who are wielding undue and dangerous influence over our lives. Although he did not say so explicitly, he was also warning of their undue influence on the man shortly to be sworn in as our next president.

He said that it’s up to us, each and every one of us, to protect each other and to protect this country. Mr. President, we are grateful for your many long years of service, and sir, we’re well advised to take your warning to heart.

Ken Derow
Swarthmore, Pa.

To the Editor:

President Biden’s farewell is a bittersweet moment for America. He took office as the nation struggled to recover from Covid and tried to address the assault on democracy initiated and fueled by the man who will be our next president. His experience in the federal government and his promise to use his four years as president focused on our nation’s future were reassuring to the country.

His long list of accomplishments is testimony to his unique political abilities. For most presidents it is how they would be remembered. However, for Mr. Biden, his failure to lead on the singular most grave threat to our democracy since the Civil War will be how he is remembered.

What private thought focused him on running for re-election we will never know for sure. We do know the effect. A convicted felon will soon be our president.

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