6/24/2021

June 24, 2021

My Dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

            We are getting a mini-split today. It’s small & quiet & will heat & cool one room without any ducts. We are getting it just in time for the next heat wave. Yeah!

            Congratulations on your “breakthrough” on the infrastructure bill in your talks with the Senators yesterday. Do you think you can figure out the revenue stream with Susan Collins (SJC), Jeanne Shaheen & the other Republicans in the group?

A you well know, getting all of your ducks in a row to pass something like this is a challenge! According to Washington Monthly, “Democratic Presidents from LBJ to Obama have bribed, seduced, and badgered their members into dropping their opposition to signature proposals.” Do you think OR Sen. Ron Wyden will be satisfied that you are doing enough to combat climate change with this version of the bill? Maybe the broadband aspects will appease him. How about Bernie Sanders? He’s all about ameliorating the wealth gap. Is he going to be happy with how this is going to be paid for? I hope everyone realizes that this bill would “bend history in a better direction,” as BHO would say, so they need to compromise.

As you convene with the group again today you might employ the Quaker tactic of pausing for a few moments of silence when things get tense. We call it, “settle into a period of worship,” but you could just call it a “moment to breath.” You can also ask someone who has an objection to “stand aside.” We do this, when our conscience allows, for the good of the meeting. For example, we had a debate about the doors to our meeting house & could not reach unity on the decision. The dissenters eventually “stood aside” because this matter was not one of spiritual importance. We always allow the dissenters to have their concerns noted in our minutes so it’s clear that the decision was not unanimous.

Have a good trip to NC today.

BYBS,

RCA

PS – Pray for Myanmar