Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

C0RI0LANUS

(3,015 posts)
Wed Jan 15, 2025, 04:43 PM Jan 15

Letter from President Joe Biden to the American People

Source: The White House

Four years ago, we stood in a winter of peril and a winter of possibilities. We were in the grip of the worst pandemic in a century, the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, and the worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War. But we came together as Americans, and we braved through it. We emerged stronger, more prosperous, and more secure.

Today, we have the strongest economy in the world and have created a record 16.6 million new jobs. Wages are up. Inflation continues to come down. The racial wealth gap is the lowest it’s been in 20 years. We’re rebuilding our entire nation—urban, suburban, rural, and Tribal communities. Manufacturing is coming back to America. We’re leading the world again in science and innovation, including the semiconductor industry. And we finally beat Big Pharma to lower the cost of prescription drugs for seniors. More people have health insurance today in America than ever before. I signed one of the most significant laws helping millions of veterans who were exposed to toxic materials and their families, as well as the most significant climate law ever and the first major gun safety law in nearly 30 years. Today, the violent crime rate is at a 50-year low.

I ran for president because I believed that the soul of America was at stake. The very nature of who we are was at stake. And, that’s still the case. America is an idea stronger than any army and larger than any ocean. It’s the most powerful idea in the history of the world. That idea is that we are all created equal, endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights, among them life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We’ve never fully lived up to this sacred idea, but we’ve never walked away from it either. And I do not believe the American people will walk away from it now.

Vice President Harris and I asked our staff to prepare a detailed summary of the progress we’ve made together throughout the last four years. Below, I’m sharing our record with you. I hope you’ll do your part to build on the progress we’ve made.

It has been the privilege of my life to serve this nation for over 50 years. Nowhere else on Earth could a kid with a stutter from modest beginnings in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Claymont, Delaware, one day sit behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office as President of the United States. I have given my heart and my soul to our nation. And I have been blessed a million times in return with the love and support of the American people.

History is in your hands. The power is in your hands. The idea of America lies in your hands. We just have to keep the faith and remember who we are. We are the United States of America, and there is simply nothing beyond our capacity when we do it together.

Thank you.

Joseph R. Biden, Jr.


Read more: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2025/01/15/the-biden-harris-administration-record/





President Joe Biden delivers his farewell address to the American people tonight from the Oval Office.

The White House link above will take you to:

FACT SHEET: The Biden-Harris Administration Record
19 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Letter from President Joe Biden to the American People (Original Post) C0RI0LANUS Jan 15 OP
I wish more men were like Joe Walleye Jan 15 #1
Thanks to the President and VP and their administration for showing us how to govern with strength Deuxcents Jan 15 #2
Great letter from President Biden LetMyPeopleVote Jan 15 #3
He always could bring me to tears. This, no exception... hlthe2b Jan 15 #4
My favorite President so far. He's proven to be the People's President. Bluethroughu Jan 15 #5
History books will record Joe Biden as one of the most consequential presidents. LastLiberal in PalmSprings Jan 15 #6
There is still time for him to preemptive pardon those folks Trumps threatens to punish. Not everyone has the safety... usaf-vet Jan 15 #7
I'm sick about all this. cilla4progress Jan 15 #8
The list is ENDLESS! Greatest damn President Joinfortmill Jan 15 #9
Four years of prosperity, now four more fucking years of peril Blue Owl Jan 15 #10
Beautiful declaration to all Americans. tavernier Jan 15 #11
I went to a departure ceremony today COL Mustard Jan 15 #12
Two awesome Presidents leaving us this month...... Fla Dem Jan 15 #13
God bless you, President Biden! Thank YOU for all your tireless work on our behalf calimary Jan 15 #14
What is wrong with the American people? We traded this excellent President and truly LoisB Jan 15 #15
Biden gave us Merrick Garland kiri Jan 16 #16
Save this and the fact sheet as a PDF, because Felon47 will try and destroy Biden's legacy and all record of it GoneOffShore Jan 16 #17
Good idea. I read that Trumpf will be going after the National Archivist at NARA. C0RI0LANUS Jan 16 #19
We may be bdamomma Jan 16 #18

Deuxcents

(21,575 posts)
2. Thanks to the President and VP and their administration for showing us how to govern with strength
Wed Jan 15, 2025, 04:53 PM
Jan 15

And compassion, tradition and science, love of country and believing we can do anything together. 💙

hlthe2b

(108,904 posts)
4. He always could bring me to tears. This, no exception...
Wed Jan 15, 2025, 05:42 PM
Jan 15
to you Joe Biden. Your pain is shared-- for the future to come-- but we are grateful for what you were able to do.



6. History books will record Joe Biden as one of the most consequential presidents.
Wed Jan 15, 2025, 05:58 PM
Jan 15

If books still exist after the next four years, that is.

usaf-vet

(7,418 posts)
7. There is still time for him to preemptive pardon those folks Trumps threatens to punish. Not everyone has the safety...
Wed Jan 15, 2025, 06:04 PM
Jan 15

.... net of being covered by the Speech and Debate Clause.

The purpose of the Speech and Debate Clause is to protect members of Congress from being legally questioned or held accountable for statements or actions made during legislative proceedings, effectively safeguarding their ability to freely perform their legislative duties without fear of lawsuits or intimidation from the executive branch, thereby preserving the independence of the legislative branch; it is essentially a protection for legislative speech and debate within the legislative body itself.



Those who don't have the benefits of the Speech and Debate Clause, if they need legal advice to defend themselves, could end up in bankruptcy.

cilla4progress

(26,285 posts)
8. I'm sick about all this.
Wed Jan 15, 2025, 06:21 PM
Jan 15

He shouldn't have left the race when he did.

Sooner, or not at all.

They screwed Kamala.

Blue Owl

(55,779 posts)
10. Four years of prosperity, now four more fucking years of peril
Wed Jan 15, 2025, 06:38 PM
Jan 15

Thanks to the motherfuckers who were fooled by the con man propped up by ABCNNBCBS….

Only the 1% will “benefit” — temporarily — while the rest of us crash and burn…

tavernier

(13,583 posts)
11. Beautiful declaration to all Americans.
Wed Jan 15, 2025, 06:43 PM
Jan 15

But like pearls before swine, many will grunt and bury it in the dirt before them.

COL Mustard

(7,313 posts)
12. I went to a departure ceremony today
Wed Jan 15, 2025, 06:56 PM
Jan 15

For one of the best political appointees I’ve worked for. As he charged us, we Federal workers have to stay strong, stay focused on our mission, and remember that we have important work to do for the American people.

I’m going to miss that appointee, and we’re certainly going to miss President Biden and VP Harris.

Fla Dem

(26,416 posts)
13. Two awesome Presidents leaving us this month......
Wed Jan 15, 2025, 06:57 PM
Jan 15

Jimmy Carter and now Joe Biden who I hope will be around for quite a few more years. They both gave their all to help make The United States of America a wonderful country.

Enjoy your retirement, Joe!

calimary

(85,674 posts)
14. God bless you, President Biden! Thank YOU for all your tireless work on our behalf
Wed Jan 15, 2025, 07:13 PM
Jan 15

and the grace you never stopped showing to the American people, whether they supported you or not. You’ve been a devoted and selfless worker for our country for some 50 years of public service. You’ve been a role model, a pillar of strength, and an inspiration for us all.

Your critics wouldn’t cut you any slack, but history will be VERY kind to you.

LoisB

(9,890 posts)
15. What is wrong with the American people? We traded this excellent President and truly
Wed Jan 15, 2025, 07:27 PM
Jan 15

good man for "IT"?

kiri

(926 posts)
16. Biden gave us Merrick Garland
Thu Jan 16, 2025, 12:29 AM
Jan 16

Biden gave us Merrick Garland
And thus Trump's re-emergence. History will not be kind to Biden for this seminal demise of democratic values: liberté, fraternité, égalité.

Biden did not pardon Leonard Peltier. It would cost Biden nothing to spare this man for the last year of his life.

Yes, I like and applaud Biden, Carter, Sanders...............but the Garland failure will haunt us forever.

GoneOffShore

(17,766 posts)
17. Save this and the fact sheet as a PDF, because Felon47 will try and destroy Biden's legacy and all record of it
Thu Jan 16, 2025, 04:22 PM
Jan 16

bdamomma

(67,840 posts)
18. We may be
Thu Jan 16, 2025, 04:53 PM
Jan 16

disheartened at the moment, but, I will do everything I can to heed the word from the best President during our lifetime. This is our test, I do not want to fail.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Letter from President Joe...