With all its cold, dark hours and lingering gloom at the start of the year, January might be called The Monday of Months.

This year, many of our democratic traditions will be reflected in major events taking place during this long month of Mondays.

The 117th U.S. Congress is sworn in today. A vote in Georgia Tuesday will determine control of the Senate. The following day, congressional certification of the Electoral College vote will cap November’s election in which the majority of American voters elected Joe Biden.

Two weeks later, the nation will witness the inauguration of the Republic’s 46th president.

Guida’s, a quaint little diner in Middlefield, Connecticut, can boast serving the state’s democratically-elected best hot dogs. But I’m a little concerned that their call for blessings on our nation falls short just when we need it most.

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