President Donald J. Trump Inauguration: Sign of the impending Apocalypse? Or Much Ado About Nothing?
For those of us who watched a rather celebrity-less Presidential Inauguration, and the WTF aftermath (Sean Spicer press conference, anyone?), it remains to be seen if this administration can reach a level of competence that will assuage the anxiety and fear of certain segments of the American population. First, there was hardly anybody of entertainment value that was willing to perform. Even though that does not portend whether an administration will be scandal-free, or if they can accomplish anything, perception does matter. It was partially due to immense public pressure (bullying, in my opinion), which caused some artists and entertainers to "pull out due to other conflicts" from performing for the new administration. IF artists and entertainers were forced to not play for presidents who committed adultery, or said things they regret, inaugurations would have no celebrities present. I think in order to protect and honor the dignified and peaceful transfer of power between administrations, artists should play even if they loathe or dislike the new President. Be above partisan fighting.
Too many artists and entertainers give in to the bullying committed by the online community. In addition, the level of political correctness that is prevalent in our society, along with the threat of boycotts has forced people to make decisions based on fear and calcuation of loss of income, which is sad. It is not a sign of a great society where small but influential group of bloggers, online trolls, etc. can force people to make a choice between income and being decent people.
President Trump's Inuagural speech was not too uplifting or aspirational. Instead, he painted a bleak picture of a dystopian America, one in which he alone can make better, and atone for past Presidents' mistakes. I believe that America is doing very well, but for the 1% of Americans primarily, who are high earners and who do not struggle to make ends meet, or worry if they will have the money to feed their kids. When he states "Make America Great Again," I feel he is targeting those Americans who are not part of the success that benefits others, i.e. the 1%. He has the right message for those who feel they are being left behind by a globalized economic model, but I am not sure he has the right solutions for those individuals. Tax cuts for the wealthy, decreased government spending, except for the Department of Defense, is not the way I would go. Personally, if I were President, I would raise taxes on the wealthy, provide tax cuts for the middle class and lower income earners, place a moratoriam on government spending, and ease certain regulations for businesses so that they can improve local economies.
However, Congress is controlled by the supply-side Republican party. They are not interested in increased government spending, but essentially use a "one-size fits all" legislative model of tax cuts for the wealthy, decreased entitlement (social security, etc) and massive defense spending. That usually is a recipe for large increments to our national debt, but that has not stopped Republicans before. They seem to care about deficit spending and the troubling debt when Democrats control the White House, and or one branch of Congress. I do not see President Trump making the lives of people better. I think he is essentially a puppet of the GOP donor class, and does whatever Chief of Staff Reince Priebus tells him to do. The rumors of Trump spending most of his time watching tv to retaliate against those who make fun of him, or are critical of him, is disconcerting to say the least.
The area of the new Trump Administration that worries me the most is foreign policy. He seems to be way too cozy with Russian Presient Vladimir Putin, and add the fact that he has not released his tax returns is very troubling. Those Americans who feel that not releasing his returns means he is hiding something from the country is a serious issue. Is he compromised? Are most of the loans he receives from foreign investors primarily Russian in origin? Media reports have said that many banks are reluctant or outright against loaning money to the Trump organization, mainly due to the fact that Mr. Trump is very litigious. He makes Scientology, which has a reputation of intimidation through massive and frequent litigation, seem benign in nature.
I sincerely hope that President Trump does not given in the the Neocons in his administration who are angling for war with Iran. I believe the American people are exhausted from the last two wars that endured for over 15 years. The electorate will not stand for another stupid invasion of a Middle Eastern country. Since Russia is a protector of Syria and Iran, and Trump is friendly with Putin, perhaps one of the benefits of this shady friendship will be an aversion to armed conflict in the most volatile region of the country. One can hope anyway.
Inauguations are symbolic of something new. Will President Trump usher in a new era for prosperity for all? Will he avoid the shameful foreign policy of President Bush? Will he be an faithful steward of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights?
No one knows how the next four years are going to turn out. The world prays that it will not be a disaster. Terrorism can only be defeated by being smart, and building trust and cooperation between those Western nations and the Islamic community around the world. President Trump is now the Leader of the Free World.
Now what?
These are troubling times and you have aptly highlighted the core issues. The barrage of Executive Orders seem to justify the concerns that President Trump is serious about enacting them. But in this democracy and Republic, the very people who voted him POTUS can initiate change-the protests are a start but these should be peaceful and non violent to be effective and the use of the legal system can slow down his intentions. We will have to see what the next 90 days brings.
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