In regards to his recent strong statements in response to threats made by the government of North Korea, Donald Trump’s motives are transparent. It’s blatantly obvious that the escalation of tensions between North Korea and the White House provides a golden opportunity for the President to shift the focus of the media from the strife that’s been haranguing his administration since first taking office 6 months ago. Though this “opportunity” may explain the “trigger happy” demeanor of Trump’s retorts, the North Korean problem is indeed a very real one and needs to be carefully dealt with using tact and diplomacy.
Continue reading “Can’t We All Just Get Along?”Daily Violence is the New Norm
Rarely a day goes by these days where there is not a tragic act of violence in the news, usually involving guns, somewhere within the United States of America. I had a workmate update me yesterday on the circumstances of a particular multiple shooting that took place recently and I could not even place the event nor where it took place, though I vaguely had some recollection of it. These incidents are so commonplace anymore that they are all getting mixed up and convoluted to the point where citizens can’t even pay their respects for the victims of a recent tragedy before a brand new incident takes place.
Continue reading “Daily Violence is the New Norm”A Shot in the Arm to the tune of $54 Bs
With President Donald Trump proposing a $54 billion increase in defense spending, what will be cut to offset this exorbitant cost? Federal agency spending, that’s what!
Foreign aid cuts don’t bother me too much, but dissolving domestic programs certainly gets my goat, especially in regards to the impact on my own baby-boomer generation. Will social security even exist when I’m finally eligible to access it?
Granted, upgrading weapons guidance and control systems still unchanged from the 1960s, may seem somewhat justifiable, but the United States already has by far the most powerful military in the world. If you already have a double-barreled, full-choke 12-gauge to protect your household, why buy a sophisticated rocket launcher or even an expensive Ithaca Perazzi? Those funds should be used to raise the salaries of school teachers, police officers and emergency medical technicians. They would be better spent providing basic necessities like food, clothing, shelter and health care to the aging as well as those with infirmities and incapacities.
The Trump administration first appeared to demonstrate an agenda centered on quelling the unrest that has plagued this country for many years now, as evidenced by his desire to cut unnecessary programs, restructure health care, and delineate boundaries (even to the extent of building physical walls), to prevent outside interference. Now he plans to divert the funding that would enable efforts toward internal improvement.
Basically, instead of cutting expenditures for frivolous programs, which appeared to be his initial intention at the beginning of his office, he merely wishes to “rob Peter to pay Paul”, and of course, this is not surprising at all being that our new President absolutely epitomizes capitalism in its purest form.
Folks, I’m definitely getting too old for this!
Donald Trump means Business
Our new President is the epitome of classic American capitalism. This country, the greatest in the history of mankind, is built upon opportunity and Donald Trump has clearly demonstrated his capacity for excelling in that realm. Trump is impulsive, for sure, but his drive and energy will surely transcend the walls of the Oval Office into the hearts of America.
One of the top issues on Trumps agenda is to set up boundaries, which needed to be done. Walls need to be imposed (not necessarily physical ones but implied ones) in order to focus on our own internal strife. It is high time we do that. It will piss-off many, but being a pure businessman, he is prepared to handle opposition. He wouldn’t be the first on this either, Franklin Delano Roosevelt (also a New Yorker) was isolationist until December 7, 1941.
In order for this master to do his work, we must refrain from detracting him from his visions and goals and allow him to do what he does best, which doesn’t mean we should turn our eyes – trust but verify. If the man can excell for himself and his family with the remarkable temerity which he has displayed, why not let him utilize his talents for the benefit of all Americans?
His intensity displayed on first days of his office is commendable, I think. Let’s just hope he doesn’t let up.
Let us embrace the future and refrain from fighting progress, for it is here and now.
President Trump, I’m behind you 100%! Let’s get on with it!
2017 – The First 30 Days
Since being of legal age to vote I usually have, the recent Presidential election being an exception. Voting gives a citizen the right to bitch and since I waived my right this last November, this is not a rant but merely an observation.
Being a Republican by tradition, it wasn’t until recent years that my allegiance began to drift away from partisan politics. I believe in selecting the right person for the job regardless of party affiliation, though that may be too simplistic. Many of us who rush to offer their opinion on matters don’t really know the whole story, which is by design. The big picture is elusive, strategies recondite, agendas hidden. We’re not meant to know everything.
The word politics is derived from the Greek politika or “affairs of state”, based on Aristotelous ta Politika, where the Greek philosopher conceived “politics” as the science of governing an ever-changing public or populace. Western politics is modeled on the theories introduced by the Italian renaissance diplomat and philosopher, Niccolò Machiavelli, in his 1513 treatise on government, Il Principe or The Prince. The term “Machiavellian” is defined as “the employment of cunning and duplicity in statecraft or in general conduct”. Modern politics is not a science but a business.
The last election seemed to involve electing a candidate based not on merit, but on less demerit. We knew that drastic changes were in order and with Clinton, that change would be minimized and things would basically continue “status quo” towards more socialized policies, the more comfortable choice but not necessarily a good thing. With Trump, sweeping changes would be in store, which was terrifying.
Every new administration has been greeted with skepticism, some eventually proven to be justified, others not. As has always been, we must play out the hand we’ve dealt ourselves because there is no turning back.
Much to the consternation of many, President Trump has taken extreme measures early in his administration, but if you look at the subject matter from a more detached perspective, the motivation behind his Executive Orders may be seen more clearly. I will not touch on any of the specific issues, but will just add that Trump’s actions may not be as absurd and radical as so many seem to think.
Though initially stunned by the election results, as I was expecting Clinton to win by a landslide and am yet to sense anything remotely like the “warm fuzzies” from it, my comfort level has improved somewhat as we move into the second month of this new year and new era.
Perhaps some shock therapy is just what our government needs.
