Like many of us, Republicans and Democrats alike, I’m deeply concerned for the future of our nation under President-Elect Trump. His campaign rhetoric spewed fear and hate, setting up scapegoats for all our ills. He promised “change” and a “greater nation.” It resulted in a successful strategy for winning. His votes combined folks who felt disenfranchised, the unemployed or under-employed, racists and bigots, and the anti-Clinton group.
Now that Mr. Trump has been elected, we would hope he would try to unify our nation’s “melting pot” of varied races, religions, and creeds. We hope he would demonstrate his desire to truly improve our world relations and solve some of our nation’s problems by selecting knowledgeable advisors to guide him. Instead his choices to date, have been biased, undiplomatic, flawed men. (Mr. Bannon, his chief strategist, is a known “white supremacist,” an alt-right member), and Senator Sessions, his choice for Attorney General, is an outspoken supporter of racists, anti-immigrant and anti-trade policies. These cabinet positions require fair, unbiased judgments and nonpartisan decisions. How do these men qualify for their positions of leadership?
Mr. Trump also tried to appoint his son-in-law for a government post in an effort to defy the present law against nepotism. Certainly campaign cronies and family members should not be our nation’s decision-makers.
We Americans are fortunate to have a Constitution, a Bill of Rights, and the rule of law. We have three branches of government of which the presidency is only one. Each branch provides check and balances over each other. Therefore, our legislature has a mandate to control any irresponsible or reckless action taken by the executive branch.
The office of President is an awesome position and a serious undertaking. It will be especially challenging for Mr. Trump who has had no governing experience. He has been essentially a television personality who is a millionaire and has used that status to say and do as he wishes. He cannot identify with the out-of-work poor or unsettled of our nation because he has never faced these situations. Business failures and hotel bankruptcies have either been covered by his father’s millions or suffered by his investors. Mr. Trump has settled many court cases against him by paying sizeable fines. This background does not prepare him for the presidency. But I do believe he can become a competent executive if he has responsible guidance.
Mr. Trump will also have to reverse his historical blindness and recall the economic crisis we endured during the 2008 recession. We should acknowledge the remarkable (although slow) economic turnaround during Obama’s presidency. (Banks reopened, the housing and auto industries are thriving, an unemployment decrease of 40%) Certainly, much more can and should be done. With this foundation, Mr. Trump can truly make our country great. This requires using good judgement rather that insistence on change for change’s sake.
There is similar logic concerning the Affordable Care Act. Heath care has consumed years of study and many aborted plans. Now, we finally have a plan in place (however limited it is). He can build on this and develop a broader-based health service (with Congress’ help). I believe President-Elect Trump will be able to reduce insurance and drug company’s charges that President Obama could not. But again, this requires building (not abolishing) the present health care system.
I foresee Congress being the most active and influential in history. As such, I hope they will appoint Merrick Garland to fill the vacant Supreme Court seat. Mr. Garland is a highly regarded jurist, nonpartisan, fair-minded, and well respected. He is an ideal choice for both Republicans and Democrats. We need the full complement of judges for the Supreme Court as the court may have some extremely important decisions to make during this Trump presidency. Permitting Mr. Trump to appoint a judge to the Supreme Court could have dire consequences, judging by the people he has selected as his advisors.
During Mr. Trump’s campaign, he repeatedly said he planned to cut taxes. Now that his tax plan has been proposed, I have had an opportunity to review it. Sadly, it is set to cut taxes for the rich and corporations and may cause a tax increase for middle incomes. The “trickle-down theory” never worked in the past and it is unrealistic to believe it will help our economy recover now.
Also, President-Elect Trump plans to cut the budget. His plan is to eliminate several necessary government-funded programs and reduce Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security payments. Help from economic specialists could appropriately change his plans.
I truly believe Mr. Trump can gain the respect of the American public if he openly rejects “alt-right” views and accepts the advice of competent, intelligent folks who want to help him in difficult situations.
Most of all, I feel confident that Congress will be alert to any violation of our constitutional laws and any abuse of our civil rights. I’m sure they will jealously guard care of the environment and preservation of our beautiful land. In their mandated role, the legislators will assure us a future that is peaceful, safe, and secure while unifying us into a United States of America.
Harriet Hausman is a longtime resident of River Forest.