Noblesse oblige? Arc de Trump? Hunger in America?
B. Jay Cooper argues that Donald Trump endangers Americans during shutdown, erodes democracy, prioritises vanity projects, ignores rising costs and hunger, and lacks empathy, as elections show voter pushback.
T he President of the United States literally is playing with the lives of the country that elected him.
From withholding food assistance to the 42 million people who need it, to forcing airlines to cancel flights because air controllers are working without the promise of pay, to murdering people in boats, to threatening war with Nigeria and Venezuela, to putting untrained immigration enforcement people and troops on the streets of American cities, to roughing up even American citizens (am I leaving anything out?), more American lives are at risk today than the day he was sworn in.
I don’t think that’s how our democracy is supposed to work.
Meantime, despite promising to lower prices on Day One, food and other daily costs are increasing while the President is building homages to himself (an arc de Trump?). He’s cut the legs out from under one of the great performing arts centers in the world. He is gilding the People’s House in gold, building a ballroom that everyday Americans will never be inside for events. He’s whining about not winning the Nobel Peace Prize he hasn’t earned while he threatens violence against other countries and wants to start nuclear testing again (so, maybe he gets it next year?).
Does anyone think he has really solved the Middle East problem except him?
Rather than demonstrating leadership as the country goes through the longest government shutdown in history, he proposes the Senate does away with its filibuster so a simple majority can adopt his desires to force more spending cuts, to stop our free elections.
Instead of providing leadership to solve the shutdown he wants to change the rules so he can win.
Same as he wants to change the election laws, how redistricting is done and, even today, is hinting (I am being nice) that Ukraine cannot win its war with Russia, rather than having solved it in less than 24 hours, as he promised.
He, therefore, wants to face life as he has for the last roughly 80 years – with a silver spoon in his mouth, getting his way by force of threat. He wants his easy life to continue as he “leads” what has been the most important country in history.
This week, he experienced an election where he was rebuffed by voters from the East to the West. Swing voters shifted back against him. Not that it bothers him – he isn’t running again. But you’ll witness the chill among House and Senate members who see their elections not automatic anymore, as voters exercise free will and vote in their best interests, not the President’s best interest.
The bully tactics don’t work in a free society forever. Only as long as life is good or at least tolerable for the people the government is supposed to serve.
People going hungry in the USA? Unheard of.
But it’s beginning as the President fights against them as he ignores and appeals court orders that leave those who need help not knowing where or how their next meal is coming from, as SNAP goes on hiatus and food kitchens will suffer alack of stock shortly.
The President can, until he’s gold in the face, bluster that prices are down but they aren’t. And we all know that because we pay the bills. He doesn’t, nor does he even care that there are people who don’t know where their next meal is coming from or if they can pay their energy bill, mortgage or rent.
It can’t even really be called noblesse oblige. The President just doesn’t care. A guest fainted during a presidential press conference yesterday. What was the President’s reaction? He stood there. Did nothing. Didn’t even call for help.
Because he doesn’t know how to show care or empathy for anyone other than himself.
Or to provide needed help.
GOING FURTHER
What we know about White House plans for an 'Arc de Trump' | BBC NEWS
Trump's plans to restart nuclear testing likely won't produce any mushroom clouds, experts say | CBS NEWS
Trump claims his three-word plan would set up GOP to ‘never lose another election’ — despite Tuesday’s blue tsunami losses | THE INDEPENDENT
Trump says he can end the Russia-Ukraine war in one day. Russia’s UN ambassador says he can’t | AP NEWS
'Desperate, Frustrated, Angry': Latinos Are The Swing Voters At The Center Of American Politics | HUFFPOST
SNAP benefit delays could mean millions go hungry - despite Americans wasting almost $400 billion of food a year | THE INDEPENDENT
New York Post editorial board says Trump sounds like Biden on affordability | THE HILL
Trump's bright view of the economy doesn't match what voters are seeing | NBC NEWS
Trump's Boast Of A Golden White House 'Freak Out' Backfires Spectacularly | HUFFPOST
Man Collapses Behind Trump During Oval Office Announcement | NEWSWEEK
WATCH: White House Guest Faints During Oval Office Event, Trump Says Man 'Is Fine' (YouTube) | THE HILL
[ Europeans TODAY ]
