Early in the 2016 campaign season I supported Bernie Sanders. He aligned with my personal beliefs more than any other politician in my lifetime. He never wavered in his support for the working class and his damnation of the one-percent, Wall Street, and the failure of capitalism for the majority of the American people. Although I am a ‘septuagenarian,’ I agree with what we call the millennial generation and believe that a democratic socialism is the only way to save the America of our founding fathers.

When I was growing up in the 1950’s, I remember my grandfather and my uncles talking about the corruption in Washington, and how politicians were all evil. If they were around today, they would think that the congress of their days was perfect. Today’s politicians are completely corrupt and have no interest in serving the American people. The GOP is entirely involved with winning elections and advancing their personal future. The proof is the hypocrisy of the party after the election of Trump.

Take the example of Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tom Price. The Georgia Congressman has committed a criminal offense, and yet Trump has supported him for a critical cabinet position.

As a member of congress, Price invested heavily in a company which produces equipment vital to the care of millions of Americans. Then he introduced legislation which would give advantages to that company. The result would be millions of dollars in profit for Price and his family. Price has failed to offer transparency into his investments.

“It is important for people who have a responsibility of confirmation … to have information necessary for their making a vote on confirmation, and that’s what the Senate has asked for,” Nancy Pelosi said during a press briefing in the Capitol.

“Public Citizen has written to the Office of Congressional Ethics with a detailed complaint on a matter of Congressman Price’s trades at the same time as he was acting upon them. I think it would be important for the OCE to swiftly move to review that information before the confirmation hearing.”

Bernie Sanders demanded answers from Trump’s nominee about healthcare for all Americans. Price was evasive, as expected. With his refusal to fully answer the questions offered by Senator Sanders, he confirmed his intention to repeal the Affordable Care Act without offering an alternative solution.

Trump continues to select the worst of America as his closest advisers, and this confirms my estimation of the man’s lack of intellect, while revealing his poor judgment. We, the people, cannot allow him to make decisions for us; our future and the future of the United States is in the balance.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

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My latest novel, “Four More Years,” is available on Amazon. The Kindle app is a free download.