I know that the late night comic writers must be exhausted, because I am. Every day I find it more difficult to choose the issues which are most important to the American people.

Trump has been in office for 15 months and 23 days. Our nation has been involved in many issues, very few of which will have a positive effect on the majority of our nation’s people, and very few of which are concerned with our domestic problems. Trump’s many, many scandals continue to dominate the “news.”

This morning I remembered something Ronald Reagan said over 30 years ago. It was valid then, and it’s applicable today, although Trump is only in the second year of his administration. The question Reagan asked the American people was: “Are you better off today than you were four years ago?”

I know that it seems like Trump has been in office for at least four years, but the truth is, ‘he’s only just begun.’ So how has our nation been affected by Trump’s illegitimate presidency after nearly 16 months?

Let’s begin with the fact that the United States has become more divided than at any other time in our nation’s history since the Civil War. There is no middle ground. There are Trump supporters and Trump haters. Those who agree with Trump’s views of America stand by him. Those of us who believe in the principles and ideals of our founding fathers reject him.

Trump is a confirmed white supremacist. Since the day he received the Republican presidential nomination in July of 2016, hate crimes have risen by 800 percent; a fact you will never hear from the fake-news television media. Cuts in social programs have harmed low-income and impoverished Americans, but 560 billionaires and 10.8 million millionaires are experiencing increased wealth. Millions of Americans live in fear that they will lose their healthcare. The sole purpose of repealing Obamacare is to allow Trump to keep a campaign promise.

Trump’s devotion to the NRA adds additional fear for all Americans. During Trump’s short time as our nation’s first fuhrer, there have been three mass shootings; all committed by domestic terrorists. In October of 2017 a lone gunman armed with an assault rifle murdered 58 men and women. The next month a lone gunman, armed with a military assault rifle slaughtered 26 men, women, and children in a church located in a small Texas town. Last Valentine’s Day 17 students and educators lost their lives in a Florida high school. The perpetrator was a lone gunman, armed with a military assault rifle.

Trump and his administration have only one accomplishment they can claim as their own. They passed “tax reform” without a single yes vote from Democrats. Permanent tax breaks were given to Trump and other wealthy Americans. Large corporations will pay less taxes, and our nation’s fiscal health will suffer. Over ten years our nation will experience an increase in the deficit of at least $1.8 trillion. (Where are the “conservatives?”) The tax cut for the middle class will expire in 2020. They will begin paying for the permanent cuts given to the wealthy and corporations.

With Vladimir Putin as Trump’s principle adviser, our nation has become isolated from our closest allies. Trump has voided trade agreements as he plans to impose tariffs which will cause great harm to our economy and increase the unemployment rate.

Although the unemployment rate has declined steadily since President Obama’s first term, the average income has not risen, and the number of Americans living in poverty is growing.

This week the world became a more dangerous place. Trump made another rash decision to void our nuclear arms agreement with Iran. He has no plan to negotiate a new deal. Gas prices began to rise and the American people are paying more at the pump.

Trump’s disdain for Muslims and Hispanics has greatly harmed the tourist industry. During his short tenure the industry has lost four-billion dollars, and tens-of-thousands of men and women employed in the industry have lost their jobs.

The most important changes in our nation; changes which will end democracy in America; are critical and are being ignored. Thanks to Trump’s lies, approximately one-half of all Americans no longer trust the press. This is what John F. Kennedy had to say about the fourth estate

“I think it is is invaluable,” said Kennedy, when asked by NBC journalist Sander Vanocur if he still read the news.

“It is never pleasant to be reading things frequently that are not agreeable news,” he continued, “but I would say it is invaluable arm of the presidency as a check really on what is going on in an administration.”

Trump’s support of white supremacy, lies from FOX Noise, and support of a single religion are blatant attacks on the first amendment of the Constitution. This was considered the most important part of the Law of the Land by our founding fathers.

Although these are only a small part of what has changed in America since January 20, 2017, it is impossible to find a single improvement resulting from the Trump administration.

Public education, the environment, the poor, low-income Americans, and our justice system are all under attack by Trump’s selections for his cabinet and the heads of major and critical departments.

What will he do to America in four years?

Op-ed by James Turnage

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