Trump doesn’t give a damn about anyone else other than himself. He has spent one-third of his time in office on a golf course while serious problems facing the American people are ignored. Trump has failed to keep a single promise to the American people. He has not “repealed and replaced Obamacare;” he is intent upon repealing all healthcare for tens-of-millions of Americans. He promised to reduce the trade deficit; the truth is that because of his foolish tariffs it has risen by more than seven percent. In 2016 more than 58,000 Americans died from a drug overdose related to the opioid crisis; Trump promised to end it. During his first year in office, 2017, more than 75,000 Americans lost their lives in drug-related incidents. Trump promised to “build a wall and make Mexico pay for it.” Ain’t gonna happen.
As usual Trump is golfing again today. The secret service is protecting his worthless existence and may soon be doing so without receiving a paycheck. Republicans have once again left for vacation without approving a budget for the coming year. Trump is threatening to shut-down the government if funding for his unnecessary wall is not included in that budget.
Here’s the truth, and Trump won’t like it. No more than 40 percent of all Americans supported a wall at the height of Trump’s “popularity.” It is unnecessary and an archaic proposal. This was popular and necessary in the 16th century, but a waste of money in the 21st century. There are many ways to increase border security, but a wall is the least effective and would be another wasteful “accomplishment” by this failed ‘president.’ This old, orange man just doesn’t get it.
Let me explain something to those of you who don’t understand what a government shut-down would entail.
Trump, congress, and the Supreme Court Justices would continue to receive their bloated paychecks. Those who work for these 545 men and women would not. The secret service would be working without compensation. During a shutdown, the US government “must discontinue all non-essential discretionary functions until new funding legislation is passed and signed into law,” as the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget explains.
The following is a partial list of those who will be punished if Trump is allowed to shut-down the government. This will affect 800,000 government employees, some who will remain at their jobs but without pay.
Air traffic controllers and many Transportation Security Agency employees continue working, but don’t get paid.
FBI, DEA agents, and correction officers continue working, but don’t get paid.
Active-duty military are required to keep working, but they don’t get paid. Death benefits aren’t paid to military survivors.
Mail is delivered, as are Social Security checks and Medicaid payments
NASA is closed, and the Department of Commerce.
Payments to public housing that support three million households are suspended.
Trump will remain on a golf course at one of his millionaires only resorts.
The Truth Lives Here
Op-ed by this “Wise Old Fart,” James Turnage
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