I am making a prediction which will frighten all real Americans. If Democrats refuse to adopt a platform which is aggressively progressive their 2020 presidential candidate could lose to the worst illegitimate president in history. Democrats will lose many votes from millennials and women. In recent polls voters who consider themselves more liberal than conservative have experienced a surge. I believe this fact is related to the damage caused by Trump’s backwards policies; policies which separate America from the rest of developed nations. Under Trump’s failed leadership the United States stature in the world has greatly diminished. America is 15th in education and 14th in ‘quality of life.’ Meanwhile, Trump has failed to address every issue considered important to our nation’s people on November 8, 2016.
The opioid crisis is growing. “70,237 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States in 2017. The age-adjusted rate of overdose deaths increased significantly by 9.6% from 2016 (19.8 per 100,000) to 2017 (21.7 per 100,000). Opioids—mainly synthetic opioids (other than methadone)—are currently the main driver of drug overdose deaths.”
Obamacare has become increasingly popular, but Trump has done nothing to improve America’s healthcare. What he has attempted is the repeal of the Affordable Care Act which would leave millions of Americans without access to medical care.
Trump’s policies have widened the gap in income inequality. The working class, including low-income and Americans living below the poverty line, are paying for tax breaks received by 540 billionaires, 11.1 million millionaires, and corporations.
Trump promised to create new, good paying jobs. He has done nothing. The increase in the number of all jobs are the result of policies established by the Obama administration. Under President Obama an increase in the number of good-paying jobs began in the field of reusable energy. Trump has eliminated nearly every program designed to end our dependence on fossil fuel. While most Americans accept the fact that climate change is caused by man, Trump is a denier.
Trump has also quashed efforts to guarantee equality for women in all areas. He is serious about repealing Roe v Wade as demonstrated by his Supreme Court nominees. The truth is that Trump believes that women should not be allowed to control their own physical health. He openly stated that “women who have an abortion should be punished.” In Texas, a Trump state, legislators are actually considering the death penalty for women who have abortions.
Although four of the most terrifying and deplorable mass shootings in America’s history occurred during Trump’s first two years in office, in Las Vegas, Sutherland Springs, Texas, Parkland, Florida, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; each committed by a lone gunman armed with military assault weapons; he has done nothing with the exception of offering “thoughts and prayers;” the only action taken by all Republicans. Under the instructions of the NRA gun lobby, profits for gun manufacturers and gun sellers take precedence over the lives of innocent Americans.
Trump is a sham; a con-man. Democrats must support progressive men and women and shun Pelosi and other old men and women in congress who have outlived their usefulness. Moderates will lose in 2020 because today’s moderates are Democrats who have moved to the right of center and ignore the successes of their past leaders who served the working class. A vote for moderates is a vote for Trump.
The real leaders of the new and improved Democratic Party are Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, and Rashida Tlaib. Join them or get out of the way.
Tell your friends, “The Truth Lives Here.”
Op-ed by James Turnage
Image courtesy of DonkeyHotey
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