The CDC reported more than 66,000 deaths related to the opioid crisis in 2017. This was a 16 percent increase from 2016. During Trump’s first year in office, 2017, there were no efforts to address the epidemic, and as of this day, February 27, 2020, nothing has been done by the Trump administration other than to offer false, empty promises.
Trump and his failed circle of sinners are now facing another health crisis: the coronavirus.
On Wednesday evening Trump handed over control of fighting the spread of the coronavirus to Mike Pence: the same Governor Mike Pence who was denounced for his mishandling of a growing HIV situation in Indiana. Of course, this is not surprising. Pence is America’s leading homophobe who continues to believe in ‘conversion therapy.’
The truth is that Trump removed millions of dollars in funding for the Center for Disease Control, and fired every member of the organization’s men and women dedicated to preventing a pandemic in America. Trump doesn’t care about the American people, he cares about a declining stock market.
Now, here’s the biggest laugh. Trump suggested a total budget of $2.5 billion to fight the spread. This would consist of $1.25 million in new money and removing $535 million from money allotted to prevent an outbreak of the Ebola Virus.
Lawmakers, both parties, are insisting that the number must be between $6 and $8 billion.
“This is bad,” Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), who sits on the House Appropriations Committee, said Wednesday of the coronavirus, “but if we had an Ebola outbreak here in the United States, that would be devastating. So we shouldn’t be penny-wise and pound-foolish here. We need to come up with something different.”
Senate Minority Leader, Chuck Schumer called for a budget of $8.5 billion. After bipartisan criticism of Trump’s initial proposal, Trump raised the amount to $3.1 billion with no cuts to Ebola funding. Even Trump stooge Kevin McCarthy stated that the funding should not be less than $4 billion.
The truth; the only fact which matters; is that Trump and his circle of sinners are not taking this threat seriously. They have ignored the opioid crisis for more than 37 months. It the situation does not concern them personally, they simply do not care.
We, the American people, deserve a president and an administration which concerns itself with the needs and wishes of all Americans. This does not describe Trump and his circle of sinners, and never will.
November 3rd is just over eight months away. This will be the most important election in America’s 244-year history. Be part of the solution or part of the problem; your choice.
“The Truth Lives Here”
Op-ed by James Turnage
Image courtesy of DonkeyHotey
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