Trending
No matter the subject, Donald Trump contends that he knows more about it than anyone ever. He refuses to listen to those with degrees in the subject or who have worked in that field for years. He has said that when making a judgment, he listens to himself. Whether it's the reflecting pool or the Iran war, he knows best. The downside to that is when something goes wrong, there's no one else to blame, which actually hasn't stopped him from scapegoating others.
The Trump effect is best described as the "un-Midas touch". The White House rose garden is now a cement patio. The East Wing was demolished for his extravagant ball room. The South Lawn has still not recovered from the UFC fight. He super glued gaudy "gold" ornamentation throughout the Oval Office. Fencing is being built for blocks around the White House to keep out "intruders" and a tarp covers the White House entrance for some unknown reason. He is also planning to expand beyond the White House grounds to build his "Trump Arch".
But those are just minor things. When it comes to our relationships with other countries, the economy, the environment, the safety, health and well being of the American people, etc., his decisions take on a dangerous element.
Say what you will about Joe Biden, he left us with an economy that was the envy of the world (Time magazine). He rescued us from the Covid epidemic and we were on an upward trajectory. Trump took that economy and tanked it with his tariffs and the Iran war. It's easy to compare what you were paying for groceries or gas in 2024. Just look at your old check book register or credit card statements.
Trump's receptions at NATO and the G7 summit were less than warm. He actually managed to alienate the one leader who was even remotely on his side, Prime Minister Meloni of Italy. Here on the North American continent he has threatened more tariffs on Canada because the smoke from the wildfires there have blown down into the US. Note: he didn't do that until it reached Washington.
The federal government has been literally gutted by Trump and his lackeys from Doge and acting department heads who are completely unqualified for their posts. If you are black or female, your chances of being fired are pretty much guaranteed. Anyone holding views contrary to DJT are most definitely out regardless of their qualifications.
Women who are in danger of dying are being denied abortions. Measles and cyclospora are threatening our health along with screw worms sickening cattle. NPR reported that 2.6-5 million people have dropped their health insurance due to the expiration of Affordable Care Act tax subsidies. The Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health estimates that over 700,000 people have died as a result of the gutting of USAID; two-thirds of those are probably children.
American citizens are being murdered by ICE agents detaining people who are in this country legally and the perpetrators are not being held accountable. In detention camps, those who looked to us for salvation are dying, mistreated and deported to countries they have never been to before.
Land that was once held sacred and pristine is now open to destruction to get more fossil fuel that will be burned, further destroying our environment.
The very office of the presidency has been desecrated. With the blessing of the Supreme Court, which has three Trump appointed justices, Trump has made more money in one year from this office than he did in all the rest of his life. He "jokes" about running in 2028 ignoring the example of George Washington who had the opportunity to stay in the office indefinitely but who left after two terms because he felt he should not be considered king-like. He puts his name on everything from the Kennedy Center and an airport to currency and passports. Banners with his likeness hang from government buildings.
You can take down the banners and the gauche gold geegaws. You can remove the cement and plant more roses. But I fear some of the things Trump is ruining cannot be fixed.
Verna Caruso is a native of Muncy, who now resides in Williamsport. She is a former staff member at Inc. magazine and former Chair of the Lycoming County Democratic Committee.