By JOHN SKINNER
When Donald Trump began his run for the office of president with the slogan “Make America Great Again,” my thought was, “When was America not great? What is wrong with the country?”
I see now that America had grown complacent. We were resting on our laurels. Enjoying the results of years of economic growth and stability.
But where I saw general well-being, Trump saw jobs that had moved out of the country due to globalization or concerns over climate change and environmental protection.
Tuesday’s Election
The elections that took place Tuesday, Nov. 7 were mini referendums on Trump’s efforts to change the entire American landscape, and the results suggest that there is a strong backlash building.
Obamacare
It seems like the “Repeal and Replace” chant began before the ink was dry on the Affordable Care Act. And Trump insisted this was part of his election mandate. To repeal and replace this piece of legislation.
No matter that it brought affordable health care to much of the country, or that other presidents had tried and failed to provide a health care bill, Trump insisted the American public wanted this piece of legislation trashed.
Even after the House and Senate rejected his efforts numerous times, and his current push is to merely repeal without replacing in order to fund his Tax Bill, Trump continues to maintain that he has a mandate to repeal this bill. Last Tuesday, the citizens of Maine voted to expand the low cost health insurance program in their state.
Predators in the spotlight
A surprising number of women voted for Donald Trump in last year’s election in spite of derogatory, demeaning comments he had made regarding women during the campaign. But recent developments suggest that serial sexual predators will no longer enjoy the protection of their position or their employers.
In one local race, a male incumbent had posted on Twitter the day of the Women’s March on Washington, “Will the women be home in time to make dinner?” That remark so incensed one of his constituents that she ran against him and defeated him in Tuesday’s election.
And well documented complaints against Alabama senatorial candidate Roy Moore have brought on a landslide of public outcries from both parties that promise to end his political aspirations.
Fake News
Trump has come a long way by dismissing any unfavorable news about him as “Fake News.”
He has threatened to take licenses away from major broadcasters who do not treat him favorably, and to defund public broadcasters.
He has restricted attendance at press conferences to friendly news sources such as Fox and Breitbart.
These actions threaten to weaken the free press in this country which is one of the major guarantors of our governmental checks and balances.
But these attacks have resulted in increased self-policing by the news outlets and a more rigorous documentation of their reporting, so that when the news is reported, it is well documented.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is an American Territory. Its commerce is regulated and controlled by American legislation to the point where everything coming in or out must be transported on American flag ships staffed by American crews. This has made it so expensive to operate, that the territory is deeply in debt to the U.S.
But when the island was hit by a devastating hurricane earlier this year, Trump wanted to negotiate repayment of the debt before providing aid to the residents (all American citizens) of the island.
Americans on the mainland were so embarrassed/enraged by this action that they began donating money to help the islanders in spite of Trump’s antics.
All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing
Trump has set out to change this country into a country that meets his image of strength. He has not been able to implement these changes through the legislative process, but he has been able to implement many changes through executive power and implementation of the Bully Pulpit.
Tuesday’s elections suggest that there are strengths and determination within the general public which are beginning to manifest themselves.
Many who have been complacent and have enjoyed the fruits of many years of wisdom and political activism of their forebears are beginning to realize that we are at risk of losing those gifts we have taken for granted. And they are beginning to sit up and take notice and take action.
With Trump’s election, the pendulum swung to an extreme we have not seen before in this country. But, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction, and Tuesday’s election suggests that the general public is beginning to react in a strong way.
Trump’s effort to step in and make “America Great Again” is doing just that. He has awoken a sleeping giant who is about to show Trump and the world how great this country really is.
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John Skinner is a resident of Watsonville. His opinions are his own and not necessarily those of the Pajaronian.
