In Dave Chrisman’s letter to WHT he states how liberals and progressives are terrified of Donald Trump being successful with regards to improving the American economy and stemming Islamic Jihad, therefore making Democrats an irrelevant political party. I couldn’t agree more with Mr. Chrisman that liberals are terrified, however, I would argue that he is wrong as to the source of their terror.
In Dave Chrisman’s letter to WHT he states how liberals and progressives are terrified of Donald Trump being successful with regards to improving the American economy and stemming Islamic Jihad, therefore making Democrats an irrelevant political party. I couldn’t agree more with Mr. Chrisman that liberals are terrified, however, I would argue that he is wrong as to the source of their terror.
If Mr. Trump’s pursuit of an isolationist economic policy, bringing manufacturing back to America and turning away from international markets, creates a new wave of high paying jobs and gets the economy humming to a new level, then good on him. I don’t believe this scares anyone. While this new economic policy would effectively mean the end for certain American companies that rely on selling inexpensive products that are produced overseas, and where much of poor and middle class America does their shopping, I don’t think this terrifies liberals or progressives. Indeed, if I need to pay a third more for everything from an iPhone, to a pair of shoes, to a new car, I am totally fine with that if it means leveling the playing field and getting more Americans an actual livable wage.
With regards to Trump bringing an end to Islamic Jihad around the globe, who would not celebrate that achievement, regardless of who was responsible? I think that Mr. Chrisman may be a little overly optimistic that Trump and “the rest of the world” can achieve this, seeing as the “rest of the world” has been alienated in a mere couple of months from the Trump administration’s policies and rhetoric, and essentially sees America now as both dangerous, and a laughing stock, but I suppose anything is possible. If Mr. Trump’s policies magically make global Islamic extremism go away, again, good on him. No. Mr. Chrisman, I can assure you, these things don’t terrify liberals, progressives, and moderates such as me.
What terrifies us is Mr. Trump denying the existence of climate change, gutting the EPA, and turning back 30 years of progress toward cleaner energy and creating a livable planet for the next 10 generations.
What terrifies us is Mr. Trump’s goal of de-funding Planned Parenthood, and countless other social services for the poor, where so many Americans rely on free or inexpensive reproductive health care, including myself many years ago.
What terrifies us is hard working families living in the US being broken apart because a human being with brown skin is unable to provide the proper documents, therefore gets him or herself shipped back to their country of origin.
What terrifies us is the roll back of regulations and oversight of big banks, put in place after the great recession of 2007 to hold giant financial institutions more accountable if they break the law or mislead consumers. Mr. Chrisman says “progressives” like it is a bad word, when in reality all progressives want is for large banks and corporations to play by the rules so the average working slob such as me does not have to flip the bill when they are dishonest and greedy.
What terrifies us is a brain drain occurring at major universities and companies throughout the US because if one is unfortunate enough to be born in a particular country and follow a certain religion, they are no longer welcome in our country. What a wonderful example this sets for the international community. If I may steal one of Mr. Trump’s favorite catch phrases, “Sad.”
What terrifies us is 20 million Americans losing their health insurance, or those with pre-existing life-threatening health issues being shut out of the insurance market altogether because their demographic is not profitable for the health insurance companies.
What terrifies us is Mr. Trump’s all out war on any American media organization that has the audacity to fact check him, or tell any story that is less than flattering toward him and his policies. This one is especially chilling for the average American as a free media, whether liberal or conservative, is obviously needed in any democracy. Strange, I did not hear any complaints from Mr. Trump when candidate Clinton was getting crucified by the media during her campaign.
Finally, what terrifies us most, quite frankly, is the president’s emotional stability or lack thereof. The fact that Trump is continually lashing out in all directions and bouncing around from one bizarre accusation to the next, whether it be massive voter fraud, liberals infiltrating Republican town hall meetings, or Mr. Obama wiretapping his phones, never offering any shred of proof to the public, is indeed quite terrifying.
This is the man responsible for my personal safety as a United States citizen?
Eric Garrett is a resident of Kailua-Kona