45 & 35

After 35 days of the longest government shutdown in the history of the United States, the 45th President finally agreed to reopen the government. During those 35 days funding was cut for Homeland Security, the Coastguard, Federal Aviation Administration, Veterans Administration, FBI, the National Weather Service, TSA, and many more. As almost everyone reading this has previously heard, over 800,000 people went without pay for one month.

I’ve been mulling over what thoughts I wanted to share on this situation and others that have been in the headlines in recent weeks. That changed earlier today, however. Rather than just being another voice criticizing the President and his administration; I would instead prefer to try and gain understanding. What are the thoughts and opinions of those who support this President and what are they seeing that I’m not?

In my perspective I see a President who habitually lies, shows no sign of moral or ethical principles, encourages behavior and viewpoints that adversely impact minorities and those outside his base. There are currently seventeen separate investigations being conducted on Trump, his campaign, and organizations. In regards to collusion with Russia the story has changed numerous times over the course of the past two years. On Twitter, this President lambasts any and all that question or defy him. Even going so far as to mock those individuals. In regards to the border wall; during the campaign Donald Trump promised numerous times that the wall would be paid for by Mexico. Then from 2017 through 2018, while the GOP held the House and the Senate, no funding was ever approved for the border wall. In the middle of December 2018, during a televised meeting with Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi, Trump stated that he would be proud to shut down the government if funding for the border wall was not approved. Thirty five days later, after holding the citizens of the United States hostage, the President conceded to temporarily reopen the government until February 15. After that, Trump stated that he would once again shut down the government if funding for the wall was not approved. Absolutely nothing was gained for the President during the shutdown. President Trump has even stated that he may invoke emergency powers to pull funds from government organizations to pay for the wall. If this ends up being the case, it leaves a slippery slope for future Presidents to use the same tactic. For example, a President declaring climate change a national emergency. Using this tactic, if successful, will set a precedent. There is no scenario for funding this border wall that does not involve using taxpayer dollars to pay for it. The claim that Mexico will inadvertently pay for it through NAFTA is a farce. Even if there should be any savings on trade with Mexico, the government is not going to redistribute that money back to the taxpayers.

For those who may wish to see a list of sources for any claims thus far and henceforth, please view an ongoing post I’ve made: See for Yourself

Those are some of my thoughts on recent events. Now onto the insights I would be eager to hear from those in the other camp.

• Witch Hunt
  • Given every new revelation that has been brought to the public in regards to collusion with Russia; what items have not been satisfied to give one cause for maintaining innocence of President Trump?
    • By my estimations there are only two possibilities. 1) That Trump is guilty and is doing everything he can to cast doubt on every piece of information that states otherwise. 2) There is a massive conspiracy involving hundreds, if not thousands of individuals working to frame Trump of cooperating with a foreign power. All of whom that are far better at keeping a secret than anyone currently or previously in Trumps circle.
• Border Wall
  • During the campaign Donald Trump promised voters that a wall would be built to keep out illegal immigrants on the southern border. And, that Mexico would pay for the wall.
    • Is there any concern that taxpayer dollars would be used to pay for the wall?
    • If during the campaign Trump stated that he would spend tax revenue on the wall, would that have garnered the same support as claiming that Mexico would pay for it?
    • If a national emergency is declared and passes in court, to pull funding from military spending, or hurricane relief, or something else, is that something that supports would be ok with? What if a future President uses the same plan of action to declare a national emergency for climate change?
• Morality & Ethics
  • How can supporters make statements such as “Trump was appointed by god.” Or, “God bless our President.”
    • This is a person who was heard bragging about grabbing women by their genitals.
    • Cheated on his wife.
    • Made the remark that he preferred war heroes that weren’t captured (speaking of John McCain).
    • Mocked a gold star family.
    • Said there were “good people on both sides” during a white supremacist march.
    • Support Roy Moore who was accused of several counts of sexual misconduct.

To anyone who can help me understand your viewpoints in a constructive way, I look forward to hearing from you.