Published in “The Boca Raton Tribune” – on 01/23/2018 by Carlo Barbieri
It has been just about a year since Donald J. Trump took the oath of office as 45th President of the United States on Jan. 20, 2017. He took that solemn oath amid the cries of naysayers who said America would falter or fail under his leadership – or what they said would be a lack of it.
Instead, as we mark the first anniversary of the Trump administration, we see good all around. The stock market, job numbers and the general sense of pride and well-being are all up. Companies are handing out raises and bonuses instead of pink slips and closure notices. Firms that left America’s shores for what they thought would be greener pastures (that is, fewer taxes) are getting ready to return.
Last week, we started the New Year by recalling some of the President’s success stories. Many people were likely not aware there were so many since liberal media are loathe to report them and try desperately to find fault with Trump himself, those who serve with him or things he has done.
We will pick up on that line in just a moment. It’s just interesting to note that during the past week, the medical doctor who performed an extensive physical examination on Mr. Trump reported his findings to the media. The chief executive is somewhat overweight but is in fine shape.
Yet many in the media unsatisfied with a positive report prodded the doctor to give them some indication of failing health: Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, gross obesity, mental disorder, anything that might be grounds to impeach him or invoke the 25th amendment and declare him unfit for office.
Beyond that, why are people still taking to the streets demanding Trump’s removal when most of them are better off now than they were a year ago – and certainly enjoy a better life than they did under the previous presidential administration?
Last week, we touched on how Trump has improved the lives of citizens by lowering their taxes and pumping up the commercial/industrial sector by decreasing corporate taxes.
While the President continues to seek solutions to problems related to immigration – with bipartisan support, we implore – he has cracked down on troubles related to illegal immigration. Citing figures compiled by the White House, these include:
- Ending the Obama-era “catch and release” of illegal immigrants.
- Boosting the arrests of illegals inside the U.S.
- Removing 36 percent more criminal gang members than in fiscal 2016
- Laying down the law, literally, on some 300 sanctuary cities that defy ICE but still get federal dollars.
- Added about 100 new immigration judges.
In the area of accountability, Trump has:
- Nominated 73 federal judges and successfully appointed Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court.
- Ordered ethical standards, including a lobbying ban.
- Called for a comprehensive plan to reorganize the executive branch.
- Called for a full audit of the Pentagon and its spending.
Sticking to his promise to help veterans, Trump has completed a number of steps, including:
- Signing the Veterans Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act to allow senior officials in the Department of Veterans Affairs to fire failing employees and establish safeguards to protect whistleblowers.
- Signing the VA Choice and Quality Employment Act of 2017 to authorize $2.1 billion in additional funds for the Veterans Choice Program.
- Creating a VA hotline.
- Ordering the VA to launch an online “Access and Quality Tool,” providing veterans with a way to access wait time and quality of care data.
- With VA Secretary Dr. David Shulkin, announcing three initiatives to expand access to healthcare for veterans using telehealth technology.
He has promoted peace through strength by:
- Directing the rebuilding of the military and ordering a new national strategy and nuclear posture review.
- Increasing defense spending.
- Withdrawing from the U.N. Global Compact on Migration, which Trump saw as a threat to borders.
- Imposing a travel ban on nations that lack border and anti-terrorism security.
- Overseeing ISIS’s loss of virtually all its territory.
- Pushing for strong action against global outlaw North Korea and its development of nuclear weapons.
- Ordering new sanctions on the dictatorship in Venezuela
Trump has also watched over citizens by working with Central American nations to arrest and charge 4,000 MS-13 gang members. The President declared a nationwide public health emergency with opioids. Also, on National Drug Take Back Day, the Drug Enforcement Agency collected 456 tons of illegal substances.
In the areas of economics and national security, Trump is in the midst of healing this country’s true woes. He’s been facing nearly insurmountable opposition from every corner of Washington and the media. But he’s started something in motion that will ultimately prevail. He has turned the ship of state around.
And that’s a moral victory.
Part 2 of 2