In observing the new administration over the last four weeks, things are moving fast. “Fast in compared to what?” you might ask. Well, think of how long it takes to change in most organizations. Think about the neighborhood that explores the possibility of what to do with streets that need to be repaved. A committee would be formed, you need to obtain estimates, an open forum might be scheduled for a discussion, proposals, votes the plan and then it could be a year or more in the works. Or think about a school board or department of a school considering changing textbook manufacturers. Or think about a major company making changes or adding locations. Or, think about managing the health care system when you need surgery. You have a problem, you get it checked out, the doctor prescribes tests, you may need to get approval from your insurance company for the test, then get the test scheduled, then have the test, have the results read, then get a prescription of treatment for the problem. In many instances, change takes time. However, in the world of business, change and time can mean money in terms of lost or increase revenue. Change can mean staying competitive. If you come up with a solution to a problem and can implement it soon, it can mean success, dollars and consumers getting the product they need.
I saw an interview within the last couple of weeks with someone who works with Elon Musk and he described how Elon problem solves with his companies. There must be more to this, but here was the summation of what I heard. He told how Elon meet with each one of his companies weekly and ask for the biggest problem of that week as well as what are the finances. There are discussions and as quickly as possible that problem is solved. He does this with each one of his companies every week, so every year 52 of the biggest problems are solved, and the bottom line is evaluated. When our youngest son was in middle or high school I don’t remember which, read a great deal about Elon Musk and he would tell me stories of how he would live in the factory where the cars were made when he was designing the Tesla going over and over each problem to solve it. That’s what it takes to make a successful company, someone willing to examine frequently, the problem at hand and what the finances are...
Not being a lawyer, an expert in public policy, foreign policy, economics, or any of the issues at hand currently, but a long time student of history, consumer and reader of current events and what’s going on in the world, with an interest of world events, I’ll admit that I don’t know the right way to solve any of the problems our world is dealing with, but I do have common sense so that is where my comments come from, strictly, full disclosure. So, “that is my resume’.”
I have held off from posting an essay about the new administration’s performance, wanting to give them time get wheels in motion. As many have commented, it’s a lot and they are moving fast. Of course, there is opposition from the some of the opposing side and those who are no fan of Donald Trump. There is absolutely nothing wrong with taking a look at the changes happening and it is fair to question if the changes are good or bad for the American people, keeping in mind that the American people voted and this is the administration that won both the popular vote and the electoral college. The President is the executive branch of the United States government as stated in the Constitution and he has the right to govern and select his team of people to help him carry out the agenda that he campaigned on. President Trump’s agenda was clearly communicated throughout the run for office and a second term. Former President Joe Biden had an opportunity to select his cabinet and administration and he put forward the objectives that he ran on. There were plenty of people who were opposed to Biden’s policies, but he had the right to run the show, he was declared the winner, earning the votes of nearly a whopping 81 million Americans. President Joe Biden took many liberties from day one, signing in to executive order the policies HE wished to, as it was his right. Interestingly, later into his term, June of 2023, Biden even ignored a decision the Supreme Court when it came to the student-loan forgiveness program.
To be a spectator this last month has been fascinating, and has made for It has been fascinating and downright good television to see the Trump agenda start to play out and what the other side is opposing…
1. Closing the border. It IS illegal to come to the U.S. without proper paperwork and protocol. Millions of immigrants have come here legally over our nearly 250 year history. We are a nation of immigrants and America has thrived because of the work ethic and talents immigrants have brought, not to mention the taxes they have paid. America has always been an open door to immigrants, if they are willing to come through the border the proper way. Many of these flooding the border are men of military age and children. Some of those who have come across, paid cartels their life savings and once here, have become basically indentured servants. Numerous children (and possibly women) brought across are missing. It is suspected that some of these children could have been trafficked or taken to work in sweatshops. Donald Trump’s administration has made these missing children a top priority, as no human being deserves to be treated with such disrespect. A closed border discourages this activity, and does not give the cartels a way to funnel these individuals in and take advantage of them. Also in the mix of undocumented illegals coming across the border are bad some characters like terrorists, gang members and criminals who cause trouble when they get there and just think of the criminality that possibly happens along the path to get here. Why do these people want to come across the border illegally? If they are honest decent people, why won’t they come through the correct way? The American people deserved to know who is coming here. Of course, everyone coming across is not a criminal. Those bad actors coming across the border illegally, put those non-bad actors in jeopardy as well as innocent Americans. Just ask the parents and family members of those killed or harmed by illegals how they feel. The cartel have also brought illegal and dangerous drugs across the border. This has caused thousands of deaths in our country. When people break the law, there are consequences. If you shop lift, drive under the influence of alcohol or break any other law, you risk being fined or end up with jail/prison time, depending on the laws you have broken. If you go to jail, you will be separated from your family. Same with illegal immigrants who break the law by coming here and not abiding by the protocol of the United States for legal immigration. For governors and mayors to interfere with ICE agents making arrests or for others to publish the addresses of ICE agents is against the law too. There should be and most likely will be consequences for those individuals.
An over abundance of immigration unchecked has left Ireland with problems from homelessness to an over burdened government dole.
I don’t understand the problem with making a stand on the border. Take a look at what has happened in Great Britain, Ireland, Sweden, Germany and France. Out of control immigration has changed the social fabric of these European societies. I recently read a report that the three major cities in England, London, Manchester and Birmingham all have greater percentages of immigrants compared to natural born citizens residing within their limits. This week, I saw a video of a public dole line (a line from a welfare office) in Dublin made up completely of minority men. So the hardworking people of Ireland are paying taxes to support abled bodied men who didn’t pay into the system. Over the last week, Muslim activists decided to hold a rally atop London Bridge. Their are plenty of mosques all over London, there was no need to for such a demonstration. Most likely, you have seen reports of activist immigrant demonstrations in Paris, Marseilles and in cities in Germany. For immigrants to want a better life is nothing new. Most immigrants in the past, came for an opportunity to work for a better life for their children and usually assimilated into the western society they immigrated to. We all know of plenty of immigrants who have entered legally, who have come from around the world, just wanting a better life they are willing to work for and they bring customs and heritage, yet want to be part of the American Dream and ways of life. These immigrants are NOT the problem. Very recently, I read about activists Muslim men demonstrating in the streets of Hamburg for sharia law in Germany. Western culture does not need sharia law. These people should head back to their country of origin or should be sent back. A porous border welcomes crime, drugs and others troubles when unvetted people are allowed to freely come across. An over abundance of illegals also stresses the resources of a country, making it harder to take care of their own cities, especially the veterans and elderly who have well paid into a system with their employment and through taxes.To secure the border seems like a no brainer…
2. Opening up the ‘books’ and seeing where the money is going, to get rid of government waste, seems like a good idea. It’s hard to see the argument against this portion of President Trump’s agenda, in hiring Elon Musk to head up D.O.G.E. which has goal of handing back the government to the American people, and out of the hands of the unelected bureaucracy. Musk has reported that it has been since the 1950s since Social Security has had an audit (It’s time!). Many companies hired an outside independent agency/accounting firm to audit or go through their expenses to see where cuts could be made. Even past Presidents like Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and vice-president Al Gore have made this issue a part of their administration. Certain members of Congress and the Senate have made notice of some of the Pork Belly spending over the years. Elon Musk has a stellar and impressive resume’ when it comes to running successful companies. What’s the problem with seeing where our taxes are going? The only people who may find objection with this are probably people who are on the receiving end of these give away programs, are employed by them or people who have something to hide. Period. Oh, or people who just are not fans of Donald Trump or Elon Musk and they are just not going to be happy with anything in the plan of the administration, even if it is good for America. As we begin to see where our hard earned money is going, it’s somewhat appalling and the reveal is just starting; Sesame Street in Iraq, condom for the Gaza Strip, Ukrainian models to attend fashion week, a transgender play in Ireland, DEI programs in Serbia, paying social security for millions of people who are either dead or past the age of 130 years old, just to name a few. To stop wasteful spending to help pay down the deficit and avoid the country going bankrupt seems like a no brainer…
3. To get men out of participating in women’s sports means that women can play on a level playing field, dress/shower in locker rooms with only women and compete with only biological women. This gives young women a fair opportunity to compete for college scholarships with other young women. What’s the problem there? This too seems like a no brainer…
4. What’s wrong with getting rid of D.E.I. and hiring the most qualified people for positions? To make merit the basis for hiring and advancement should be a top priority across the board. A society that lowers the standards for some, basically lowers the quality of life for all. Who do you want performing surgery on you, the person who checked the box, or the person well skilled a qualified for the job. DEI is an insult to every woman or minority who busted their ass for a top spot in a competitive college, career or job, leaving people to ask, “did they get in because they were_________. “. I have women friends who worked hard to get into law and medical schools and it’s not fair for them to be in question as to why they got in. They EARNED IT! It also dumbs down our society, with less qualified workers, craftsmen/women, professionals and medical personnel. No one wins when the standards are dropped.
Also, what’s wrong with the cabinet and top government officials being successful people in their field? In looking at President Trump’s Cabinet, assembled this week for the first meeting of this administration, these individual are all the top in their field. No checking boxes here. Read the résumé’s of these people. Many of these cabinet members and top officials are not taking a salary. If you’re having surgery, most people look for the best doctor in the field you need surgery in. Same with lawyers. If you have a problem, you WANT the best lawyer to help you. Why anyone would criticize or not want these very experienced and successful people to run the country and solve the problems at hand is really hard to understand. Many very successful people in the private sector have shied away from going into government because of the corruption and not wanting to take on the Washington establishment raking then and their families over the coals. Look what established Washington, both republicans and democrats, have put outsiders through. Now we see why the old guard has fought hard against the outsiders coming in, when the curtain has been pulled back on the money and corruption. They don’t want their mill of money and privilege broken up. For a non typical politician to be a President is nothing new either. Andrew Jackson, a fiery, ‘speak your mind’ type of man held the office, with no formal college education. Seems like a no brainer to want the best and brightest running the country and giving back of the talents they have to serve the country…
5. America was not meant to be run by an unelected fourth branch of bureaucracy. This is NOT a democrat or republican issue either. Interestingly, both Richard Nixon (a republican) and John F. Kennedy (a democrat) back in the late fifties were likeminded as young senators in their tenure and thoughts, that a powerful layer of unchecked government bureaucrats was dangerous for a democracy. Getting rid of a corrupt bureaucracy is nothing new. An unchecked, out of control bureaucracy, has no place in a democracy. In fact, it looks more like a politburo in a communist country. This unchecked bureaucracy allowed the government to grow way beyond the needs of the American people and in some cases, even beyond our own borders and in severe need of pruning by D.O.D.G.E. It has been discovered that funding was even given to charities and organizations that helped fund the hoards of illegals coming across the boarder. To cut unnecessary bureaucracy seems like a no brainer…
6. To look out for America’s best interest means that our country stops getting taking advantage of. Take the Ukraine and Russia war. No war is a good war. Whether it was a good thing or not to fund the war, the people of Ukraine, deserve to have help end this very destructive war. To think of how many young Russian and Ukrainian had lost their lives and the parents who have lost sons is a very horrible thought. Someone needs to broker a deal to end this. No one else has stepped up. The United States has given so much money. Part of a deal SHOULD give the US something. To negotiate minerals in the deal would give us something for our money. We can’t just fund the entire world at our expense, anyone who thinks otherwise is thinking nonsense. Why would we just give money away without conditions? That money is from the taxes of hard working Americans. Likewise, in looking at the Trump administration’s suggestion to improve Gaza, might be too large of an undertaking with numerous moving parts and countries involved, it is a place to start though, to bring some physical stability in the future to the Palestinian region. When the President put it on the table, the idea was mocked by some calling it ethnic cleansing. Realistically, the Middle East has always been a volatile part of the world with many deep felt historical wounds. For many of these areas, there is not much opportunity. A rebuilding project in the Middle East could mean jobs and opportunity. Bringing an industry of technology to the area could give young men a means to earn a living and not be enticed to get involved with criminal or terrorist activity. A building boom could also bring opportunity and jobs for women as well, which in turn, jobs and opportunities means choices for people whom may have had little choices in their lives before. Neither one of these international project or proposals is perfect or a fix all, yet something needs to be done to bring some stability to these current hot spots overseas. It’s a no brainer whether these are the perfect options, maybe these plans will get the ball rolling to solve the respective problems. Those who live in these areas need some stability and safety so that they can raise their families and live their lives in peace…
It’s only been a month and so much is in the works; hostages released, policies changing, wasteful spending being addressed, there’s a new sheriff in town. This new administration is setting a new standard as to what is possible from the get go. Transparency is possible and seems to be a point near the top of the list. It’s our country, we fund it and these people work for us (they have forgotten than!). We should get our money’s worth. All of the problems our country is facing are not necessarily all the fault of the Biden administration but they are the result of decades of passing the buck and kicking the can. It’s also not strictly a democrat or republican problem. Any politician or civil servant is only as good as what he/she does for the people they represent. Dan Bongino, who was recently named Deputy FBI Director, once referred politicians as tools. They are only as good as what they can do for us (I’m paraphrasing here but this was the idea). President Trump is no doubt working around the clock, checking things off the list of promises made during a campaign. Those never-trumpers will never be happy. They are entitled to their thoughts and opinions but they don’t seem to be able to be objective about this administration will do. For them, well, what is YOUR solution and what is YOUR resume’? Those who are willing to look at the problems at hand and take a listen to the strategies being applied to solve the problems, hats off to you. And, hats off to those who can look objectively and not let the politics ruin their friendships and other relationships. When our President and his administrations succeed, we all succeed. Seems like a no brainer to me and maybe even lead to a few great days 🇺🇸
