GREAT OR SECOND-RATE

I gave President Trump an “atta boy” for his swift response to the Syrian gassing. That’s the first and only time I’ve done so. The thing is that I’d like for this administration to be successful, but too many

of the decisions already made show too little regard for the good of the country and too much attention toward adding to the fortunes of the wealthy. I worry about what their formulated plan is.

At the State Department, multiple positions remain unfilled. Included are some that are vital to the smooth running of our diplomatic efforts around the world. The halls have been stripped of any photos of past speakers, a move that seems to be an attempt to purge history. Secretary Tillerson only recently stepped out of his office to travel to other countries, unlike past secretaries who spent much of their time meeting and bargaining with leaders of other countries, both friends and foes. Even worse, he refuses to allow even a small press pool to travel with him. Is that because he doesn’t want the American people to know what is going on or is it because he is hiding something?

The EPA is a shell of what it once was. I suppose that some of the regulations that have been imposed might be excessive. However, our planet is being irreparably damaged by man-made emissions and mishandling of the earth. Naysayers proclaim that the evidence of such destruction is questionable. In fact, the new leader of the agency, Scott Pruitt, carried on a crusade against the very organization that he now heads. He doubts scientific data about the effects of greenhouse gases on the environment. If this administration continues with such blind disregard to changing conditions, the president might rue those decisions when his Mar-a-Largo resort slowly sinks into the rising waters of the Atlantic. Of course, by then, any change of mind will be much too late.

The same problem exists at the Department of Education. Sure, plenty of problems are present in today’s educational system. However, appointing Betsy Devos to head the place is the same as sending the fox to guard the hen house. Devos makes no excuses for her dislike of public education. Neither she nor her children have attended such “terrible places” for schooling. She now pushes for charter schools funded by taxpayer dollars. That move will only take more money from public schools and plunge them into more problems. Maybe this administration doesn’t want the citizenry to be educated. An ignorant population allows itself to be ruled by dictators. Besides, the Trump crowd assumes that no education is necessary for individuals whose jobs are creating more wealth for them.

The in-fighting in the White House tells us much about the folks who have been elected to lead us. On one side is Jared Kushner and his merry band. He has been included in all-important areas of our government. At the same time, he still has a fortune from his family’s company from which he should have divested himself. He meets and deals with countries with whom his businesses have dealt. That sounds too much like a conflict of interest to my simple, middle-class mind.

On the other side are Steve Bannon, Steven Miller, and Kellyanne Conway. This radical bunch is determined to tear completely apart the government. In its place, they want a limited one that has little power to direct the country or

states. Bannon and his ilk also want a select few who think as they do to have free reign to do whatever necessary to reach their goals. This group of extremists seeks change through fear tactics and made-up stories. Less government means they can scheme and plot with little fear of reprisal.

Yes, I am hopeful that President Trump will realize what is best for the “entire” country, not just his small group of friends and associates. I would be willing to say that I’ve been wrong about him. The present facts, to the contrary, point to an administration that flies by the seat of its pants and has no direction. We will pick up the pieces of this destructive four years and hope to put America back together again. Whether America remains the same guiding light and leader is questionable. This might well be the beginning of the end for the greatness of our country. Our children will inherit a second-rate homeland that destroyed itself.