Our president has repeatedly quipped that “this is the golden age of America.” And for him it is. During this second term his net worth has increased by billions of dollars with some rather dubious insider dealings and business ventures. His vanity projects, which cost the taxpayers millions and millions of dollars, receive no push-back from Congress. (The military parade he threw for himself for his 79th birthday cost the taxpayers $45 million when all was said and done.) In fact other than his failing health and crumbling mind, I’m sure he feels invincible. He does what he wants. He bullies people with impunity. Tore down the East Wing and started building a ballroom. Took over the Kennedy Center. Started a war with Iran. Renamed bodies of water. Accuses people of crimes with no evidence. Had a gold coin minted with his image. (Despite long-standing laws against it.) Publicly adores dictators. On and on. And his simpering cabinet just heaps praise on him. I personally know people who still think he is the best president ever. And I just don’t get it. (He recently told a rally crowd in Tennessee that he could say the “stupidest things” and his supporters would still cheer and applaud. And they did!)
For me this “golden age” is more like seeing the flames of hell and I find myself grieving the future of my country. There is rampant corruption at every level along with the blatant, in-your-face racism, greed, misogyny, cruelty and injustice. Daily stories of horrendous words and deeds hit the air waves and social media channels and we no longer even blink at them. It’s become the usual fodder.
This administration gleefully chose to cut back much-needed social services, undermine public education, ignore our broken health care system (which many can no longer afford), cut services to veterans, reduce the number of food inspectors and EPA standards (and we are seeing how that’s turning out), disenfranchise voters and make voting much more difficult, haphazardly apply tariffs destroying US businesses in the process and raising prices, ignore prosecuting pedophiles, abolish initiatives to help with climate change, engage in a pointless (expensive) war…well, you get the idea.
And frankly, I believe many currently in positions of power in the U.S. do not care if folks are struggling financially–going without meals, medicine, gasoline or heat and are plunging into crippling credit card debt. I think some are happy about it because it means huge masses of people in our country will be more compliant, pre-occupied and powerless. They are happy to see us fighting amongst ourselves instead of focusing on who-the-F caused these problems. There is a widening gulf between the “haves” and the “have nots” and I believe it is intentional.
So yes I am grieving. And ashamed. I always considered the USA one of the good guys. A country of dreams and opportunities that was willing to help others. A land of immigrants thriving who were making our country strong and unique. I no longer see that. With this administration, we, as a country, cannot be trusted.
Still, there are some with courage and a moral compass who are in positions to make a difference and they are trying their best. And more everyday citizens are taking a stand–protesting, donating, writing to their representatives, going to town halls, making their voice heard, volunteering in food banks, helping immigrants–making a difference however they can.
I cannot predict the future but I’d like to believe that the U.S. will survive this. I’d like to believe we will be good again. That we will be back on the side of justice and humanity and be reunited with like-minded allies. That LGBTQ+ folks, women, people of color and those who celebrate non-Christian religions (or none at all) will not worry that they will be attacked or have their rights and opportunities chiseled away.
But right now I am grieving. And I do not say that lightly. I am grieving. And praying. Because all is not right with my country. Our country. And people are hurting.
Leave a Reply