By Vernon A. Williams, Gary Crusader
The bad part about it is, you already know the truth. You don’t need any meticulous examination of data or rationale through scholarly discourse. The primary rubric applicable consists of common sense, history, competence and outcomes.
Using that reasoned thought process, no one who is objective could conclude anything but the fact that the first three months plus of the new administration has been an unmitigated disaster. Period. No analytics required – just humane instincts and a sense of dignity.
For those of you from the “Missouri State Mentality” that still require being shown the obvious, consider the 10 bills that the Donald PROMISED in October 2016 that he would deliver within the first 100 days of his presidency if elected.
They are: (1) Middle Class Tax Relief Act, (2) End the Offshoring Act, (3) American Energy and Infrastructure Act, (4) School Choice and Education Act, (5) Repeal/Replace Obamacare Act, (6) Affordable Childcare/Eldercare Act, (7) Illegal Immigration Act, (8) Restoring Community Safety Act, (9) Restoring National Security Act, and (10) Clean Up Corruption in Washington Act.
How many of these measures were achieved during the designated period? Zero. Only one advanced significantly and that is the embarrassingly ill-fated move to repeal and replace Obamacare. Federal courts rebuffed changes in immigration laws sought through executive action – creating a pathetic aside of a faltering presidency.
Reality withstanding, amid the chaos and disruption that define the Donald’s first 100 days in the Oval Office, three glaring contradictions loom.
The first is, while no modern president has accomplished so little in the opening months of their time in office, few have had more of an impact during that short time frame – albeit negative, confusing, frightening and disruptive.
His legislative agenda is stalled; his foreign-policy evolutions have brought more tensions, not fewer; and his travel ban along with the “border wall” have been effectively blocked by other branches of government.
The second contradiction is that as poorly as the new president is performing, there is a conspicuous lack of emergence of alternatives from opposing Democrats. There is no effective progress in seizing the moment to articulate more plausible options, or clearly present strategies to strengthen their base approaching the 2018 and 2020 elections.
Democrats seem to be satisfied watching the self-inflicted wounds of the incumbent fester rather than exploit the gaffes and ineffectiveness of 45.
Third and lastly, while the Donald has clearly failed to deliver on most of the cornerstone commitments of his candidacy, the survey says that 96 percent of those who boosted his unlikely ascent said they don’t regret supporting him and would do it again.
Only 42 percent of Americans approve the job the Donald has done. His 35 percent approval rating is the lowest ever for an incoming chief executive during this which is usually the so-called “Honeymoon Period.” Normally, the approval rating for an incoming chief executive is right at 68 to 70 percent.
How does 45 manage to remain relevant doing so little regarding campaign pledges? Simple. His “base” won’t budge. Why? Because people are fascinated with the thought of some brash, maverick outsider coming in to give hell to traditional politicians to kick the crooked status quo straight.
Despite being virtually powerless in government, the Donald pales in comparison to polls that reveal that 67 percent of Americans think Democrats are “out of touch” with the will of the people. Ironically, that poll said a smaller number of Republicans have lost contact at 62 percent and are out of touch and at 58 percent, Trump fares even better.
Those polls say that if the election were held again today – even with new knowledge about the sporadic behavior of 45, incendiary international rhetoric and the Russian influence – an amazing 43 percent of respondents report that they would still vote for the Donald over Hillary Clinton, whose support was only 40 percent.
Of course, Hillary won’t run again and whoever challenges the GOP candidate next won’t likely have such baggage, but it is amazing to see how formidable the Donald remains after horrendous blunders that would have unraveled any specter of legitimacy for his predecessor.
For his first grading period, it as though the teacher’s pet flunked all his tests and assignments but still managed to get an “A” out of the class. Go figure.
CIRCLE CITY CONNECTION by Vernon A. Williams is a series of essays on myriad topics that include social issues, human interest, entertainment and profiles of difference-makers who are forging change in a constantly evolving society. Williams is a 40-year veteran journalist based in Indianapolis, IN – commonly referred to as The Circle City. Send comments or questions to: [email protected].