Dear Editor,
Today’s politics feels like a bad dream. The realm of policies, decisions, and controversies that seem to shift with alarming frequency. From legal battles to budget cuts, tariffs to environmental concerns and so much more. In all my 73 years I never remember waking up every day wanting to watch the news to see what the Commander-in-Chief has dreamed up for the day’s talking points and how it will affect democracy and the lives of my children and grandchildren.
Tariffs: The Administration imposed tariffs based on trade deficits, leading to increased consumer costs i.e., groceries, fuel, clothing, cars and so much more. On May 29, the US Court of International Trade deemed President Trump’s global tariffs illegal under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. However, a federal appeals court issued a stay pending further review, so tariffs continue. Meanwhile the world pays more at the registers.
Qatar Jet: Another exorbitant cost to taxpayers is the $400 million jet from Qatar. The Qatari people gifted a jet to President Trump, but it was re-designated as a gift to the U.S. Air Force due to emoluments clause concerns. In short it says that no government official can accept a gift from a foreign state without congress approval. It was then a gift to the US Airforce. Converting the jet into Airforce One will cost taxpayers a billion dollars. Unwrapping Qatar’s $400 Million Winged Gift to Trump – FactCheck.org
Environmental Policies: Environmental policies are contentious, particularly rollbacks of air and water quality regulations which raise sustainability and public health concerns. Air quality and pollution of water and air with PFA’s chemicals are among the highest concerns. Legal battles over these issues continue.
HHS: The changes Secretary Kennedy has made are daunting to say the least. I want to know why a lawyer with no medical degree is heading this agency. The cuts made to research, vaccine development, NIH, CDC, HIV Prevention, Cancer studies, Native American Health Programs and much more. The total reduction from the discretionary fund amounts to approximately thirty-two billion dollars. * Per Becker’s Hospital Review.
There is much more, but this is enough for today. It will all change by tomorrow.
It has only been 134 days (about 4 and a half months) since this regime took office. I need a trip to the forest so I can deal with the absurdities and quell the fear I am experiencing. Then I just might be able to process things better. Is it me or is this just exhausting?
Susan Stone
