To The Reader’s Forum:

As I write we are six months into the Trump presidency and for Trump, and the one-third of voters who still provide him unwavering support, his actions continue to represent his promised method of governing – disruption of the status-quo. For that I give him credit as a man of his word. On the other hand, his method has not, yet anyway, produced the legislative results he promised the working and middle class voters during his campaign. His method has also caused self-inflicted political wounds primarily related to the “Russia” investigation into the 2016 election.

I can understand his supporters looking past the “alternative facts”, if not outright lies, as well as his “tweets” that both contradict his subordinates’ words and add fuel to his political problems; after all, similar behavior was overlooked during the campaign. However, I don’t understand the complacency over the failed attempts at immigration changes (a vetting ban, walls), replacing the Affordable Care Act with something “unbelievable”, tax changes benefiting workers and the middle class, and infrastructure improvements to name a few of the “America First” proposals.

Perhaps the problem is found in the slogan “Make America Great Again”, with the operative word being “again”. It hearkens to a return to sometime and somethings from the nation’s past that, if they came to fruition would give America a better future. Here’s one reason that the slogan of Trump’s vision is flawed. A return to mining and burning of coal, “clean” or otherwise, is old technology and more expensive than natural gas or wind power, and would take America backwards. I’ve said this previously – just look at Jamestown’s failed attempt to bring “clean” coal technology to town.

Another analogy might be made from the time I began working at Social Security in 1973 when the only computer was found in our Baltimore, MD headquarters and that fact that now all work is done on computers. It would be impossible to gain productivity and reduce costs by a return to “paper” operations.

I know there is no requirement or timetable for Trump to fulfill his “promises” to his voters — in fact, they might never come. Similarly, the same can be said for Congress. However, again, I simply don’t understand the lack of urgency to change “disaster” policies or implement new policies to “win” — whatever “winning” means. Maybe if Trump drops the word “again”, there’s a chance for continued greatness.

Paul L. Demler

Jamestown