“What’s good for General Motors is good for America”
It’s time to change perspective. Take the view that America is an absolute meritocracy, designed to create opportunities for those who are capable and prepared to succeed. If this is the ultimate goal, to encourage achievement and advancement and remove any impediments, then the Trump Presidency is a success.
The Trump Presidency has removed restrictions on business increasing profits and decreasing responsibilities. This is certainly true when it comes to Scott Pruitt and his leadership of the EPA, where everything from coal mining restrictions to automobile emissions standards have been reduced. The Trump FCC has allowed for greater monetization of the internet, with the abandonment of net neutrality.
And, of course, the Trump Administration and the Republican Congress have greatly increased the amount of capital available for investment and profit, by reducing the corporate income tax, and by increasing the amount of capital that can be protected by the wealthy from taxation. This, according to them, has created a “booming” economy that we can see today, with less than four percent unemployment and increased business expansion. President Obama had nothing to do with this.
The President and his family are a great example of government getting out of the way of commercial success. From the Trump Hotel in Washington, to the $500 million Chinese investment in the Singapore project (part of which is Trump branded) to 666 Fifth Avenue, the Trump family has monetized the office of the Presidency and found ways to profit their businesses. Even Michael Cohen, the President’s personal attorney, as well as several other former Trump campaign operatives, have found ways to make millions of dollars peddling influence.
And, like a CEO of any company, the President has full authority of “his company,” our country. This Constitutional theory that scholars like Alan Dershowitz has promulgated of a “unitary Presidency,” places the President in full and total control of EVERY department in the executive branch, including making decisions, hiring, firing, and policy. The current discussion of “norms” as the President deals with the Justice Department investigation into his Presidency, fails when compared to the absolute power of the Presidency itself over executive agencies. The only check on the President: Congress through lawmaking authority and impeachment/conviction.
So should the President decide the Mueller Investigation is over, he should fire Mueller and Rosenstein. If that is unjust, then it is up to the people’s representatives, Congress, to provide the remedy. The concept that the President can’t control his own Justice Department is invalid under the “unitary President” principle.
Of course, the Constitution guarantees that the President is ultimately responsible for illegal acts that he may commit. But, constitutionally it’s impeachment and conviction, or wait for the end of his term. “Justice delayed is justice denied” is a Constitutional precept, but it is overridden by the Article II Executive privilege clause.
And for those who are concerned that the President could lead us into war, Congress has essentially given authority for war-making to the executive branch, through a series of laws. The last, passed after 9-11, allows the President to prosecute wars against terrorists and terrorism all over the world. So as long as the President declares Iran or North Korea terrorist countries, he can wage war there.
So, from that perspective, all is right in the world.
As long as your not worried about the environment in the next twenty years; or, about the subverting of our democratic elections by foreign governments, or about the President benefitting financially from the Presidency, or whether we will end up at war with Iran or North Korea or both.
As long as your concern doesn’t include health care, or those who are less fortunate, or who by education, immigration status, race, gender identity, or other differences are denied the opportunity to participate in the meritocracy.
And, as long as you don’t like illegal immigrants, or polar bears.
Don’t worry – what’s good for Trump is good for America.
this is essay number 201!!!
Though dismal facts, thank you for this summary.