Trump’s attitude at today’s press conference really annoyed me. I cannot help having to respond.
I find Trump’s argument that he inherited a government poorly prepared to deal with the present crisis and the claim that he takes no responsible a poorly argued effort to craft disinformation that may seem reasonable to Trump loyalists. These personal vocal claims and the constant adulation of those who stand with him to address the American people should stop immediately. I would stipulate that no government could position itself to be prepared to handle a challenge (actually challenges if you include the financial crisis) of this magnitude. However, the blame game does not pass the smell test and the claims of no responsibility can easily be shown to be factually inadequate. Just let the experts make policy and let others take care of communicating with the public.
Some facts to consider:
- Whether adequate or not, the Trump administration dismissed staff with the responsibility of anticipating pandemics. For whatever reason this was done, possibly as a budget cutting measure, you do not respond to a condition of poor preparation by dismissing those responsible for whatever level of preparation and planning exists without some effort to offer a superior replacement. At least, don’t blame the situation on anyone else.
- When it was known that a new virus was rapidly spreading elsewhere and this virus was spreading within a population with no immunity, you don’t tell the concerned public that everything is under control and the known cases in this country will probably be down to zero in a few days. I can’t believe those with expertise would promote taking this position. The several weeks of ramping up to get ahead of the spread of the virus was not used to address shortages and create defenses that we now seem to be developing in an effort to catch up. How much was this delay an effort to not spook the stock market which seems to be the metric on which this President argues his worth?
- As far as the economic situation goes, that trillion+ in revenue the government should have taken in from corporations already enjoying a great economy would now be quite valuable. Yes, it did boost the stock market because so many corporations used the money to buy back stocks. Who benefited even when the market was up? However, the level of the stock market was largely offset by the rapid increase in federal debt. The process amounted to borrowing money from the American people (the debt). The debt is still there, but now the country must find a way to give money back to the same people saddled with this debt. Remember the government is us – we will borrow more money from the future to help now.
How many more examples are necessary? Who will take responsibility for these decisions? Remember when Hillary warned the nation that Trump lacked the leadership skills necessary in an actual crisis. We were lucky we got by with poor leadership for three years, but now we face a crisis of exactly the magnitude she was concerned about. I suppose supporters did not anticipate this type of crisis. Fair enough, but now it is here and we are stuck with a buffoon who assumes he is above criticism and who lacks the compassion required in this situation.