Abraham Lincoln concluded his second inaugural speech thusly: ‘With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds.”
If President Trump, and those seeded throughout his administration, would take to heart what Lincoln said — in this inaugural speech and many others — our country would be on a far better course.
The tax plan that found only Republican favor in Congress this week probably doesn’t portend as dire results as those on the left would have us believe, nor is it the panacea Trump and his supporters claim it to be.
AT&T on the quick announced $1,000 bonuses for 200,000 employees and said it would invest mightily on infrastructure.
But, corporations have no conscience. The tidbit AT&T and several others megacorps tossed out are minuscule compared to what they will reap. Altogether, the AT&T bonuses likely aren’t as much as what its high-level executives are paid each year.
Trickle-down economics has not been found to massage economic development — Kansas, of course, is a notable example — and there is little reason to think that Trump’s “victory” will be any different.
At first blush many taxpayers apparently will benefit, but as with all things of such magnitude, long-term results are the real test.
The second embarrassment of the week was the United Nations vote against Trump’s decision to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Already it has had violent consequences.
Thursday, 128 members of the UN General Assembly condemned the decision. Only Israel, the U.S. and a handful of small nations opposed the resolution.
Trump’s response? The U.S. is taking names and won’t forget.
How childish.
All voted as they did because it is a given U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital only will lead to violence and drive a spike through the heart of efforts to bring about peace with Palestine.
THIS MISSIVE may be a bit harsh for the Christmas season. But at this time of year we should remember it is the birth of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, we celebrate.
