ELECTION REFLECTION

Donald J. Trump has been elected the 45^th President of the United States.  Was his victory due to the polls, pundits, prognosticators or that he tapped into the angst many feel about being forgotten by Washington?  Who could blame them?

Senate Leader Mitch McConnell (Republican) said in late 2010 “Our top political priority over the next two years should be to deny President Obama a second term.”  Too late to stop the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 or the Affordable Care Act (2010), but early enough to block any other Obama initiative.  Those feeling the angst weren’t forgotten – they were downright abandoned!

President Elect Trump made a good number of promises and walked back some during his campaign.  Will his tax cuts and program expansions, i.e. the military, be subjected to the same requirement that they be paid for by offsetting program cuts or will they grow the deficit a la the Reagan tax cuts?

Democratic House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and incoming Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer will not likely support every Trump initiative but they won’t likely fight every one either.  I believe and hope they will support initiatives that are good for America and her people!  Pelosi has already indicated support for an infrastructure program (I assume provided it doesn’t include the “Wall”). 

“Good” is the operative and subjective word.  Political parties generally have the same goals but different approaches to achieving them.  Tax cuts or increased spending to grow a stagnant economy?  Help for the struggling or empowerment?  Fewer or increased regulations?  Critical choices all.

Regardless, we should all insist that the Washington “elite” work together to address the many issues this nation faces.  Their success will be our success!  Or will the masses be abandoned again?

Pete Stenson

East Greenbush