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GUEST OPINION
I have been a conservative all my adult life. I believe government should minimize intrusion into our daily affairs.
The primary objectives of government should be to: 1. Resolve differences and maintain an orderly society, 2. provide national infrastructure, and 3. maintain adequate forces for our national defense. I believe in a free-market economy. Additionally, I believe in the rule of law and equality under that law. Given my life-long beliefs, I embrace many of President Trump’s basic tenets, however, I strongly disagree in the manner in which he is administering his policies. Shock and awe may be good battle tactics, but it is an awfully poor way to run a government.
Government is not a for-profit enterprise. Mr. Musk is out of his element.
The bottom line of all private business is profit. The board of directors and stock holders will support draconian personnel policies if necessary to insure a profit. Government, however, is by the people, for the people. Foreign aid and public assistance programs are not economically sound, but they are generally favored by the electorate. Allowing American companies to bribe foreign officials in order to secure contracts may be good business, but it is not the American Way.
We have allowed many of our allies one-sided tariffs since World War II. I agree with the President that it is time for change. That objective, however, could be achieved much quieter through diplomacy. Trump’s in-your-face methods create enemies. His threat of a 25% tax on Mexican and Canadian imports was promoted as a way to reduce fentanyl and illegal immigration. That may be believable for Mexico, but is utter nonsense for Canada. He made an enemy out of a friendly neighbor. Economics 101 will tell you that the only real reason to impose tariffs is to protect domestic industry, and that takes time.
If we put a high tariff on Chinese consumer goods, US companies may be able to gear up and be competitive in two or three years.
Many of President Trump’s executive orders are downright silly. Elimination of birth-right citizenship is blatantly unconstitutional and will not stand a court review. Renaming the Gulf Oof Mexico is stupid with no possible positive outcome. The offer to acquire Greenland makes no sense, and the veiled threat to take it by force made an enemy out of Denmark and much of Europe.
Lecturing sovereign nations on how to conduct their internal affairs is insulting and will not be forgotten. Sacrificing Ukraine to Russian aggression will only encourage more aggression. We don’t need more enemies. The President has decided to rule as a tyrant rather than as a diplomat. He appears to relish in the chaos he creates. He is confident in his ability to make deals, but as he continues to make enemies it will be more and more difficult to make deals.
FRANK WATSON IS A RETIRED AIR FORCE COLONEL AND LONG-TIME RESIDENT OF EASTERN WASHINGTON. HE HAS BEEN A FREE-LANCE COLUMNIST FOR OVER 20 YEARS.
