President Trump's Speech Before Congress

I received and replied to a survey request from the White House prior to President Trump's February speech to the joint session of the Congress.

Here is what I emphasized:

~~~ I am happy that the Defense Department has been tasked with planning the defeat of ISIS.

~~~ I am happy with the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to serve on the Supreme Court.

~~~ I want the new administration to focus on the Budget, Taxes, National Security and the fight against ISIS, Domestic Security and Crime, Education, Immigration Reform, and Veterans.

Asked for my own ideas for making America great again, I listed the following:

1. National unity should replace posturing and bickering.

2. Lay off the media for awhile and concentrate on needed legislation.

3. Appeal for support from all legal immigrants and America's women.

4. Ditch "Red States" and "Blue States" in favor of "United States".

5. Plan to eliminate deficit spending and balance the budget.

Asked for any Additional Comments, I replied:

"You have our (Mr. & Mrs.) support, but we are wary of coddling to Russian interests in the Baltic States and the Ukraine. Get solid, experienced ambassadors in place, and listen to Secretary of State Tillerson and your intelligence and foreign policy experts who have devoted their lives to serving this nation."

What I heard in the speech:

I heard a message for unity and strength...a renewal of the American Spirit, and concern for the fates of our children; concern also for our wide open borders with drugs pouring in, together with concern for America's neglected and crumbling infrastructure in need of repair, if not expansion, with new roads, bridges, tunnels, airports and railways

I heard a promise that veterans will get the care they so desperately need, while our inner cities will no longer be neglected.

I learned that additional corporations have agreed to invest billions of dollars in the United States that will create tens of thousands of new American jobs, while a leaner more efficient federal government will come from a hiring freeze on non-military and non-essential federal workers

I learned that with the help of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, America has formed a joint council that will help ensure that women entrepreneurs have access to the networks, markets and capital they need to start businesses and live out their financial dreams.

In response to my shared concerns about crime, a task force on reducing violent crime has been established, coupled with an effort to dismantle the criminal cartels that have spread across the U. S. in order to break cyclea of violence.

Measures for improved immigration enforcement and improved border security, as well as to
protect America from Radical Islamic Terrorism were mentioned along with improved vetting procedures,

I was told that America will continue to work with our allies while strongly supporting those in NATO which therefor means protecting the territorial integrity of the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

President Trump also appealed for Congress to "work past the differences of party" to restart the engines of the American economy by joining him in a one trillion dollar national rebuilding.
of our infrastructure to be coupled with tax reform and massive tax relief for the middle class.

He promised to negotiate free and fair trade deals while urging that we adopt the slogan of Americans first while we "buy American, and hire American." He repeated that "America must put its own citizens first."

President Trump urged the Congress to provide "better healthcare" while making sure no one is left out and to work together for the good of our country, and for the good of the American people by making childcare accessible and affordable, ensuring new parents have paid family leave, by investing in women's health, and promoting clean air and clear water.

He called on Cngress to cooperate on behalf of every American child, and called improved education "the civil rights issue of our time."

President Trump described the goal of a world of harmony and stability, rather than the present one of war and conflict...a better world...during a new chapter of] American Greatness, and asked that God might bless "these United States."

Given my support and concerns, was I satisfied by what I heard?

I had commented on these subjects in responding to the White House survey:

defeat of isis

I FELT THE GOAL OF DEFEATING ISIS WAS ADEQUATELY COVERED.

the Gorsuch nomination

i heard the president's request that Judge Gorsuch be confirmed.

the Budget

President Trump mentioned his budget, but without many specifics, nor any promise that it would be balanced.

Taxes

tax relief for america's businesses and the middle class were promised, again without specific detail.

National Security

President Trump pointed out that the nation's security is a solemn duty he and congress share.

Crime

President Trump adequately emphasized his intention to see America's laws enforced and gave his stated appreciation to America's police, sherrifs, and law enforcement personnel..

Education

designating education as the civil rights issue of today while giving emphasis to the best interests of America's children gave prominence to president trump's commitment to education. President Trump also urged greater flexibility for parents to be allowed and assisted to choose the best schools for their children.

Immigration Reform

just as in his first 40 days in office, the speech indicated that fair immigration reform and enforcement remain a priority for president trump.

Veterans

several times during his speech president trump made clear that his budget will provide for our nation's veterans and provide for meeting their "desperately needed care."

national unity

president trump made numerous appeals for national unity and working together for the good of the country and its people.

laying off the media

in contrast to his repeated negative comments about america's media, he did not speak of the media in his speech to congress, but he did speak about legislation being prepared to submit on key topics and concerns he addressed in his speech.

ambassadors and experts

while president trump still waits for key members of his cabinet and judge gorsuch to be confirmed, the assigning of ambassadors to posts other than the united nations does not appear to be a priority concern. it does appear that intelligence officials are getting a better hearing based solely on the content of the president's speech.

What I have heard since the speech was given:

I listened to the PBS panel's discussion following President Trump's speech. At times I wondered whether or not several of the panelists had been so busy taking notes during the speech that they missed hearing parts of the speech.

I listened to commentators'remarks the following day and it seemed they most frequently faulted the president for " a speech lacking in specifics." I grant that there were missing specifics, but the purpose for the speech was to lay the groundwork for what follows.

President Trump was not using the speech to submit specific pieces of legislation. Those will follow. Yet the charge that the speech was "lacking specifics" is an easy charge to make, whereas it would be better to make comments as to why some proposals and goals the president expressed are unacceptable to his critics.

Time will tell whether or not Congress and the president can counsel together to enact some of the needed programs he will be submitting to Congress for their approval, and what final bills Congress will be submitting to the president for his approval.

At that point we will all begin to learn whether or not the theme of unity and cooperation becomes realized or not, and what quality of leadership the new Congress, the new president, and the American people will have going forward in the months that will now follow President Trump's February 2017 speech.

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© 2017 Demas W. Jasper All rights reserved.