I previously posted a blog about a few positive changes that have happened thus far as a result of Trump being elected.
The US will no longer fund abortions for overseas NGOs. I’m happy about that.
But there are some other steps that he is taking that are pretty scary.
I’m not a fan of Trump, but I also don’t think he is the devil. I do not like the idea of either him or Clinton being in office, but here we are, with America’s decision made. I am definitely uneasy about our future.
First off, I know that I have a lot to learn about politics. But I really felt that even if Trump was elected, he would need the approval from Congress to enact major changes. Apparently, I was wrong. He just keeps signing executive actions. He is eliciting a great deal of fear in a huge portion of the American population.
The Mexican Border Wall
He continues to speak about his his plan to build the wall on the border of the U.S. and Mexico. One way he plans to do this is either taxing Mexico on its exports or taxing the U.S. on the imports. Basically, that leaves us with two scenarios.
- Higher taxes on Mexico – a country that already has a great deal of poverty
- Higher taxes on American consumers on products that they purchase from Mexico
One of my friends from high school is a zookeeper and she posted this article about how Trump’s wall threatens 111 endangered species. His tax hike will already pose problems, but depending on his plan for the actual wall itself, he could potentially wreak havoc on many species of animals that are already endangered.
Fighting ISIS
He wants a plan for fighting ISIS ready by the military in 30 days. He wants a “comprehensive plan to defeat ISIS” with no option for “accommodation or negotiation.”
I am not involved in the military, but it seems to me that 30 days might not be an adequate amount of time to plan a way to defeat a group that has been causing such chaos across so many different locations.
Refugee Ban
He has decided to ban refugees from certain countries from entering our country. Refugees from Syria, Iran, Iraq, Somalia,Yemen, Sudan, and Libya are blocked for 120 days. Syrians are blocked indefinitely. These are all countries that are predominantly Muslim.
He denies that this ban is anti-Muslim, but that is precisely what it seems to be.
Pope Francis recently said, “It’s hypocrisy to call yourself a Christian and chase away a refugee or someone seeking help, someone who is hungry or thirsty, toss out someone who is in need of my help.”
Refugees are not the problem in our country. Most refugees are people who are fleeing dangerous situations. They are trying to save their lives and the lives of their families.
Fortunately, a judge filed a lawsuit to block part of this plan. According to an article on Yahoo, “It argued that the order violates a 1965 law that banned discrimination in immigration based on national origin.”
The lawsuit “will stop officials from removing individuals with approved refugee applications, holders of valid visas and people from the affected countries who have been authorized to enter — pending completion of a hearing on the matter in court.”
Dakota Pipeline
He plans to authorize work to finish the Dakota Access Pipeline. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe relies on the area in which the pipeline needs to be finished for their water. The tribe is concerned that the pipeline is a “high risk that culturally and historically significant sites will be damaged or destroyed” and its fear for the safety of its drinking water supply, according to this article.
Torture
Trump has made it clear that he is not against the use of torture in certain circumstances. Thankfully, he said that he will let the Secretary of Defense, James Mattis, “override” him. Mattis opposes the reinstatement of torture because experts have found that it is not an effective way to get information out of our enemies.
Trump disagrees with the studies that had been performed, and finds that “it does work.” During his campaign, Trump mentioned reinstating waterboarding, among other, even worse forms of torture.
This is the exact reason why I felt so conflicted about the election in the first place. I could not vote for Clinton because of her drastic views that would perpetuate a culture of death. But I also could not vote for Trump with his crass, derogatory comments, and plans that in my mind do not honor the dignity of the human person.
I have confidence in the American people and hope that if enough people stand up against Trump for certain things like the pipeline or the refugee situation, maybe something will change.
Despite my faith in God, I feel hesitant about the future of our country. I pray that He will guide Trump to make decisions that will benefit the good of not only Americans, but those in other countries as well. I know and trust that He can do all things. I have faith that He is with us.
Peppermintfrost 