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by G.A.
America is at a crossroads. Real, everyday American’s need to decide if they want Democracy, or Autocracy. Yes, over 76 million voters marked a ballot for Trump over the supremely more qualified Kamala Harris. But did they really want what is happening before our very eyes? The dismantling of the American Federal Government, and the enormous reductions-in-force (RIF) of Federal workers, which will soon bring the Government to a complete halt. Maybe even before the House Republicans allow the Government’s funding to run out on March 14.
What is going on today makes me think of “structure” and the need for organization. When things are well organized, routine, expected, then “uncertainty” is reduced. Nobody likes uncertainty, whether individuals (am I going to get that job?) or businesses (should I hire more people given the uncertainty?). Uncertainty is the true killer of economies, since the health of any economy is essentially the aggregated confidence of all the people in it.
In our own lives, we create routines and organization all the time, to help us feel like we have better control over our lives. For example, I get up 30 minutes earlier each morning so I can make my wife (and myself) espresso and cappuccino, so we can start our day with this ritual. I place things on my desk in a certain way, organizing them to feel more order as I go through my day. And I like to make sure all the dishes are done each night, so that when I come down to the kitchen in the morning, everything is clean and put away.
In the same way, American’s want their government to be orderly, organized, and structured to make sure it works for them. The US government is not perfect, and there are ways of improving it. But letting the DOGE bozo’s “smash and grab” individual departments in the government is no way to get organized and create more order and certainty. In fact, Elon Musk and his teenage minions are creating chaos, uncertainty, and disorder. Eventually the stock market, US foreign partners, and even enemies will realize that the USA cannot be counted upon to make careful, well-thought out, and considered decisions. Our enemies will use this to their advantage. Vladimir Putin is delighted with the new Trump “unprocess” and is already benefiting with the way Trump is giving away Ukraine. Our foreign partners like the UK, Germany, and France, will withdraw from including the US in future decisions, and will not count on the US to hold up its end with NATO and other longstanding agreements. And our own business leaders, who professed their allegiance to Trump during the election, will soon find that the damage to the government, the chaos being caused, and the reduced productivity due to less Federal workers, will create massive uncertainty and a deep recession. ALL business leaders need to see this train wreck coming, and start planning now.
What will this all mean for American’s, even the nearly half of the eligible voters that voted for Trump? It means layoffs from corporations and small businesses, less government services, less loans for business expansion, more strained relations with trading partners, and dramatically less certainty for their future. Will your daughter who is applying for college be able to get the student loan she needs? Will your adult son who has been working less than 5 years, keep his corporate job when the company downsizes? Will they both me moving into your basement soon? How about you? Will you keep your job? Will your grocery bills go up? Why would we think that “uncertainty” will help reduce costs like groceries? Food and distribution companies are dealing with the same uncertainty. They are delaying investments in innovations, and reducing their headcount now, as they prepare for the “Greatest Recession” coming soon.
Small routines, and daily practices we create help us stay organized and feel more in control, and help us create certainty. While government may seem dull and boring, that can be a good thing. We feel more confident knowing that people in the government continuously keep the machinery turning, helping protect our air, water, food, medicine, and banking system among many other areas. It’s time to force the new administration to put things back together, creating a working government we can all support. First, we have to survive the destruction. Then we can push for reforms at every level, and march in the streets to make sure we are heard.