TRUMP: Rules of engagement

As Chair of the Kootenai County Democrats, I have waited to make a public statement about our new president, at least, until he has taken office. Now he has.

First of all, in contrast to the Republicans’ reaction when Barack Obama took office, I do not call on Democrats to make sure Trump is a one-term president. I echo what other prominent Democrats have said and that is we will support him when we agree with him and oppose him when we disagree with him. If Mr. Trump is truly successful in improving the lives of working class Americans, he may indeed deserve re-election.

I hope that the silver lining of this new administration will be that Congress, the Legislative branch, will reclaim its rightful place as one of three equal branches of government, as outlined in our Constitution. Along with the Judicial branch, the Legislative branch was designed to act as a check and balance over the Executive branch. Over the decades, Congress has increasingly ceded its authority in many areas to create an imperial presidency. Americans have come to expect the president to be the One who can solve all of America’s problems.

I call upon ALL citizens to be open-minded, vigilant and civil. I am concerned about early indications on the direction of Trump’s presidency. Two are immediate: 1) Trump’s apparent disregard of verifiable facts, as evidenced by his assessment of the crowds at his inauguration and claims of voter fraud by undocumented immigrants; 2) lack of transparency as evidenced by the freeze on open communication between certain federal agencies and Congress, quick retraction of his campaign promise to eventually release his income tax returns, and the ban on immigration without any consultation with officials and agencies who could have helped the administration avoid some of the chaos and harm to the many travelers detained and returned without good cause.

I am heartened by the unprecedented turnout for Women’s March as an indicator of the number of people who are not only paying attention, but who are also impassioned. If every one of those WM participants goes on to consistently write, call and visit their Members of Congress and state legislators, they will spur their legislators to act as an essential check and balance to this unconventional administration.

PAULA NEILS

Chair

Kootenai County Democrats