2 days Ago
By Mary Ann Paliani Is Donald Trump transforming this country’s identity and values, or is our society already in a serious state of deterioration? At his inauguration on January 20, Trump released a torrent of executive orders that have plunged the nation into a state of confusion and chaos. The orders reflect the promises made to his constituents during his election campaign. But in the wake of this frenzied activity, one wonders: • Does the American electorate fully understand the ramifications of these changes? • Is this what they really want? Let’s look at some of those orders that have significant personal and societal consequences.
Trump’s attempt to eliminate birthright citizenship , is currently on hold. However, if this order survives the courts, children born to parents illegally in the U. S.
, will not only lose U.S. citizenship , but will lack citizenship status in any country.
Although birthright citizenship is protected under the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, Trump is challenging the law and creating significant societal instability. Another executive order authorizes the immediate mass deportation of illegal immigrants. While aliens with a serious criminal past like murder, theft and gang violence are clearly persona non grata, many innocent, but illegal aliens living, working and supporting the economy of this country are finding themselves caught in this dragnet.
These people represent a critical labor resource in the hospitality, agricultural, nursing home and food processing industries. How will their departure impact these industries and our economy? How many Americans will be willing to take their place in a slaughterhouse working at minimum wage? How will labor shortages in these industries affect the cost of their products and services? Under the order entitled, “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing,” diversity programs (DEI) will end at the federal level. Further, the order will affect not only federal employees but also federal government contractors, suppliers and recipients of federal funds.
Locally, Target, The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) and NCAR have already announced the discontinuation of their DEI programs. Inevitably, the order will adversely reshape workplace policies and protections for marginalized groups. In one of his initial executive orders, Trump pardoned approximately 1,500 people charged with participation in the Jan.
6 Capitol insurrection. However, he chose to disregard the difference between those found guilty of serious seditious or assault charges, and those involved in lesser offenses like trespassing. Effectively, his executive order released into the population violent, far-right activists who believe they have the right to take justice into their own hands.
Respect for the law is one of our core beliefs. Trump’s action violated this principle. Trump is purging the federal workforce of employees who are not in synch with his ideology and initiatives, or who he regards as his enemies.
In firing these people and replacing them with Trump loyalists, he is blatantly disregarding their Federal Civil Service Protections. In the case of the 12 Inspectors General, who were recently fired, he is defying a law that requires a 30-day notice to Congress. Despite the fact that these independent government employees are charged with guarding against waste, mismanagement and abuse of power in a given agency, Trump loyalist Lindsey Graham dismissed the seriousness of the action by saying: “Just tell them you need to follow the law the next time.
” Trump is eroding critical workplace values like work experience, dedicated service, and ethical standards that have been the cornerstone of our nation’s achievements. Even more troubling is Congress’ endorsement of such draconian measures! The American people have put into a position of power a person who fails to comprehend the complex structure and interdependencies of our society, who fails to recognize that the people of this nation, regardless of their ethnic, sexual and religious persuasions, are its backbone, who lacks compassion for the common man, who flouts our legal and justice systems, who embraces, wealth and power, and courts people with the same priorities. Is Trump but a reflection of the American electorate? As a nation, is this who we are, or who we want to become? How fragile our democracy has become! Mary Ann Paliani lives in Boulder.
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