Like many Americans who believe in democracy, a republic form of government, and the constitutional rule of law, I have been deeply troubled and, dare I say, depressed by the current course taken by the leadership of our great country. Our leaders have now seen fit to continue to promote a bullying public image with a show of machismo and public humiliation and belittlement directed at the president of a small foreign and courageous country fighting the invading force of the Russian superpower. Just like the bully holding down the smaller kid under water in the school pool, Trump will not let Zelenskyy up to breathe until he does Trump’s bidding. It was a disgusting display of force and downright disrespect shown to an invited dignitary to the White House. Trump is the classic “pot calling the kettle black.” Watch the TV news clip again. Trump clearly shows no deference or respect to President Zelenskyy, forcing his condescending voice and demeaning attitude on him, barely letting him get a word in, while continuing to chide and berate him, essentially ordering him to “bow” in Trump’s presence and “show him respect and appreciation.” Note here: Trump is inadvertently asking for President Z’s appreciation, not for what Trump has done for Ukraine, but for what the Biden Administration has done for Ukraine. Since Trump took office on Jan. 20, only “critical munitions” approved by the previous administration have been delivered to Ukraine. Since this Oval Office incident, Trump has now halted all military aid to Ukraine.
That happened on Feb. 28. I was feeling ashamed for my country, alone and depressed that we, the USA, have gone so far off course from a dignified and respected leader of the free world, human rights, and the NATO philosophy of “no country has the right to invade and take over another country” to now resorting to childish, demeaning, disgraceful, and downright disgusting tactics displayed by Trump and Vance for the sake of “good television.”
The next day, I got wind of a “We the People Bow to No King” protest march to be held in Truckee. What a difference a day makes. The people were civil, kind, animated, pleasant, and a real joy to be with. No hostility like I have been expressing in this article, just genuine sincere concern for what is happening in our country. We are at a major turning point in the USA and we must open our eyes and be aware of what is really going on.
As a lawyer, I can tell you that most of Trump’s actions are illegal and violate the U.S. Constitution. A U.S. president cannot dismantle an entire agency such as he did with USAID and proposes to do with the Department of Education. By the explicit terms of the Constitution, Congress is the only body that controls how the government spends taxpayer money. Several federal courts have already agreed with me on this point and have issued legal rulings against Trump’s actions. We have due process and, I might add, common sense procedures in place for firing federal workers.
The news just reported that 80,000 persons are being fired from the Veterans Administration without cause; and Social Security is next on the chopping block despite Trump’s preelection assurances; now once again, one of his many lies.
~ Craig B. Close is a semi-retired estate planning attorney and real estate developer of 20-acre parcels behind Glenshire. He originally came to Truckee in 1971 to help open Northstar’s day lodge as an assistant manager before returning to Los Angeles to law school. He has lived in Truckee for 37 years.
