Politics, promises and reality

Shannon Bohrer

(7/2025) When running for office, our current president made multiple promises, as many have before him. He was going to lower the cost of food, reduce taxes, and exempt Social Security from taxes. He was also going to balance the budget and make America great again. He also promised to end the war in Ukraine and the Israel-Palestine conflict, which is a war. Both would end in one day, if not before. We heard this before, as he made promises before his first term. Back then, he was going to build a wall, balance the budget, and make America great again. Some would say that America was already great before his first term, so his promises were puzzling for many, but also believed by many.

Making America great again had mixed reviews. During his first four years, the economy was not good. Not one job was created, the worst record since President Herbert Hoover. In fact, under his administration, the US lost 2,720,000 jobs. As to the budget, he increased our deficit by close to eight trillion, the most in any four-year term. Adding to his record, the unemployment rate grew to 6.4 percent, resulting in a growth rate of minus 2.2 percent. It was not all sad news; corporate profits rose 17.4 percent, and the wealthy received tax reductions during his first term. Even with his dismal record, many of his loyal fans believed it was a great four years. Making America great again worked for corporations and the super-rich, but not the rest of us.

During his first term, he also promised to build a wall between the U.S. and Mexico, ostensibly to reduce illegal migration. He did build part of his "beautiful wall," but it was never completed. The cost surpassed eleven billion dollars, or twenty million for each mile. It became the most expensive wall ever built. He also promised that Mexico would pay for the wall. Is it possible that nobody sent them the bill?

Before Trump was reelected, a bipartisan bill created by Congress to address the illegal border crossings was put forth. Both parties agreed upon the contents and the Border Patrol endorsed it. According to all reports it was a well-received bill. The legislation was never passed. Citizen Trump campaigned against illegal migration and lobbied his party not to pass the bill. Apparently, he did not want the problem corrected. After all, if corrected he could not complain about the issue. There is a pattern with his promises of projecting what he intends to accomplish, but the follow-through has had mixed results.

Large corporations, businesses, and wealthy individuals did well during Trump’s first term. The burdensome business regulations were reduced and eliminated, and the rich were granted tax reductions. The tax reductions, it was said, "would add $1.8 trillion in new revenue." That was wrong. Tax reductions for corporations, millionaires, and billionaires have never led to a decrease in our national deficits. Conversely, they have consistently contributed to our annual deficits, thereby increasing our national debt.

During this term, his promises were again grand, but the results thus far have been questionable. Large corporations were again promised deregulation; however, the business environment has undergone significant changes. The on-and-off tariffs have affected large corporations in multiple venues. Planning and purchasing products and materials, along with projected sales, has become a guessing game. Large corporations plan their purchasing and sales strategies for months and even years in advance. The tariffs have been on and off, interrupting the process.

The administration has told many large businesses to produce their product in the U.S. One such business was threatened with severe tariffs on their product if they did not start manufacturing the product in the U.S. The iPhones made in China are expensive, but the estimated cost of manufacturing them here is $3,500.00 per phone. That is a no-win situation.

Many small businesses have also been affected because of the tariffs. Operating on smaller margins is more financially challenging. It is expected that many small businesses may close. Deregulation is supposed to be beneficial for business, of course that is providing the business can survive.

It was curious that many of the country’s wealthiest mega-business owners attended Trump's inauguration. They were invited, they attended, and one would expect they would receive good, or at least fair treatment by the government. Historically, the party advocating for fewer regulations for businesses has been considered business-friendly; however, that perception has shifted. In addition to the tariffs, these businesses have also been told to reduce their importations of products and materials by building manufacturing plants in America. As with the phone example, if the products were produced here, they would cost more, a lot more.

Incumbering businesses also includes telling businesses how to conduct their personnel policies. Large companies that have used the model of Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) were threatened, and many of these businesses have changed their policies to conform to the government’s request. Even law firms have been the target of this administration. Some huge firms have relented to his demands, and others have sued them in court.

The higher education system in our country was the envy of the world, but that has changed. Just as the administration has dictated to private industry, they have also dictated to colleges and universities. The demands include curriculum, what is taught, who can attend, and where the students can come from.

The administration also targeted states and cities, as if they were not independent entities. Telling the governor of New York to cease traffic fines in parts of New York City. This administration is attempting, and often succeeds in micromanaging private industry, universities, and even local governments. That is not ensuring our freedom; it is restricting them.

The party that has always believed in freedom is now imposing additional regulations and even restrictions on personal life. The business, manufacturing, legal, and educational communities have not been deregulated, nor have they even been given more freedoms. Instead, they are being micromanaged. Dictating to industry, legal, local governments, and educational institutions is restricting your freedom. A government that wants to run everything is not a democracy, but an autocracy.

So, who benefits from this government?

"The purpose of government is to enable the people of a nation to live in safety and happiness. Government exists for the interest of the governed, not for the governors." - Thomas Jefferson.