1080 Days

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OK, I have, like most Americans been sitting in silence watching the bona fide reality show wannabe that has been a constant for 1080 days now. I have experienced multiple episodes of conscious confusion between simple overload and downright rage over the actions that our country’s leadership have chosen to take. It is critical that we as a nation try to more clearly understand the circumstances that we are currently experiencing and not simply hide behind our computers, or televisions, our substances or our social media to stay in the denial stage beyond what our lives are about to become.

The decisions made by our leaders in the past 1080 days have included withdrawing from a nuclear deal isolating us from our allies and forcing them to reconsider their relationships with the United States and all others. They have also decided to enact trade restrictions on goods from China, Mexico and others that have directly affected multiple states and devalued a variety of American exports from steel,  to soybeans, to natural gas to thousands of other products we export as a country resulting in a wide span of economic damage to American companies, jobs and households.

We have for 1080 days seen federal agencies gut their workforce and appoint leaders who openly and proudly state that they are personally against the core mission of said agency, Whether we are looking at the Department of State eliminating diplomats, linguists and foreign affairs experts; the purging US Attorneys from Department of Justice; creating a state complete instability throughout the Intelligence Community with an overwhelming number of roles being filled by interim/temporary or acting leadership who are openly undermining the Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services; and completely obliterating relationships throughout the world stranding us with leadership who fill both general and specific roles in protecting the rights of every American (no matter what party, race, creed, income level, or whatever other distinction you chose).

We have for 1080 days seen states purge more than 17 million voters 17 million voters.[1] before the 1080 days and the process continues to this day. In 1060 days, the Senate has confirmed 2 Supreme Court judges; 187 Article III judges; 50 US Courts of Appeals judges; 133 US District Court judges and 2 judges for the United States Court of International Trade.[2] with many others still in the pending appointments that are likely underway now.

We have for 1080 days seen 28 million people.[3] more than 28 million people affected by catastrophic hurricanes in 2017;  248 fires destroying 3762 acres.[4].

We have for 1080 days seen a massive expansion of Border Patrol stations[5], and children’s "shelters"[6], overseen by Department of Health and Human Services to detain adults and children deemed immigrants without counsel or any rights for years on end the Justice Department looking to increase this number even as courts consistently block these attempts.

We have for 1080 days watched the checks and balances of our three branches of government become completely neutered to the point where Senators state out loud to the public without hesitation what they plan to vote prior to hearing any evidence.[6]., and that they have already determined their judgement prior to any testimony or trial—an action that should require Chief Justice Roberts to dismiss them as jurors for indicating they can't put aside their feelings and apply the law impartially.

So, We the People (hopefully) have 302 days to collectively decide whether or not we support these decisions, these actions, these people. We need to prepare for a reality show that provides so much distraction and chaos that we get confused and overwhelmed constantly. We need to take measures as Americans to overcome the urge to divide ourselves and in truth (or even in jest) threaten one another; debase one another, incite anyone to take actions that are immoral and/or criminal in nature because they theoretically validate our personal opinions on a subject, a candidate, a group or a Leader. Let’s hope, pray if that is your preference and take what proactive steps we can to consider these consequences before allowing ourselves to reflexively make decisions that divide us and destroy us as a Nation.














  

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