Trump's Inaugural Address

On January 20, 2017, Donald John Trump was sworn in as our 45th president. As is tradition, he gave a speech. I was not and am not a supporter of Trump. That said, I hope he is a successful president because that will mean America was successful.

The overall tone of the inaugural address was very dark and confrontational. It was also nationalistic and isolationist. 

Trump promised to transfer power from the DC elite back to the people. As of 1/20/17, the people became rulers of the nation. Good luck with that. The power brokers have been in Washington for decades, the new president for a few hours. Many in Trump's cabinet are part of that privledged elite. 

Of course he had to brag that the movement he led is like no other in history. Well that's just unabashed BS. 

From now on, it will be "Only America First". While America first is normally a good philosophy, sometimes we have to act on behalf of other less fortunate countries and people. Just like the fire fighter who rushes into a burning building tho save others, unselfish action is often desirable. 

Trump will never let us down. That is until the first time he lets us down. Every president lets the nation down at some point. I'm sure Trump and his minions will spin any failures into triumphs, somebody elses fault or at least out of his control.  

One thing he will let us down on is when he promised to eradicate radical Islam terrorists. He didn't promise to eradicate ISIS, Al Queda or any other particular group. No, Trump will eradicate ALL radical Islamic terrorism. Good luck with that Donny. There will always be radical Muslims just like there are radical Jews, radical Christians, radical Hindus, radical radicals. There are still Nazis around today, 70 years after the defeat of Nazi Germany. 

He said the "American carnage" stops here and now. What carnage and how will he stop it?

One line in the speech we should all be able to agree with is "When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice". Nice words, especially from someone who has disparaged almost every minority group in the country. I don't believe either Trump or his diehard followers actually believe or follow this sentiment. 

We have all been waiting for Trump to change his style and behavior. To become less confrontational, more measured, maybe more presidential. This speech showed no change. It was another campaign speech directed only to those who already support him. He blasted both parties, he made unkeepable promises, he painted America as a third world country. There was no effort to heal the divide in the country or to encourage hands across the congressional aisles.

  
FDR, JFK, Lincoln and many other former presidents do not have to worry about their inaugural speeches being forgotten because of a stellar perfomance by Trump. I was worried about Trump well before the inauguration. This address only confirmed those concerns. 

Don't take my word for it, see and read the speech here.

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