What lies ahead for us

Donald Trump’s wealth was largely built using the time-tested strategy of never giving a sucker an even break. It seems professional wrestling, casinos, luxury real estate and resorts, reality TV, prestige-label goods, Miss Universe and Trump University are all sucker plays.

His campaign was, too. I believe the marks were set up in long cons by the Republican Congress suppressing the recovery and demonizing Obamacare and Hillary Clinton. They lambasted the Fed for using monetary policy, which was necessary in the absence of congressional fiscal policy to stimulate growth.

He preached the religion of wealth. I hope he doesn’t govern that way. The science of economics is treacherous enough without muddling it with money worship.

Fiscal policy now might include infrastructure spending, but will most likely be a return to trickle-down tax cuts for the rich and token regulation. Money-handlers and those who exploit the environment, consumers and workers will be on Easy Street.

The worst of it might be renormalization of bigotry, discrimination and xenophobia. The “America” in his “America First” is not an open, inclusive, multi-ethnic society. Our wealth will not be used to alleviate suffering abroad, but to try to impose our will by force, with little regard for consequences.

I hope he will be true to his nature and not feel obligated by anything he said in the campaign.

I hope Republicans in Congress will not reject climate science, economics or any other scientific discipline. I hope they will embrace civil rights with open minds and hearts. HOWELL MEDDERS Fayetteville