Jackson vs. Trump: Not so similar
From The Brunswick News
The timing of the state Senate’s consideration this week of the fiscal year 2018 budget is a bit on the nose in one respect. We want the public to know how important it is they not only see what their government is doing and how it is spending their money, but also help them understand why it is important.
Which brings us back to the Senate’s budget. In it is a proposed $485,000 for outfitting its chambers with the technology to stream committee meetings. This is something the other chamber, the House, has been doing for years. House members realized a while ago that they are making decisions with our tax money, making laws that affect our daily lives and governing not just our state, but theirs.
To help with that, the House began live streaming on the internet every single committee meeting — where much of the real legislative work is done.
Our senators likely have the same intent, but being that they are representing us, an being that they are spending our money, it only makes sense we have a chance to see the debate and listen to the discussion.
What are the chances a regular person with an interest in a Senate committee is going to make the trip to be at a hearing? Save for a few passionate advocacy groups — slim.
Which is why it is imperative the Senate, like its counterpart, begin using the incredibly powerful technology at its fingertips to truly make this a government of the people — all people, not just those for whom it is convenient.
Does $485,000 seem like a hefty price tag for setting up the proper equipment to stream? Perhaps. Especially since senators are contemplating a record budget of more than $25 billion for the state, further increasing government spending.
But it is a price worth paying if it provides us all a real opportunity to watch, listen and think about the work happening in our government. If we all had equal access, perhaps our voices would weigh a little heavier on our senators’ minds.
Lately there have been several attempts to compare Donald Trump with our seventh president, Andrew Jackson. While there are similarities, it is their differences that are most revealing. This is particularly true in the realm of economics. Jackson was a “hard money” man who absolutely despised Wall Street and financial institutions that operated on a national level. Though Trump pays lip service to the villainy of Wall Street his actions prove otherwise. He has hired billionaires straight out of Wall Street to key economic positions. In fact, many of his economic gurus are Goldman Sachs executives whom he vilified during his political campaign. His tax policies are straight out of the worn out “trickle down” play book of the Republican Establishment: Enrich the Wealthy and All Will Benefit. Hardly a Populist battle cry. In terms of economic policy Jackson and Trump share one common trait: one sided solutions to complex problems that invariably lead worse problems. Jim Doyle Armuchee
NClay Bennett, Chattanooga Times Free Press Clearly some of these media voices no longer favor national independence by expressing a preference for international forms of governance.
The important question is, can such a transformation occur without great disruption in national security, culture and traditions? Most likely not. Because culture and traditions are deeply rooted in our social fabric, i.e. such as common law, education and law enforcement. Our feelings about nationalism are personal and subject to slow elevation.
America is a large nation and its incorporated migrant cultures have been a slow ongoing process, until the past 30 years. It is important to note that differing cultures and tradition exist in each state, as seen in industrial zones verses the agricultural states. Thus, in order to keep a vital spirit of nationalism, it must be safeguarded by our loyalty and solidarity, for if we fail to do so America will become a subsidiary of a few international corporate oligarchies. Charles Dickerson
Cave Spring