Trump Loses his First, and the Pentagon Adds One More to Its Growing List
Op-ed by TheWiseOldFart
Do we get what we pay for? Between 2023 and 2024, the
presidential candidates spent 1.8 billion dollars to secure a job which pays
$400,000 per year. Congressional candidates spent 3.8 billion. Their jobs pay
$174,000 each year.
In 2025, the Pentagon received a budget of $831.3 billion.
In 2026 that number rose to $838.7. Trump is asking for $1.5 trillion in 2027.
On February 28, 2026, Trump began a war against the
sovereign nation of Iran. As the illegal and unconstitutional war continues,
the estimated cost will reach one trillion dollars. Guess what: by all
accounts, Iran is winning. Trump and his generals failed to achieve their
goals.
This is the first war lost by Donald Trump, and the fifth on
a growing list for the Pentagon since WWII.
Fact: America has the largest and most expensive military in
the world and it is incapable of winning wars in Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan,
Iraq, and now Iran. Any war in the Middle East is clearly unwinnable.
WHEN WILL OUR GOVERNMENT PLACE THE PEOPLE FIRST?
The United States of America is the only developed nation
without universal/single-payer healthcare for everyone. What we do have is the
most expensive and disorganized system on the planet. Speaking from personal
experience, I can testify that unless you are wealthy, the quality of care is
sub-standard. About two years ago, I was hospitalized. I was ignored and
overcharged. Most of what I expected became a reality, but when I was charged
for services I never received, I was rightfully pissed off.
Why is our nation’s government willing to spend more than
one trillion dollars on preparations for war, but unwilling to spend an
estimated $600 billion to save 68,000 lives each year and end financial ruin
for millions? Facts prove that a single-payer plan would save our country more
than 40 trillion dollars over the next decade. Healthcare for all would be a
major factor in reducing the national debt, which just reached 39 trillion
dollars.
FACT: OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS PROFIT FROM WARS WHILE THE
WORKING CLASS PAYS
It is an irrefutable fact: America’s greatest tragedies help
the rich become richer. Recently, in 2020-2021, Covid-19 was responsible for
the loss of more than one million lives in the U.S. Trump’s failure to take
immediate action when he learned about an approaching healthcare emergency is
responsible for a large number of those lives, and for a huge threat to the
future of our country’s economy.
However, when the crisis began in 2020, America had 614
billionaires. By 2022, that number rose to 735. Another tragedy, the second
illegitimate election of Donald Trump. In 2024, the number of billionaires was
902. Today, that number is 989.
The story here is the story of the United States itself.
America is no longer a nation caring for its people and improving their quality
of life. America is a business and its current motto is “profit before people.”
“War is good business.”
A FIFTH LOSS EXPOSES REALITY
Bigger is not always better. I find it reprehensible that
the Pentagon receives such enormous amounts of money and, according to
watchdogs, wastes more than one-half of every dollar they receive. Meanwhile, half
of our nation’s 340 million people struggle to survive.
What we have learned, as our nation’s military loses it’s
fifth consecutive war, is that having the largest and most expensive military
force in the world is futile, and not worth the cost to taxpayers.
We also learned that choosing our presidents must be taken
more seriously. Emotions must not be a factor in deciding who receives our
votes.
Trump remains the least qualified man to ever wear the label
of President of the United States. He was a failure in the private sector and
is a disaster as the leader of 340 million people.
In just one year, Trump increased the national debt by
approximately 1.5 trillion dollars. He continues to spend your money like a
drunken sailor on shore-leave.
Everyone is aware of his unnecessary ballroom, and his
failure to achieve his goals in Iran. Think about his personal spending. Every
trip to one of his golf courses and to the Lago in Palm Beach costs taxpayers
more than 1.5 million dollars. During his first term, Trump averaged a wasteful
eight million dollars each and every month. This time that number is over 10
million.
Operating Air Force One costs taxpayers about $270,000 per
hour. Added to this is a second aircraft carrying vehicles and other equipment
required by law, including the presidential limousine.
Housing and feeding the Secret Service and other essential
and invited personnel actually puts money in Trump’s pocket when an excursion
involves one of his properties. What’s wrong with this picture?
There is no argument about one fact: America’s government is
the most corrupt and incompetent in the world.
Op-ed by James Turnage
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