My Apologies for US Politics
A lot has changed in the United States over the past fifty years. I began that time in high school, built a rewarding career that let me travel and work with business leaders around the world, and now I’m enjoying retirement. This gives me some perspective. Donald Trump’s administration has broken hard-won norms that (albeit imperfectly) have enhanced global living standards to the benefit of all countries, including the United States.
My Political Leanings
I’ve never joined a political party in the United States. I’m registered as an Independent because I like to decide where I stand on each issue. If I had to describe my politics, I’d say I lean a bit left on social issues and more to the right on financial matters.
We all deserve to have elected officials who serve the people with fidelity to the Constitution before their political party.
I don’t think anyone should have to live on the streets. I also don’t think 17-year-olds should be allowed to take on college debt as big as a mortgage. People who’ve worked their whole lives shouldn’t be poor in retirement. Women should have the right to choose whether to end a pregnancy, within reasonable limits. These are the reasons I consider myself left of center on social issues.
I don’t support the Federal Government spending more than it brings in through taxes year after year. It’s not acceptable that the United States has a debt of over 123% of its economy, and that we pay more in interest on that debt than we spend on our large military. We spend more on the military than the next nine countries combined, but we spend even more on interest payments on our Federal Debt. Do you think this sounds like responsible governance?
While our government’s budget shouldn’t be managed like you manage your spending every month, it should be managed in a similar way—namely, don’t spend more than you bring in, forever.
This is irresponsible financial management.
If I had to label my political views, I’d say I’m a humanist with some libertarian leanings who values strong financial management and respect for the law.
What I Advocate
Our Federal Government’s political leadership has structural problems. The Big Beautiful Bill does the opposite of what we need as a country—moving us farther away from a balanced budget and toward continued fiscally irresponsible governance.
It would help to make a few changes:
The Legislative Branch
- Set term limits for the House and Senate, with a maximum of 12 years in total.
- Set an age limit of 70 for serving in the House and Senate.
Career politicians often put themselves and their party first, serving the Constitution and the voters when it suits them. The evidence is clear.
Older people often have less interest in understanding new technology. For example, would you ask your 80-year-old grandfather, who doesn’t know much about investing, to help design laws for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies? Also, how many 75-year-olds do you see leading teams in business?
Warren Buffett is an exception. At 66, I don’t mind the idea of being too old to run for office at 70. That wouldn’t stop me from starting a business, volunteering, or doing anything else—except getting paid to sit in Washington and follow party leaders.
It would be good for the Federal Government to have more new faces. I think experience in political leadership is often overrated.
The House and Senate are led by people who have been there too long and mostly serve their parties. Term and age limits would help bring in new leadership.
The Judiciary
Lifetime appointments to government roles are not a good idea. We should have age limits for Supreme Court justices, similar to those in Congress, though I’d be open to a higher age limit—maybe up to 75.
President Trump
I will not call this man my President because he has questionable character. He has emotional problems. He has broken laws. I’m shocked that 48.5% of American voters didn’t understand this in 2024. Would you hire him for any job that requires trust?
I do not support Trump’s threats to take Greenland. I do not support his treatment of immigrants (legal or otherwise). I do not support his treatment of FED Chairman Powell. I do not support his use of lethal force against boats he claims (without lawful review) are drug dealers. I do not support his use of the military to invade Venezuela to snatch Nicolas Maduro. I do not support his use of tariffs as a political weapon. I do not support trade wars. I do not support ICE deployments in states and cities against which he has political grudges. I do not support his pardoning of criminals from January 6th. I do not support his use of pardons for personal gain. I do not support his unlawful acts enabled by a subservient Legislative Branch. I could go on. You may disagree with me, but my positions are not unreasonable.
Democracy struggles when many voters are willfully ignorant, only care about one issue, or don’t think things through. Sadly, that’s where we are as a country right now.
My apologies to everyone outside the United States for Donald Trump. I don’t accept the blame for him because I have not and would not ever vote for a person with the ethical qualities of Donald Trump.
Why I Remain Optimistic
You may think I’m a pessimist. I’m not. I’d call myself a realist. The problems of the United States are solvable, but solving them requires honest leadership, collective problem-solving, clear and honest communication, rational planning, and compromise.
I believe that when things get bad enough, new leaders will step up.
Every day life will have to get worse for the people of the United States before the country will deal with reality like adults. Unfortunately, we’ve become complacent in the belief of American Exceptionalism.
Maybe it’s time for another country to lead the way in international law, free trade, respect for good institutions, and positive changes that benefit everyone.
I hope that this November, enough people see that the path Trump and his supporters are taking isn’t good for the United States or the world.
I still believe there are enough good people in the world to make this vision possible.
Citations:
The United States Spends More on Defense than the Next 9 Countries Combined https://www.pgpf.org/blog/2024/04/the-united-states-spends-more-on-defense-than-the-next-9-countries-combined