It Looks Like We're Going to Have a Three way with the Declaration of Independence.

 

Watching the political landscape over time has been difficult, especially reflecting on my younger years when I supported the Democratic Party, seeing it as the champion of freedom's fight against enemies who, in my view back then, were the Republicans. At that time, I believed Republicans were simply a wealthy group looking to keep others down, while I saw Democrats as fighting for the common good.

My reasons for backing the Democrats may have been naive, but I genuinely thought I was on the right side. Over the years, though, it became clear that money flowed through both parties, and endorsements and connections brought in substantial financial benefits on all sides. 

As elections came and went, I saw that both parties played the political game with the same level of intensity and cunning, each maneuvering for power. No matter the outcome of these shifts in leadership, the core issues and promises rarely saw real change. The cycle continued, revealing that politics had become less about idealism and more about a constant, calculated exchange of power.

In all my years, I've never seen anything quite like the political shifts that began when Trump announced his presidential run. For the first time, here was a candidate addressing the raw concerns of everyday Americans, tapping into issues often sidelined by mainstream political discourse. He didn’t follow the traditional script; instead, he voiced the frustrations and fears that resonated deeply with many who felt unheard by the establishment. His approach shattered the norms, taking direct aim at topics like job loss, immigration, and American values —

Trump’s rhetoric and style broke through longstanding political taboos, bringing a populist tone to the national stage that hadn’t been seen in modern politics.

Other candidates often handled subjects with cautious language or political spin, aiming not to alienate potential voters or stir controversy. They sidestepped divisive topics, opting for safer, more generalized statements. This approach led to conversations on the economy, immigration, and national security becoming framed through broad, sometimes vague language that aligned with established party narratives but often left voters feeling distanced from the issues.

Trump’s campaign departed from this, using plain, assertive language that directly addressed concerns like job outsourcing, border security, and “America First” policies. This unfiltered style resonated with voters seeking a voice that directly mirrored their frustrations, breaking with the conventional political etiquette that traditionally defined the campaign trail. His approach changed how these issues were discussed, leading many voters to feel that, for the first time, a candidate was tackling subjects others only cautiously brushed upon.

During Donald Trump’s presidency (2017-2021), he implemented a range of policies and actions in areas like the economy, foreign policy, criminal justice, and more. Here are several notable accomplishments and initiatives from his administration:

Economic Policies

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (2017): Trump signed this tax reform bill, which lowered the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and reduced individual tax rates for many. This bill aimed to stimulate economic growth by providing tax relief to businesses and individuals.

Deregulation: His administration reduced federal regulations across industries, claiming to foster economic growth by reducing government oversight, especially in the energy, manufacturing, and financial sectors.

Economic Growth and Unemployment: Before the pandemic, the U.S. experienced a period of low unemployment, hitting a 50-year low of 3.5% in 2019. Wages also rose, particularly for lower-income earners.

Trade and Foreign Relations

USMCA: Trump renegotiated NAFTA, resulting in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which aimed to bring jobs back to the U.S. and address issues in areas like automobile manufacturing and dairy markets.

China Trade Deal (Phase One): In January 2020, Trump signed a trade agreement with China, where China agreed to increase its purchases of U.S. goods and services. This deal partially addressed long-standing trade issues but did not resolve all tensions.

Middle East Relations – Abraham Accords: The Trump administration brokered peace agreements between Israel and several Arab nations, including the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco, marking a historic normalization of relations.

Criminal Justice Reform

First Step Act (2018): This bipartisan criminal justice reform legislation focused on prison reform, including sentencing reductions for certain offenses and early release programs aimed at reducing recidivism rates. It’s credited with benefiting a significant number of federal inmates, particularly those convicted of non-violent crimes.

Immigration Policies

Border Security: Trump focused heavily on border security, including the construction of border barriers. Although not all of his wall plans were completed, approximately 450 miles of new or reinforced barriers were constructed.

Remain in Mexico Policy (Migrant Protection Protocols): This policy required asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases were processed in U.S. courts, which aimed to manage border crossings but faced legal and humanitarian challenges.

Refugee and Visa Reductions: The Trump administration reduced the number of refugees allowed into the U.S. and implemented several travel bans, notably affecting predominantly Muslim countries, which were contested and modified by the courts.

Health and Pandemic Response

Right to Try Act: This legislation allows terminally ill patients to access experimental drugs not yet approved by the FDA.

COVID-19 Response and Operation Warp Speed: Trump’s administration launched Operation Warp Speed, an initiative to accelerate the development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, which led to the rapid creation of vaccines in record time.

Judicial Appointments

Federal Judges: Trump appointed over 230 federal judges, including three Supreme Court Justices (Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett), shifting the judiciary toward a more conservative alignment that could affect U.S. law for decades.

Defense and Veterans

Increased Military Funding: Trump increased the defense budget to boost military readiness and modernization, funding new equipment, technology, and pay raises for military personnel.

Veterans Affairs Reform: The VA MISSION Act improved access to healthcare for veterans by expanding telehealth services and allowing veterans to seek private healthcare providers if VA services were insufficient.

Environmental and Energy Policies

Withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement: Trump withdrew the U.S. from this international climate agreement, citing economic concerns, though the decision was controversial regarding environmental impact.

Energy Independence and Deregulation: Trump promoted oil, gas, and coal industries and rolled back several environmental regulations to enhance U.S. energy independence, leading the U.S. to briefly become a net energy exporter.

These initiatives reflect a mix of support and criticism, shaping debates on trade, foreign policy, the environment, and social justice. Each action had supporters and detractors, with lasting impacts across various sectors.

It Looks Like We're Going to Have a Three way with the Declaration of Independence.

The 2024 U.S. presidential election is shaping up to feature a notable three-way race that many observers see as a "new declaration of independence" for some voters, reflecting a growing desire for alternatives beyond the two major parties. 

In addition to Democratic and Republican candidates, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently declared an independent run, aiming to address what he calls widespread discontent with both parties. He has called for "independence from the corrupt interests" he believes dominate traditional political structures, advocating for policies like reducing corporate power and tackling environmental and health issues that resonate with a wide base of voters disillusioned with the current system. His campaign emphasizes freedom from what he describes as “partisan allegiance” and has called for a collective “declaration of independence” to return power to the people【578†source】【579†source】.

This independent bid could influence the dynamic of the election, as Kennedy's focus on issues like health care, government corruption, and economic inequities challenges both major party platforms and may draw support across the political spectrum. Given the concerns he raises about corporate and governmental influence, some view his campaign as a transformative, populist approach to the political landscape.

It also prompted Kennedy and Tulsi Gabbart leaving the Democrats and Joining Trump in the 2024 campaign.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard recently joined Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign team, underscoring a shift in alliances and broader bipartisan support for Trump. Gabbard has been actively involved, including debate preparation and potentially contributing to policy planning in a new administration. Kennedy, similarly aligning with Trump's campaign, is expected to add a unique voice to Trump’s vision, especially concerning civil liberties and governmental transparency. Both figures are playing significant roles as Trump and his team prepare for potential leadership transitions if elected【585†source】.

The Brutal Truth

sources 

 The White House archives, The New York Times, Brookings Institution, Washington Examiner