Reality vs. assertions
in Trump White House
Trump's axiom is simply "Whatever I repeat three times becomes fact."
Assertion: Trump is a humble man.
Reality: Trump has an insatiable need for praise. How sickening for members of Congress to brag on the tax law. Each one said how wonderful it was to be involved in such a marvelous piece of legislation. Vice President Pence praised Trump once every 12 seconds for three minutes, e.g., 15 times straight.
Assertion: Trump's tax law is the biggest reduction in taxes ever.
Reality: Trump's tax law is actually the seventh-largest tax cutting legislation, per Steve Rattner, national MSNBC consultant.
Assertion: The middle class will benefit most from the new tax law.
Reality: Most of the tax relief (86 percent) goes to the top 1 percent (the richest).
Assertion: The tax law will help reduce the national debt.
Reality: Over the next 10 years, the new tax law will cause a rise of $10 billion.
Assertion: Trump's administration will be recognized as the greatest ever.
Reality: Compare the White House teams of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson and Barack Obama.
Assertion: Most of Trump's ideas are logical and beneficial to the populace.
Reality: Many of Trump's proposals, like building a wall and DACA, are implausible.
Assertion: Trump's primary focus is to protect the American people.
Reality: Trump's focus is to trade "nuclear threats" with North Korea's Kim Jong Un.
Assertion: Trump claims to be clear thinking in his decision-making.
Reality: Trump appears to be moronic and self-aggrandizing, not presidential.
Tom Goldsborough
Bella Vista
Number of traffic deaths reason to be more careful
Regarding the number of deaths from traffic accidents in the United States in 2016 as reported in the current issue of the AAA Magazine: 37,461, or an average of 103 a day. More in 2017? Those don't include the thousands injured.
So when you start your car today, remember 103 people will die as a result of traffic accidents in the USA.
Sound frightening? Yes.
The tobacco industry ads must now mention the hazards of smoking with warning labels. Why not include warning labels on car ads -- on TV, newspapers and magazines? Show the perils of unsafe driving -- something the auto industry would not like?
When I start my auto, I can think that 103 people on average will die today. I am being more careful.
Something to ponder?
Leonard Eisert
Bella Vista
Commentary on 01/12/2018