Trump's raw deal
3 March 2025
This is a repost of excerpts from “The Raw Deal: The country doesn't want what Trump is selling, and never has” by Matt Kerbel:
In the 1930s, Franklin Roosevelt proposed a series of programs designed to stabilize the economy and put people back to work during the depths of the Great Depression, including banking reform, agricultural assistance, worker and consumer rights, public works development, and social security.
In the 1940s, Harry Truman proposed to build on Roosevelt’s accomplishments with a program designed to spread post-war prosperity by promoting fair employment practices, lifting wages, expanding social security, and addressing racial segregation.
FDR called his agenda the New Deal.
Truman called his agenda the Fair Deal.
Donald Trump is offering America a Raw Deal.
Really, it’s the same raw deal that reactionaries have been trying to foist on the country for decades.
Let’s dismantle the government benefits, services and protections that Americans depend on and use the savings to cut taxes for the wealthiest few. More here.
To fight the Trump / Musk dictatorship, we must:
Become more politically active. If we believe we are as active as possible, we should find a way to do it better.
Stop supporting the billionaires and their companies unless it is clear that they are committed to promoting the middle and working classes and not their own wealth. Instead, switch to buying from small businesses, as you can. You may have to make small sacrifices of time and money to do this, but isn’t it worth it to take a stand against dictatorship?
Note: I have started doing this. I stopped using Twitter / X. I use local grocery stores instead of Meijer or Walmart. I use the local hardware stores. I use cash and not credit cards (owned by big banks) for smaller purchases. I am moving away from using Amazon when I can. I am thinking about every purchase I make and whether it contributes to the problem (billionaire companies) or the solution (small businesses).
Actively demonstrate, to the extent that you can, against Trump, Musk and their major supporters.
Note: There is a Tesla protest on Thursday, 6 March 2025 at 5:00-6:30 pm at the Tesla Dealership, 6800 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, MI 48322. See also https://www.teslatakedown.com/
Trump is a bully who threatens those who oppose him. But there are more of us who oppose him than those who will support him. Don’t be so afraid that you are paralyzed into inaction. Pick a cause and get involved.
The index to my prior essays (mostly post 5 November 2024) is here.
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