Life Between 0 and 1

Yeah, so I watched it and was surprised at how sharp it actually turned out to be.  As I listened, I made a few notes to myself as he went along for 16 minutes at a measured pace and tone.  One thing to note, this is not the entire speech, I quoted the portions that I found comment worthy.

For too long, a small group in our nation’s capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have bore the cost. Washington flourished, but the people did not share in its wealth. Politicians prospered but the jobs left and the factories closed.

The establishment protected itself, but not the citizens of our country. Their victories have not been your victories. Their triumphs have not been your triumphs. And while they celebrated in our nation’s capital, there was little to celebrate for struggling families all across our land.

A reference to the 16 year oligarchy that has been secretly in power making themselves wealthy off the war and conflict they have caused. Coming from someone who himself is wealthy, I’m skeptical and reserve judgement until actions in the coming months match up to the words spoken.

January 20th, 2017, will be remembered as the day the people became the rulers of this nation again.

The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer. Everyone is listening to you now. You came by the tens of millions to become part of a historic movement, the likes of which the world has never seen before.

Well, considering that more people voted for the other “guy” and won the popular vote but you won only because of the Electoral College, I think these statements are a tad grandiose.

At the center of this movement is a crucial conviction that a nation exists to serve its citizens. Americans want great schools for their children, safe neighborhoods for their families and good jobs for themselves.

The nation existing to serve its citizens hasn’t existed for decades. For your sake, and possibility of re-election, I hope you’re right and can make this happen.

For many decades we’ve enriched foreign industry at the expense of American industry, subsidized the armies of other countries while allowing for the very sad depletion of our military.

We’ve defended other nations’ borders while refusing to defend our own. And we’ve spent trillions and trillions of dollars overseas while America’s infrastructure has fallen into disrepair and decay.

We’ve made other countries rich while the wealth, strength and confidence of our country has dissipated over the horizon.

With so many politicians on the stage with you, former Presidents even, this is a bold and divisive statement to make inside an inaugural address. Nothing like taking Twitter rhetoric and throwing it in the address to the nation, stomping on the government supporters that helped get you there. This may come back to bite him in the ass.

The wealth of our middle class has been ripped from their homes and then redistributed all across the world. But that is the past, and now we are looking only to the future.

We assembled here today are issuing a new decree to be heard in every city, in every foreign capital and in every hall of power. From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land.

From this day forward, it’s going to be only America first, America first. Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs will be made to benefit American workers and American families. We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries making our product, stealing our companies and destroying our jobs.

This is something I can get behind if he truly can do things to make this happen. When I hear America First, I don’t think isolationist, that literally is impossible in a modern global society. If he truly takes Americans into consideration before signing his name to whatever Congress tosses across his desk, then I might just actually vote for him in 2020 (unless Bernie Sanders runs, then I’m voting for him).

We will follow two simple rules: Buy American and hire American.

Haven’t we been trying to do this for years? Just saying.

We do not seek to impose our way of life on anyone, but rather to let it shine as an example.

Then get us out of all the conflicts we’re involved in, immediately. I can only believe this if that is what happens.

When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice.

Damn straight!

Finally, we must think big and dream even bigger. In America, we understand that a nation is only living as long as it is striving. We will no longer accept politicians who are all talk and no action, constantly complaining but never doing anything about it.

The time for empty talk is over. Now arrives the hour of action.

Do not allow anyone to tell you that it cannot be done. No challenge can match the heart and fight and spirit of America. We will not fail. Our country will thrive and prosper again.

Ok, in agreement with this as well. It will take a herculean effort on your part and also on the part of the Republican controlled Congress to make the changes necessary in order to see this happen. The biggest issue I see is that all the empty talk is coming from your own government that you now lead. It’s hard to break 40 years of empty talk and turn it into action, so good luck.

We all enjoy the same glorious freedoms and we all salute the same great American flag.

We may all salute the great American flag, but we surely don’t all enjoy the same glorious freedoms. Social media in the last 18 months is proof that we’re all not living in the same America. You need to work harder, and with a lot of groups that opposed you, to make this statement truthful.

Together we will make America strong again, we will make America wealthy again, we will make America proud again, we will make America safe again.

And, yes, together we will make America great again.

I see empty talk. Now, where’s the action?

Judgement is withheld until after the first 100 days.  To be continued…..