A few of our stories and columns are now in front of the paywall. We at The Chief-Leader remain committed to independent reporting on labor and civil service. It's been our mission since 1897. You can have a hand in ensuring that our reporting remains relevant in the decades to come. Consider supporting The Chief, which you can do for as little as $3.20 a month.
To the editor:
Dina Washington sang one of the greatest songs of hope when she intoned, “What a difference a day makes, 24 little hours.”
For Donald Trump, his Day One (24 little hours) has been made up of promises to make America great again in many ways. “I will govern by a simple motto: Promises made, promises kept,” he intoned. Few of promises have so far been kept in a way that helps Americans, but how could that surprise his supporters when Trump never told the truth when a lie would do just as well.
Trump in August 2024: "When I win (the election) I will immediately bring down prices on day one.” What happened: Prices rose along with the tariffs he imposed, and the threats to deport immigrants.
Trump in May 2023: “I’ll have that (the end of the Ukraine War) done in 24 hours.” The war continues, and Trump has gotten nowhere with Vladimir Putin.
Trump: He said he absolutely planned on ending birthright citizenship on Day One, notwithstanding Section 1 of the 14th Amendment protecting birthright citizenship for 160 years.
What happened: Nothing but threats from Trump.
Trump, also in August 2024: He said starting on Day One, he would end inflation, make America affordable again, and bring prices down on all goods. What happened: Prices have gone up and, while inflation is down, Trump’s economic policies have damaged our economy and made uncertainty the only thing that is certain.
But Trump, on Nov. 4, 2024, also slipped, and told the truth: “I can’t guarantee anything. I can’t guarantee tomorrow.”
Michael J Gorman
6 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
krell1349
Promises made, promises NOT kept. All lies so he could get elected and avoid being convicted of the other crimes he committed.
Tuesday, April 22 Report this
JDonne
"Oh What a Tangled Web We Weave When First We Practice to Deceive."
-Sir Walter Scott
Summary:
Donald Trump promised to make America great again on his first day in office, but few of his promises have been realized. Despite his claims, prices rose, the Ukraine war continues, and birthright citizenship remains unchanged.
Rebuttal:
Donald Trump has initiated the process of growth. It requires time for seedlings to develop into a magnificent oak tree. Let us continue this discourse in one year, when the seedlings have grown into an imposing oak tree.
"Mighty Oaks From Little Acorns Grow."
-Geoffrey Chaucer-
Tuesday, April 22 Report this
krell1349
Then that's what he should have said, it will take time. He thinks everything can be done so easily. He oversimplifies. We'll be in the same situation a year from now.
Wednesday, April 23 Report this
reenjoe
It's interesting that Trump needs time, a year or so, for the mighty oak to grow. He did a great job of unraveling more than two years work in a single day, when he sabotaged the Gaza ceasefire by simply saying "I will own it (Gaza)" to Netanyahu. Where will Ukraine be in a year???
The same folks who ask for patience regarding Trump had none for Biden.
Wednesday, April 23 Report this
namrogm
Members of he Trump cult will look for any reason to justify and support Trump's self-serving lies. They know better, but can't admit they voted for a destructive loser. "Faith in Trump" is the mantra. Trump has 4 years if his health holds up. It takes around 25 years for an acorn to grow into a large oak tree. The Met's pitcher, Tug McGraw, famously said "You gotta believe!" The Mets won in 1969. Trump is no Tug McGraw, and American democracy is not baseball.
Wednesday, April 23 Report this
wpeakes
@JDonne
The only deceptions were committed by Trump himself. During the election cycle, he demonstrated that he would say anything to anyone to get elected and it worked. The destabilization of the world's economy since he took office is horrendous: decades of steady progress wiped out in less than 3 months. And exactly whose growth has he initiated the process for? There's been no deliberate, albeit expedited review of where the inefficiencies were; no consultation or collaboration with Congress; no compassion for those who are going to be adversely affected by what being cut...nothing. Just a chainsaw-wielding, gleeful Elon Musk hacking away at our government, getting even more contracts for his businesses, and, among other things, getting unlawful access to the sensitive personal and private information for all U.S. residents. If Trump had been honest from the beginning, expectations may not have been so high to now be let down so unceremoniously harshly. Instead, he just lied and continues to do so.
Wednesday, April 23 Report this