This will be the first in a series of pieces in response to a post going around on social media. I want to address some “truths” laid out there, many of which are just not or do not tell the whole story. It’s interesting to note that, if you do an internet search on these items, you will see that most are almost verbatim from the first entry on Google. Clearly, no real research was done in presenting these “facts.” I appreciate and fully support the right we have in the US to speak our mind and to have/share our own opinions, but I believe that, in order to progress as a democracy, it is crucial to think critically when taking information in and sharing it.
I am not sure who wrote this, so cannot give credit; it was shared by a friend and I suspect she did not write it. My apologies to the author and, if someone can let me know who wrote it, I will gladly update this post with credit. As noted above, though, many of the following statements were taken verbatim from another source, so that author did not source his/her own writing.
I have not provided sources below, but can if needed.
“What have PRESIDENT TRUMP and his cabinet accomplished?
Here you go.
* Trump recently signed 3 bills to benefit Native people. One gives compensation to the Spokane tribe for loss of their lands in the mid-1900s, one funds Native language programs, and the third gives federal recognition to the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians in Montana.
Generally true, but not the whole story. The Spokane tribe, for example, has lost the ability to claim revenue from the dam, which they were previously entitled to. Additionally, Trump has made (yes, since the signing of these bills) repeated racist and stereotypical remarks about Native Americans which would suggest he isn’t quite as concerned about them as he purports.
* Trump finalized the creation of Space Force as our 6th Military branch.
Do I even need to say anything about this craziness? $738 billion spent on the creation of another branch of the military to defend us against an enemy that doesn’t exist. And the homeless still sleep on the streets and millions are without health care. That the flag has an insignia very similar to a popular TV series should signify to anyone paying attention that this was more a political stunt than anything else.
* Trump signed a law to make cruelty to animals a federal felony so that animal abusers face tougher consequences.👀
Again, true (and appreciated!), but not the whole story. What else did he do? He made significant changes to the Endangered Species Act that are to the detriment of the very animals it was created to protect. He supports the restriction to limiting hunting in National Parks, which would allow bear cubs and their mothers (among others) to be killed in their dens. The list goes on.
* Violent crime has fallen every year he’s been in office after rising during the 2 years before he was elected.
Some violent crimes *have* decreased across the country, but crimes not under this umbrella – rape, vehicle theft, and assaults – have increased. And btw…who says rape is not violent?!?
* Trump signed a bill making CBD and Hemp legal.👀👀
This is true.
* Trump’s EPA gave $100 million to fix the water infrastructure problem in Flint, Michigan.
Also true, although millions of the funds are unaccounted for and not being used on the water problem in Flint.
* Under Trump’s leadership, in 2018 the U.S. surpassed Russia and Saudi Arabia to become the world’s largest producer of crude oil.
True.
* Trump signed a law ending the gag orders on Pharmacists that prevented them from sharing money-saving information.
Again, true. However, his promise was to bring down drug prices and that hasn’t happened. It hasn’t come even close to happening. In fact, Trump has supported Big Pharma and the people directly involved in it. People are dying because the cost of drugs is exorbitant and the assistance to pay for them is simply not available to those needing it the most.
* Trump signed the “Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act” (FOSTA), which includes the “Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act” (SESTA) which both give law enforcement and victims new tools to fight sex trafficking.👀
True and possibly a good thing, in at least some respects. It also has the potential (and does, in some legal and workers’ opinions) to violate First Amendment rights not related to illegal prostitution and trafficking.
* Trump signed a bill to require airports to provide spaces for breastfeeding Moms.
True. And a very good thing, I might add.
* The 25% lowest-paid Americans enjoyed a 4.5% income boost in November 2019, which outpaces a 2.9% gain in earnings for the country’s highest-paid workers.
Wages have been increasing since 2011 (before the 2016 election), but a big portion of this is that the states and local governments have increased the minimum wage over time. The federal minimum wage remains at $7.25, which is not a livable wage, putting a family of 2 at poverty level.
* Low-wage workers are benefiting from higher minimum wages and from corporations that are increasing entry-level pay.
This is not a federal issue and completely out of Trump’s control. All the federal government has to enforce is the federal minimum wage, which is $7.25.
What does it mean to think critically? From the dictionary: “the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment.” Critical thinking here involves looking at what has been shared as “fact,” verifying it, asking how this and the accompanying actions affect the subject as a whole, and exploring how it may affect the future. With the advent of the internet, very few people actually think through things anymore.
I will follow with part 2, which addresses additional “truths,” later today.
The Grey Zone 
I liked and agreed with this whole thing. trump is an idiot!
🙂
Thank you! We all need to look closely at “facts.”
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cool post. I just stumbled upon your post and wished to say that I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog post. After all I’ll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again soon!
Thank you for doing this. I’ve seen the original post espousing all Trump’s many achievements & was overwhelmed at the thought of trying to fact check it. I look forward to your Part II. We’ve all seen results of Trump’s efforts – allowing bears to be killed while in their dens – his efforts to forbid car manufacturers from lowering emission standards – lowering environmental standards to allow sludge from coal mining to leach into waterways, etc. And these are just the minor things he’s tried. His efforts to sell or lease gov’t lands – fracking, etc. Not to overlook his efforts to keep his tax returns hidden, his college grades hidden – he’s just not an ‘above-board’ kind of guy.
Thanks for reading! And for reminding me to follow-up on the rest! LOL