Showing posts with label healthcare. Show all posts
Showing posts with label healthcare. Show all posts

Thursday, April 17, 2025

Wealth Over Welfare: America's Trade of Care and Empathy Under POTUS47 Trump

America's Trade of Care and Empathy for Wealth Under POTUS47: A Critical Look at Trump's 2nd Ridiculous Term...

On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States, beginning his second, non-consecutive term. The ceremony, held indoors due to inclement weather, symbolized the beginning of a new era in American politics. However, beneath the rhetoric of national pride and renewed strength, there remains a central question: How has America, particularly under Trump’s leadership, traded care and empathy for the pursuit of wealth and power?

The Shift Toward Wealth Over Welfare

One of the most striking features of Trump's first term was his administration's prioritization of corporate interests and economic growth, often at the expense of social programs designed to care for vulnerable populations. As POTUS47, Trump has continued these policies, signaling an ongoing commitment to wealth-driven governance.

Trump’s inaugural address, filled with nationalistic fervor and a renewed focus on “America First,” laid the groundwork for policies that further reflect a shift away from care-oriented governance. His declaration of a national emergency at the southern border and his focus on increasing domestic oil production, while touted as moves for national security and energy independence, also underscore an administration committed to business expansion and economic growth, sometimes at the expense of social justice and environmental concerns.

Immigration Policies and the Erosion of Empathy

A key example of this trade-off can be seen in Trump’s continued stance on immigration. His second term began with a focus on building the border wall and further restricting immigration, including the expansion of the “Remain in Mexico” policy. While these measures were framed as necessary for national security, they also represent a hardened stance toward vulnerable populations, particularly refugees and asylum seekers.

Instead of offering compassion and empathy toward those fleeing violence and hardship, the administration’s approach prioritizes economic concerns—namely, the protection of jobs for American workers and reducing the strain on social services. This underscores a broader theme of prioritizing wealth and national interests over humanitarian considerations.

Economic Policies: Wealth Over Welfare

Trump's tax policies, particularly the tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations, further reinforce the trend of valuing economic power over the collective well-being of the American people. In his first term, Trump’s tax cuts disproportionately benefited the wealthiest individuals and large corporations, exacerbating income inequality. Despite this, Trump has continued to champion these policies, arguing that they stimulate job growth and economic prosperity. Yet, the reality for millions of Americans remains that these policies have failed to substantially improve wages for the working class or address the systemic issues of poverty.

In his second term, Trump has shown no signs of shifting away from this economic model. His focus on deregulation and bolstering corporate profits stands in stark contrast to the unmet needs of millions of Americans struggling with healthcare, housing, and education. This economic framework, which favors wealth accumulation for the few, continues to prioritize profit over the social care systems that could benefit the broader population.

Healthcare: Profit Over People

A glaring example of America's trade-off of care for wealth is in the healthcare system. Under Trump’s leadership, the focus has largely been on preserving the interests of private insurance companies and pharmaceutical giants. Attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) during Trump’s first term without providing a viable replacement resulted in millions of Americans remaining without adequate healthcare coverage. Rather than prioritizing universal healthcare or making healthcare more accessible, the Trump administration’s policies largely favored corporate interests, with little regard for the societal benefits of universal care.

In his second term, Trump’s emphasis on deregulation and reducing government involvement in healthcare could further entrench the private sector's hold over medical services, potentially deepening the divide between those who can afford necessary treatments and those who cannot.

Environmental Policy: Profits Over Planet

Trump’s environmental policies have also reflected this trend. His administration has rolled back numerous environmental regulations, allowing industries such as oil and coal to operate with fewer restrictions. While these policies have been lauded by business interests for stimulating economic growth and creating jobs, they have come at a significant cost to the environment and public health.

The administration’s focus on short-term economic gains, such as increased fossil fuel production, directly conflicts with the long-term health and well-being of the planet and its inhabitants. In this context, the needs of the environment—and by extension, the health and future of the American people—have been subordinated to the interests of wealthy corporations with ties to the fossil fuel industry.

National Security and Military: A Focus on Power Over People

Trump’s actions in the realm of national security also reflect a prioritization of power over the well-being of everyday Americans. His rehabilitation of military personnel who were discharged over COVID-19 vaccination refusals and his broader focus on strengthening the military are emblematic of an administration that places national might over the care of its citizens in areas like public health and welfare. While military strength is often framed as necessary for the protection of the nation, the emphasis on military power without equal attention to healthcare, education, and social services suggests a system that values strength and wealth over the care of its people.

A Divided Vision for America

Ultimately, Trump’s second term as POTUS47 stands as a continuation of the policies that have led America to place wealth and economic power above the needs of its citizens. Whether through his immigration policies, tax cuts, deregulation of business, or approach to healthcare and the environment, the Trump administration prioritizes the interests of the wealthy and powerful over those of the broader population. As a result, the country continues to struggle with deepening inequality, a lack of universal access to basic services, and a failure to address pressing social and environmental issues.

In this context, America has increasingly traded care and empathy for wealth, with the rich benefiting from policies designed to protect their interests, while many Americans face greater challenges in securing their health, safety, and dignity. The question remains: Will the focus shift toward a more empathetic and care-driven society, or will the pursuit of wealth continue to dominate America’s political landscape? The answer will likely shape the future of the nation for years to come.


Compiled with aid of ChatGPT


Sunday, March 16, 2025

What Would Our Missing 1 Million COVID-19 Dead Think Today?

As of March 2025, the United States has reported approximately 1,222,603 deaths due to COVID-19. Some of them died still believing in the Trump disinformation campaign. Many died horrified they ever believed Trump or voted for him...

The missing one million

More than one million Americans died during the Covid-19 pandemic. Five years later, they remain largely invisible.

The question of how the "missing 1 million" Americans who died from COVID-19 would vote is an interesting and speculative one, as it's impossible to know their individual preferences. However, we can make some broad inferences based on various factors:

Now, if only all those still living and still supporting Donald Trump, could just see before they too die, for they kill our country, seeing it live on as an autocracy, an oligarchy, a kakistocracy... the dire reality of our current situation that they had a lot to do with bringing into our reality.

There is still time...if we can wrest control from these unAmerican actors under the Trump and MaGA authoritarian umbrella and bring America back to what our Founding Fathers had originally intended:

A nation based on freedom, self-governance, Laws, and the protection of individual rights. They sought to escape Tyranny and build a government with limited power, ensuring people’s freedoms were protected and giving them a voice in how their government protected them, and their interests...rather than the interests of merely the few and the powerful.

Compiled with aid of ChatGPT



Friday, February 8, 2013

The HealthCare Disease after Heart Disease

NOTE: I just wanted to say, to those of you who have donated money to help this family out this week, from them and myself, Thank You So Much!

A very good friend of mine recently had a serious scare in his life. He almost lost the person closest to him in his life, aside from his daughter, that is.

I've known him since I was having trouble in my own life back in 1992 around the time we first met. He was the nicest guy in the world and working at a local establishment that has a fond spot in my heart. A local brew pub called The Big Time Ale House on the "Ave" in the "U District" in Seattle. My marriage was disintegrating around me. I had a four year old boy. I had bills. I ended up living in a house where I rented a room from the woman who was leasing the house. It was a sad period in my life.

At one point, I was working two full time jobs so that I could get enough money to buy my son a Christmas present. I had been eating top ramen for my one meal per day. I got a second job at a bakery making Pasty's. I was working for a Ex Pat Brit who also ran a Pub on the "Ave" called The Unicorn. During this time I was hanging with this friend in my off time when he was available. A bright light in an otherwise dark period.

Then he moved to California for a while and we lost touch. After a whille he moved up to Portland and eventually got married and had a daughter, Mollie. Recently his wife, had a medical scare and we were quite worried but she came through it. They came through it, but as our health care is in America (and don't get me started on that topic), they are now left with bills from it.

They are good people, they are hard working, small business people. The started a business last year cleaning houses. The two of them. Now, just he can do it. They got their dream started up, things were going well, then this happened. To me, they are the cream of America, and they need help.

If you've ever had a medical condition and came through it, but were left with large bills from it, then you know that the bills can be almost as devestating emotionally, as the original condition that almost killed you. I never understood that about healthcare. "Great, I survived, but the stress is killing me anyway and I may have a heart attack just from that!"

The other day, on her own, their daughter Mollie put up a donations page. They didn't ask for it. She just wanted to do something to help. So I figured that the least I could do, after donating what I could, was to give others the opportunity to help too. If everyone that reads my blog were to donate $10, just $10, it would pay off their medical bills.

So, please, consider it.

All I want to do now is to post their daughter's words from her donations page and, if you feel moved, please help them out with anything. $20? $10? Even $5 would help, if enough people donated.

So here she is and thank you for your time and consideration. This isn't something you will ever see me do very often.

My name is Mollie and I am 18 years old. On December 26, my mom began experiencing severe chest pains. I called 911, not knowing what was really happening as they drove her to the nearest hospital. The next day, after testing, doctors informed us that she had a minor heart attack and needed to be moved to a bigger hospital where she could have her Angiogram. A few days later the heart surgeon suggested a triple bypass as her best option. For a diabetic with heart disease and three stints put in 11 years ago, he believed that bypass surgery would be the most beneficial to her. We were all scared, but we encouraged her to go through with the surgery.
December 31 my mother had her surgery. After many anxious hours I got word that all went well, though she ended up needing a quadruple bypass instead of a triple. January 5, 2013 my mom came home. Though she is getting better every day, she is still in the process of recovering. 
My parents own a house cleaning business; however, since my mother will be out of work for up to four months my dad has completely taken over, while I stay at home. I am a full time college student, while also taking care of my mom in her recovery. 

With a huge amount of hospital bills, regular expenses, the cost of medication, and daily needs, we are very tight on money. We understand everyone is going through hard times right now, so any amount will help. Thank you for listening to our story and support my family in this difficult time. God bless.

So, that was Mollie. Thank you for your time.

Here is the link to the donations page.

Monday, February 4, 2013

The Healthcare Disease after Heart Disease

NOTE: I just wanted to say, to those of you who have donated money to help this family out this week, from them and myself, Thank You So Much!

A very good friend of mine recently had a serious scare in his life. He almost lost the person closest to him in his life, aside from his daughter, that is.

I've known him since I was having trouble in my own life back in 1992 around the time we first met. He was the nicest guy in the world and working at a local establishment that has a fond spot in my heart. A local brew pub called The Big Time Ale House on the "Ave" in the "U District" in Seattle. My marriage was disintegrating around me. I had a four year old boy. I had bills. I ended up living in a house where I rented a room from the woman who was leasing the house. It was a sad period in my life.

At one point, I was working two full time jobs so that I could get enough money to buy my son a Christmas present. I had been eating top ramen for my one meal per day. I got a second job at a bakery making Pasty's. I was working for a Ex Pat Brit who also ran a Pub on the "Ave" called The Unicorn. During this time I was hanging with this friend in my off time when he was available. A bright light in an otherwise dark period.

Then he moved to California for a while and we lost touch. After a whille he moved up to Portland and eventually got married and had a daughter, Mollie. Recently his wife, had a medical scare and we were quite worried but she came through it. They came through it, but as our health care is in America (and don't get me started on that topic), they are now left with bills from it.

They are good people, they are hard working, small business people. The started a business last year cleaning houses. The two of them. Now, just he can do it. They got their dream started up, things were going well, then this happened. To me, they are the cream of America, and they need help.

If you've ever had a medical condition and came through it, but were left with large bills from it, then you know that the bills can be almost as devestating emotionally, as the original condition that almost killed you. I never understood that about healthcare. "Great, I survived, but the stress is killing me anyway and I may have a heart attack just from that!"

The other day, on her own, their daughter Mollie put up a donations page. They didn't ask for it. She just wanted to do something to help. So I figured that the least I could do, after donating what I could, was to give others the opportunity to help too. If everyone that reads my blog were to donate $10, just $10, it would pay off their medical bills.

So, please, consider it.

All I want to do now is to post their daughter's words from her donations page and, if you feel moved, please help them out with anything. $20? $10? Even $5 would help, if enough people donated.

So here she is and thank you for your time and consideration. This isn't something you will ever see me do very often.

My name is Mollie and I am 18 years old. On December 26, my mom began experiencing severe chest pains. I called 911, not knowing what was really happening as they drove her to the nearest hospital. The next day, after testing, doctors informed us that she had a minor heart attack and needed to be moved to a bigger hospital where she could have her Angiogram. A few days later the heart surgeon suggested a triple bypass as her best option. For a diabetic with heart disease and three stints put in 11 years ago, he believed that bypass surgery would be the most beneficial to her. We were all scared, but we encouraged her to go through with the surgery.
December 31 my mother had her surgery. After many anxious hours I got word that all went well, though she ended up needing a quadruple bypass instead of a triple. January 5, 2013 my mom came home. Though she is getting better every day, she is still in the process of recovering. 
My parents own a house cleaning business; however, since my mother will be out of work for up to four months my dad has completely taken over, while I stay at home. I am a full time college student, while also taking care of my mom in her recovery. 

With a huge amount of hospital bills, regular expenses, the cost of medication, and daily needs, we are very tight on money. We understand everyone is going through hard times right now, so any amount will help. Thank you for listening to our story and support my family in this difficult time. God bless.

So, that was Mollie. Thank you for your time.

Here is the link to the donations page.