By James B. Ewers Jr. Ed. D.
Have you ever been around a bully?
My friends and I saw one on a street corner when we were in elementary school. He spoke to us, and we spoke to him.
Upon reflection, he must have surmised that our milk money of ten cents wasn’t worth the aggravation.
It wasn’t too long before he left the corner. We never found out what happened to him. We think he ran afoul of the law.
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Usually that is what happens to bullies. They get into trouble and if they don’t straighten up, they go to juvenile detention or to jail when they are older.
Some pundits believe that in January, we’ll get a bully in the White House. So far, the incoming president is getting anything and everything he wants. The Republicans think they are in control of the House of Representatives and the US Senate.
Wrong! The incoming president controls the House and the Senate.
In the coming weeks and months, he is going to try to impose his will on the GOP.
Will they be able to stand up to him? We will be watching as this political drama unfolds.
There is still a level of reason and sensibility in both chambers. We know who they are and their policy philosophies. As Americans, we too, will have to stand up and speak out.
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For example, do you think he will be able to dissolve the Affordable Healthcare Act? The answer in my opinion is no.
Elected officials from these red states will get an earful if they try to get rid of it. Rest assured, the Affordable Healthcare Act will remain.
Already, one of his supporters, Rep. Matt Gaetz from Florida had to back out of being nominated for the position of attorney general. Why? The short answer is alleged inappropriate behavior.
Chalk one up for sensible legislators who distanced themselves from him. Records show he removed his name from consideration on November 21. Gaetz has also resigned from Congress.
At this point, Ron DeSantis, governor of Florida is being considered for the post of secretary of defense. It appears that Mr. Trump is growing sour on Pete Hegseth. In other words, the thrill is gone over the Fox News commentator. We know why so there is no need to repeat it here.
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I believe Mr. DeSantis will be confirmed if he is nominated. With this turn of events from Hegseth to DeSantis, the Senate is saying to the next president that you can’t bully us.
Mr. Trump’s nominations are being challenged and so are his conversations with foreign leaders. Just a few weeks ago, the incoming president had a conversation with Mexican president, Claudia Sheinbaum.
He claimed it was a wonderful conversation. President Sheinbaum stated that wasn’t true. Mr. Trump wants to impose a 25% tariff on Mexico to combat the fentanyl problem.
President Sheinbaum said, “Mexico does not produce weapons. We do not produce synthetic drugs. Unfortunately, what we do have is the people who are being killed by the crime that is responding to the demand in your country.”
Mexico’s president will not be intimidated by him.
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada met with Mr. Trump to discuss the relationship between the two countries. Again, Mr. Trump is suggesting a high tariff because of the trade deficit and border issues and if not adhered to wants to make Canada the 51st state. You know what Mr. Trudeau thought of that idea.
I would opine that world leaders are waiting anxiously to see exactly what the new president is going to do. Will his bully tactics and tantrums turn into regulations and laws? That is the question.
Will the Trump administration be desultory lacking a plan or will they be consistent in steering the country in the right direction.
Stay tuned.
Dr. James B. Ewers, Jr. is a longtime educator who hails from Winston Salem, N.C. Ewers is a life member of the NAACP and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
