By Alex Frandsen, editorial columnist
Late last week, President Donald J. Trump revealed his proposed budget for discretionary spending. Like most of the developments coming out of the White House these days, it was met with much controversy and uproar. And like with most of the developments coming out of the White House these days, the uproar was warranted.
The core of Trump’s proposal centers on one thing: Making our military even bigger and badder than before. He wants to increase the defense budget by $54 billion, a near 10 percent bump in funding for a military that already spends far more than any other country. He also wants to increase the Homeland Security budget by 7 percent, along with a 6 percent jump in financial support for Veteran Affairs.
To make up for that spending spree, scores of crucial agencies would see their federal funding slashed. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would lose a third of its budget, the State Department would lose 29 percent of its budget and the Agricultural, Education and Health and Human Services departments would be just a few of the other agencies missing out on huge chunks of money. I could go on, but merely listing all the soon-to-be significantly poorer government entities would probably take up half of the column.
On the most basic strategic level, Trump’s cuts could have dire consequences. By slashing the EPA’s budget, the president severely handicaps our nation’s ability to protect our most precious resource—the land. By slashing the State Department budget and pumping money into the military coffers, the United States is simply reinforcing the same failed tactics abroad that have mired us in a myriad of conflicts. Guns first, diplomacy later.
Again, I could go on and on about the vicious cause and effect cycles Trump would initiate with his desired cuts. But, for a moment, let’s step back and look at the broader picture of what Trump’s budget reflects.
Joe Biden, our favorite ex-vice presidential grandpa, once famously said, “Don’t tell me what you value. Show me your budget, and I’ll tell you what you value.” That little maxim might have never applied quite so perfectly as it does to Trump. The only areas Trump proposes an increase in are related to our military. Everything else falls by the wayside. Education? Not a concern for Trump. Affordable housing? Overrated. Support for small businesses, a classic conservative linchpin? Even that is clearly not crucial for Trump.
The president, as is now evident, is not actually concerned with making America great again. If he were, he would be investing in the futures of the nation’s children by improving the Department of Education. He would be working to protect the environment and combat climate change, which could destroy homes and cause irreparable economic damage. He would be trying to improve the country from within instead of building up our walls and firepower.
No, Trump is only concerned with making himself seem strong. He believes that more guns and stricter border control will paint the United States as a country not to be trifled with.
And in a sense, he might be right. If the budget passes, other countries will look at our nation and steer clear. But not because we’re powerful and mighty. They would steer clear because they see a country that values fights over words, brashness and loudness over intellect.
Trump’s budget is not just a realignment of finances. It is a reflection of the twisted road he wants to lead us down.
