OPINION: ‘King’ Trump’s actions transform ‘Washington’ matters into local issues

Several weeks ago, we listened as a candidate for a position representing this state consistently went out of the way to insist candidates for that position should focus on or concern themselves with local issues and not get caught up in “Washington politics.” While we understood the position to refer to national politics, it was almost as if there was disdain for the federal government itself, a disdain akin to the slur one often heard when Confederate sympathizers referred to federal officials as “the feds.” 

The main point which seems to be glossed over is that it is often difficult to clearly separate what is local from what is not. With the ascendancy of Donald Trump to the presidency, he has functioned in such a manner as to blur the line or obliterate the distinctions. As many of us predicted, he has proceeded to rule primarily by issuing executive orders, depending upon the Supreme Court to uphold his orders, and by brow-beating Republican congresspersons into passing legislation he desires. (It is reminiscent of an absolute dictator or a mob boss.) With him, it has been egotistical or personal, no matter the level.

Since he has appointed or secured the favor of the majority on the court and conservative Republicans have taken control of the House and Senate, there is no significant opposition to his actions or kingly tendencies. He has proceeded to act as a king would do, and to do so without regard for what is legal or illegal; without regard for what is local or national.

For the purposes of this discussion, we turn to several matters that may be national in terms of rhetoric, but play out locally. 

(1) Using executive orders, Trump has initiated tariffs on some items from other countries, driving up consumer prices in every local community. These tariffs and support for or opposition to them should be an issue for debate by candidates seeking to represent the state. 

(2) Support for and opposition to actions failing to protect affordable healthcare insurance premiums may be a national budgetary issue, but can result in local hospital closures and premature deaths, and thus should be an issue for debate by candidates seeking to represent the state. 

(3) As executive orders have led to local raids, arrests, and removal of immigrants, even American citizens, on a racial or ethnic basis and without due process, candidates should debate their positions on such matters. 

(4) The appointment and the investigation of agency heads dealing with matters of local import, such as education and public health, are topics candidates should debate. 

(5) The idea of using military troops and National Guard personnel, at home or abroad, for actions not covered by the law or approved by the respective governors, should be debated. Cities have been occupied and people killed based upon Trump’s national rhetoric. 

Obviously, the list of such debatable items can and should be expanded because local residents need to know where the candidates stand on such critical matters that may be national in scope but which have local impact. 

It also is imperative that candidates share their local and national affiliations and associations with the public. This would help voters understand how the candidates will be able to build coalitions to support the positions on which they stand.

As Trump continues to try to act like a king, citizens must continue to seek and support candidates able to coalesce, preserve, promote, and advance the idea of democracy and human rights for all people. There is truth in the saying that all politics are local, but we must realize that in order to be the “united” states of America, we must come together on the critical matters staring us in the face at both the local and national levels.