Trump America

When I listened to the audience cheer at Trump's inauguration, I couldn't help but think that all those people will be so incredibly disappointed when they realize that Trump failed to make their lives better. Trump has sold them a bill of goods that sounds great on the surface. More jobs. Higher wages with lower taxes. Less terrorism. Those people in attendance ate it up. They were "all in", much like the people that enrolled in Trump University. They were all in on the idea of Trump America. But Trump America has just about as much depth to it as Trump University. It's a gold-colored facade on a dilapidated apartment building. It's a fancy Trump insignia on a second-rate steak. Unfortunately for Trump voters, there won't be any class action lawsuits to help them recoup their losses.

Trump voters will lose their healthcare when Obamacare is repealed without a replacement. Trump voters will lose their jobs when protectionist policies lead to the Trump Recession. Trump voters will lose protections they didn't know they benefited from when government turns to the stick instead of the carrot. If and when (but most likely when) these things happen, it is vitally important that liberals not engage in schadenfreude. I know. I know how hard it will be to take the high road, but ask yourself whether you felt sorry for the retired school teacher who invested her entire life savings in a degree from Trump University. She was a victim, as are the people who bought in to the idea of Trump America. Unfortunately for the rest of us, we're all along for the ride, but the path to making progress is to help those people see the error of their ways. If a single person gloats or says "I told you so!", those voters will only get further entrenched in their views. The looming disaster will be an opportunity to help people see the difference between political speak and a long con.