The following post, written by The Rev. Robert A. Franek, is a part of Politicus Policy Discussion, in which writers draw connections between real lives and public policy.
Has it only been two weeks, well two weeks and two days? Already the cost of the new administration on the lives of ordinary people is beyond belief. And I don’t just mean the financial costs whether of security at Trump Tower in New York City, his reckless executive orders, or his vacation this weekend. Keeping track of these costs is important and necessary, especially since this is the party that claims to value fiscal responsibility and reduced government spending (or does that only apply when speaking of those who are poor, disenfranchised, and caught in a system of oppression).
In addition to financial costs, there are also human costs in worry, stress, and fear. There are the opportunity costs of protesting his incompetent and irresponsible actions rather than advocating for positive change. There are costs to the environment that impact the ecosystems of plants and trees, rivers and lakes, fish and animals which ultimately affect the lives of every person on the planet.
Donald Trump’s now temporarily blocked Muslim ban created chaos at airports, tore families apart, and kept refugees from reaching safer communities. More at least one child was delayed getting much needed medical care. So much needless human pain and suffering caused by an illegal, unconstitutional, and immoral executive order hastily implemented and with no factual basis in achieving the intent to keep Americans safe.
Keeping Americans safe is easier said than done by this new administration. polling to prove it, the American people are not happy and are coming out in droves to protest the taxing effects of the new administration on the people of this country and around the world.
Like the financial costs to the taxpayers of this country, these human costs will continue to add up, and for anyone with a moral compass these costs are far more concerning and troubling.
The moral resistance to the new administration has at its heart the human costs to people in this country and around the world. The resistance will not stop until the fundamental human rights of all people are assured and no longer under threat.