From the time I endorsed President Donald Trump as a candidate to his Jan. 20 inauguration, it has been a long journey. I recall many fellow Republicans telling me that he was a big-government liberal or that he was unelectable. He defied conventional wisdom, crushed 16 Republican primary opponents, and won 31 states and 85 percent of America’s counties in his general election victory.
I enjoyed watching his inauguration along with about 200 other Republicans at Parson Jack’s Café off of Glenn McConnell Parkway. Many came up to me and expressed that I had Trump figured out many months ago. There was a feeling of exuberance in the room.
While most of the American and international media characterized President Trump’s inauguration speech as “dark,” I saw it as hopeful and aspirational. Here are some themes I noted in the 14-minute speech:
• End of politics as usual. He said of the federal government, “We are transferring power from Washington, DC and giving it back to you, the American people.” Trump criticized career politicians from both parties: “We will no longer accept politicians who are all talk and no action. The time for empty talk is over. Do not let anyone tell you it can’t be done. No challenge can match the heart and fight and spirit of America.”
• Listen to the forgotten men and women. “Jan. 20, 2017 will be remembered as the day the people became the rulers of this nation again. The forgotten men and women of this country will be forgotten no longer. Everyone is listening to you now!”
• Restore the American Dream for millions. “We will get people off welfare back to work, rebuilding our country with American hands. We must think big and dream bigger. In America, we understand that a nation is only living as long as it’s striving.” I wish he had addressed boosting median household income, which is lower than it was a decade ago.
• Rebuild our crumbling inner cities. “For too many of our citizens, a different reality exists. Mothers and children are trapped in poverty in our inner cities. We have an education system flush with cash which leaves our young and beautiful students deprived of knowledge. The crime and gangs and drugs have stolen too many lives and robbed our country of so much unrealized potential.”
• America First economic policy. “Every decision on trade, taxes, on immigration and on foreign affairs will be made to benefit American workers and American families. For many decades, we have enriched foreign industry at the expense of American industry. One by one, the (American) factories shuttered and left our shores, with not even a thought about the millions upon millions of American workers left behind. The wealth of our middle class has been ripped from their homes.”
• Bring Americans together. “The Bible tells us how good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity. We must speak our minds openly, debate our disagreements honestly but always pursue solidarity. When America is united, America is totally unstoppable.”
• Renewal. “We, the citizens of America, are now joined in a great national effort to rebuild our country and restore its promise for all of our people. Together, we will determine the course of America and the world for years to come.”
There are many reasons for optimism as the 45th President takes the helm. A recent poll shows that optimism for America’s future is now at 66 percent versus 49 percent 12 months ago. In the months between the Nov. 8 election and Jan. 20 inauguration, consumer confidence has risen significantly. A recent poll by the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) showed the largest increase in small business confidence since Dec. 1980, before Ronald Reagan was sworn in. An increasing number of small businesses plan to expand and hire within the next year.
John Steinberger is the editor-in-chief of LowcountrySource.com. to contact him, email John@LowcountrySource.com.
