Dear Donald,
If you really want to make America great again, it’s critical to remember that upholding basic human rights are the most valuable in achieving that greatness. I’ve made a list of these rights for you to consider every time you go about the task of setting policy for America.
Everyone has the right to:
- clean air to breathe
- clean water to drink
- healthy food to eat
- an ability to support themselves
- excellent medical care
- an excellent education
- time enough for creative and recreational endeavors
- the truth
- be treated with dignity (even when given a mandatory time-out)
On clean air and water – The EPA is all we have in this country to help keep our air clean and our water pure. It isn’t perfect, but it’s far better than nothing. You should work to improve it.
On healthy food – The FDA is all we have in this country to help keep our food safe. It too isn’t perfect, but it also is better than nothing. You should work to improve it.
On jobs – We all appreciate your efforts to help people find jobs. However, a simplistic approach to bully companies to manufacture here in the U.S. isn’t the answer. Technology will make many jobs obsolete. The answer is to have a forward- looking approach. Create a team to help you identify the jobs of the future then figure out ways to educate Americans to fill those jobs.
On medical care – There are other countries that provide good medical care for their citizens at a fraction of the cost paid in the U.S. Why not use the best policies and methods used in other countries instead of trying to reinvent the wheel?
On education – Finland has an excellent educational system Why not use some of their strategies to provide our children with the same advantages? If we educate our kids, they will be the future innovators here in the U.S.
On creativity – It is no life for the average family when both husband and wife must hold down a job and sometimes more than one job just to survive. In Sweden, citizens live longer, suffer less infant mortality and have more free time than Americans. Doesn’t that make you just a little curious?
On lying – I don’t know about you, but I trust people who tell me the truth and don’t trust those that lie. If you believe the lies you tell, you should seek the help of a good psychologist. I know you can afford it.
On prisons – Finally, you should take a close look at our broken prison system. We have one of the highest incarceration rates in the world with a 52% recidivism rate. Compare that to Norway’s 20% recidivism rate. Our system is in dire need of overhaul. This is a complex problem that will require fine minds to come up with solutions.
Young disadvantaged young men with testosterone surging through their bodies are part of the problem. Do you remember when your dad sent you to military school? Had he not, you may well have ended up in trouble. Your dad could afford to send you to a military school to help you rein in your aggression and learn discipline. The young men on the street don’t have wealthy dads.
One of my favorite songs “In the Ghetto” was sung by Elvis Presley. The setting is Chicago and it addresses this problem. You might want to listen to it here.
I wish you all the best in finding solutions to America’s problems. Just be careful not to blame the wrong people, like immigrants. We are a land of immigrants. You and I are both the children of immigrants.
Love,
Mama Vic
P.S. If you agree that Donald Trump should set his policies based on basic human rights, just type “agree” in the comments below.
