EDITORIAL
DEBUNKING TRUMP’S
PHONY FISCAL ORDERS
The founders of this country did not want the president
to be a king — an all-encompassing ruler in
control of every facet of government.
That’s why they created three co-equal branches
of government, checks and balances between them,
and elections. That’s why we give Congress control of
the budget, and demand that legislators and the president
work together to fund the nation’s operations.
But President Trump doesn’t care about the system
of government that’s held this country together for 244
years. Neither, it seems, do Republicans who’ve seemingly
ceded all of their legislative control to him.
Trump thinks a series of executive orders he signed
over the weekend, purportedly to provide financial
help during the ongoing economic crisis, have validity.
They don’t.
Despite what Trump thinks, he can’t just order unemployment
benefits to be paid out. He can’t just suspend
the collection of payroll taxes. Like it or not, he
needs Congressional approval to do such things. That’s
the law. Trump claims his order, which purportedly authorizes
a $400 boost to unemployment insurance payments,
is somehow a win for jobless Americans — but
they’re short $200 from the previous enhancement that
expired on July 31.
And Trump has saddled the states with 25 percent of
the cost for the benefit boost — at a time when the states
can least afford another economic burden.
Meanwhile, Trump’s purported payroll tax freeze
doesn’t forgive businesses and workers from their responsibilities
through the end of the year. That will
lead to a payroll tax increase down the line for every
business and working American. And how exactly does
a payroll tax break put money back in the pocket of an
American who doesn’t have a job?
Trump’s economic executive orders might be among
the biggest lies he’s presented to the American people
in his tenure. Their validity is suspect, and they do not
provide substantial relief at a time the country needs
all the help it can get.
Congressional Democrats and Republicans still
have a job to do, and they must do it. The Democrats
want a big stimulus package passed, while Republicans
seem content to laze about and let Trump do whatever
he wants while collecting their fat, taxpayer-funded
paychecks and benefits.
Regardless of party, House and Senate members
are obligated now to stand up and work for the American
people. They must not allow the president to be an
absolute ruler.
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President Donald Trump’s economic executive orders might be among the biggest lies he’s presented to the
American people in his tenure. Photo via Getty Images
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