McLean County Times

     America is at a crossroads. Over the next month, American citizens must choose who will lead this country – Donald J. Trump or Kamala Harris. The choices we make now will have significant consequences for the future of this nation and, indeed, the world. Now is the time for serious reflection. (Click on the title above to continue reading if necessary.)

     Above all, Americans want this nation to prosper. To prosper means to thrive, succeed, or flourish, particularly regarding wealth, health, or overall well-being. It can refer to achieving financial success, but it can also mean growing in other areas of life, such as personal fulfillment, happiness, or spiritual growth. Prosperity generally implies a state of abundance and positive progress, materially, emotionally, or socially.

     So, what does it take for America to prosper, and how does this relate to whom we select as the next president of the United States? Americans want and need several vital elements to prosper. Here are ten items essential to creating the foundation for a prosperous society where individuals can reach their full potential.

     Economic Opportunity – Americans want access to good jobs, fair wages, and the chance to build wealth through hard work and innovation. They don’t want things handed to them on a silver platter. No, they want to set their own course and make their own decisions regarding their economic interests.

     Personal Freedom – Americans desire to live, work, and express themselves freely without unnecessary government interference. In short, they don’t want the government to tell them what they may and may not do.

     Security – Americans want physical safety and national security, ensuring a stable environment for families and communities. They don’t want their communities filled with property crimes, illicit drugs, and gang violence.

     Quality Education – Americans want access to quality education for their children that will prepare them for success in a competitive economy and a technologically advanced society. Parents don’t like the government or school promoting such things as politically correct diversity-equity-inclusion practices, transgender ideology, and revisionist history at the expense of educational essentials such as reading, writing, math, science, and social studies.

     Affordable Healthcare – Americans want access to medical care that allows individuals to maintain good health without significant financial hardship. They want basic preventive healthcare for everyone and special help for hardship cases. They want help for the helpless.

     Strong Communities—Americans want a supportive, connected society that fosters community services, social cooperation, family values, and civic engagement. They want a civil society where citizens can work together for the common good. They don’t want to be polarized and set against one another for the benefit of a few at the expense of the many.

     Equal Opportunity—Americans want a fair chance to succeed, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, country of origin, or other background, ensuring that hard work and talent are rewarded. They call for equal opportunity rather than equality in outcomes. They believe that the best society is based on meritocracy, not handouts.

     Rule of Law—Americans want a justice system that upholds the rights of every individual and protects them from crime and corruption. They believe that perpetrators’ rights should never triumph over the victims’ and that criminals should be prosecuted for crimes. No one should be considered above the law, and everyone should be held equally accountable.

     Stable Economy – Americans want economic growth, low inflation, and a manageable cost of living that enables families to thrive. They desire a rising standard of living with increasing benefits for everyone.

     Infrastructure – Americans want access to reliable transportation, clean water, and modern technology that supports daily life and business.

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     In a recent op-ed, I noted that “past is prologue.” That is, past events set the stage for the future. This statement suggests that history or prior experiences shape what is happening now and in the future. In modern parlance, this implies that the past can help predict the future. If true, we can look at the 2017-2021 Trump administration to better understand what we might expect when Donald Trump is re-elected.

     From 2017-2021, the Trump administration implemented various policies that supporters argue helped America prosper economically, strengthen national security, and promote conservative values. Some of the key actions include:

     Economic Growth and Tax Cuts – The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (2017) was a critical legislative success of the Trump administration. It notably decreased corporate tax rates from 35% to 21% and lowered individual income tax rates for many Americans. Proponents argue that this led to increased business investment and higher wages. Additionally, the administration rolled back numerous energy, finance, and manufacturing regulations, claiming that reducing bureaucratic obstacles spurred economic growth and business expansion. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. saw historically low unemployment rates, particularly among African American, Hispanic, and Asian American workers, which the administration attributed to its tax cuts, deregulation, and pro-business policies.

     Energy Production – During the Trump administration, the U.S. reached energy independence. By prioritizing “energy dominance,” the administration boosted domestic oil and gas production by expanding offshore drilling, approving the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines, and loosening environmental regulations. As a result, the U.S. became a net energy exporter for the first time in decades.

     Trade Policies – President Trump’s administration replaced the flawed North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), incorporating updated labor provisions, environmental standards, and intellectual property protections. The administration also took a firm stance against China’s aggressive policies toward the U.S. and the global market. It imposed or increased tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of Chinese goods, aiming to reduce the trade deficit and address what it viewed as unfair trade practices, such as intellectual property theft and forced technology transfers.

     Judicial Appointments – President Trump appointed three conservative Supreme Court justices—Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett—along with more than 200 federal judges. These appointments are expected to have a lasting impact on American law, particularly in areas such as abortion, gun rights, and religious freedom. Notably, these judicial appointments played a crucial role in overturning Roe v. Wade, returning the issue of abortion to the states for individual decision-making.

     Immigration and Border Security – Trump prioritized securing the U.S.-Mexico border, overseeing the construction of hundreds of miles of new border wall, and enforcing stricter immigration laws. These efforts led to a historic reduction in illegal border crossings and curbed the flow of illicit drugs. Additionally, Trump implemented the “Remain in Mexico” policy, requiring asylum seekers at the southern border to stay in Mexico while their cases were processed, aiming to deter illegal immigration. He also introduced travel bans on several predominantly Muslim countries, citing national security concerns.

     Criminal Justice Reform—In 2018, Trump signed the First Step Act into law, marking a bipartisan effort to reform the federal prison system. The legislation reduced mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent offenders and expanded rehabilitative services to lower recidivism rates and address racial disparities in sentencing.

     Foreign Policy and Defense – President Trump boosted defense spending, focusing on rebuilding the military and modernizing its capabilities, including creating the Space Force as a new armed forces branch. He also played a crucial role in brokering several Middle East peace agreements, notably the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and Arab nations such as the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Additionally, Trump withdrew the U.S. from international agreements like the Paris Climate Accord and the Iran nuclear deal, arguing they were harmful to U.S. interests.

     Health Care and Prescription Drug Costs – The Trump administration enacted the Right to Try Act, allowing terminally ill patients to access experimental drugs not yet fully approved by the FDA, expanding their treatment options. Additionally, the administration pursued policies to reduce drug prices, including permitting states to import less expensive prescription drugs and advocating for increased price transparency in healthcare.

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     The Trump administration credited these policies, particularly the tax cuts, deregulation, and trade actions, with creating economic prosperity pre-pandemic. However, critics argue that some policies had long-term risks or contributed to inequality.

     So, back to the original question about what Americans need to prosper. The answer is simple. We need to return former President Trump to the White House so he can correct the massive failures of the Biden-Harris administration and put this great nation back on the path to prosperity.