The tax break that Trump is giving to the wealthy will be partially funded by the tariffs he imposes on imported goods. Essentially, the poor and the middle class—or what remains of it—will face a tax increase. Some may argue that the 1% will also pay the same import tax through tariffs, but this overlooks the fact that the wealthy have significantly higher incomes and disposable wealth. Tax breaks and other advantages leave them far less impacted by such measures. The rich spend a much smaller percentage of their income, compared to the average person, on household necessities.

These so-called job-saving measures will only fuel animosity toward the US on the global stage and strain our already fragile relationships with neighboring countries like Mexico and Canada. I believe we should restore tax rates to their levels under President Obama and provide tax incentives for companies that manufacture domestically. In contrast, companies that outsource production overseas, even if headquartered in the US, should be excluded from these benefits and subjected to penalty taxes. These corporations have drained the country of resources that were originally designed to benefit our citizens, including schools, parks, and libraries.

Our federal and state governments should be mandated to purchase all products from US-based manufacturers. Before Ronald Reagan began encouraging the use of vouchers—or effectively permission slips—the federal government was required by law to buy products made in the USA. However, Corporate America pushed to move manufacturing plants overseas, reducing labor costs and profiting at the expense of American jobs and shared prosperity. This shift amounted to a massive cash grab by the oligarchs, which has decimated our economy and stagnated our progress ever since.

These actions have also contributed to the rise of BRICS and the decline of the US as the world’s leading superpower. As Napoleon famously said, “No apple, no state.” Our weakened position has emboldened aggression globally and is exacerbated by our reckless bullying tactics. The US now resembles an aging, staggering boxer, desperately clinging to its former glory. Our recent violent outbursts are emblematic of this desperation.

We could rebuild our nation, but it’s always about the money. This obsession will lead us to win isolated battles but lose the overarching war. These decisions are destroying our children and our future—something even Donald Trump has acknowledged as a wasted opportunity. He has voiced concern about American families not having enough children, but the elites at the top are failing to provide a country or a world that is worthy of them—or the financial means to raise them if they would.

The relentless war on American citizens by the elites continues unabated in every sector. They take more, pay less, provide diminishing value, and offer no meaningful representation. This exploitation persists, casting a bleak shadow over the future of our nation.