The Trump Administration has spent the first ninety days of its tenure tearing down the very fabric of American Government. The theory appears to be that destruction is a necessary part of any “improvements” that they plan to make. The problem with this particular group of incompetent clowns is that they don’t care about the responsibility to improve the lives of individuals they govern and have no understanding of foreign policy or the world economy. In other words, to revise the old children’s tale “The Emperor has NO CLUE”. The World sees it and so do “we the people.”

Perhaps that is why on weekends and weekdays in the United States, everyday people are coming together to say, “this is not acceptable”. After the initial shock and apprehension of another Trump presidency, people have come out of their safe spaces to join together in protest of ELON MUSK and DOGE but primarily of the entire world view of the 47th president. Americans believe in democracy and want no part of a dictatorship. They do not want a “fake” Christianity that ignores the basic message of Jesus Christ to “love the poor and marginalized.” The illegal and unconstitutional deportation of undocumented and documented persons; without due process, speaks volumes and should serve as a cautionary tale to American citizens. Citizens who could be denied legal recourse if they are wrongly accused of crimes or exercise free speech to oppose the current administration.

The recent protest that was held in Muskingum Park on April 5th was an excellent example of what happens when ordinary people decide to courageously exercise their political muscle. A completely peaceful, almost joyful group of over 500 people of all ages came out on a rainy day to carry signs, listen to speeches and chant in unison.

The most important part of the protest which quickly turned into a celebration was that by coming out of the dark hole of listening to daily reports of this and that public service being dismantled or funding cut to highly successful programs like Head Start, Medicaid or even the long-suffering United States Postal Service; folks came together to express their FAITH in the government that has preserved our union for over 200 years. They shared the HOPE that this present group of malicious actors would be stopped by the Courts (and this is beginning) and ultimately, that LOVE is what will win the day.

Americans respect the spirit of capitalism that has built this country to be an economic power.

However, the ordinary person is also equally proud of communities where people reach out and help others. The spirit of helping others to have access to food, health care and shelter is central to the motivation for the protests. In a federal government that is working together for the greater good these values are important. Unfortunately, the current Congress is more interested in writing a budget that robs the working poor of the safety net of Medicaid, in order to provide extension of tax cuts to wealthy donors who donate to congressional campaigns. Could there be anything more corrupt? The reality is that wealthy corporations acquired their profits on the backs of workers whose wages have rarely kept pace with a company’s profit report. This too is unacceptable and the same folks who are coming out to protest will be coming out to VOTE in State and Federal Elections moving forward.

Do protests make a difference? Yes, they do. The solidarity that is formed when 500 people who don’t know one another come together to express similar values and this continues to happen across the country; eventually the sound is loud enough that it reaches the Halls of Congress. Keep going!

Teresa R. Porter

Marietta, Ohio