Trump in Davos
by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org – Home – Stephen Lendman)
The World Economic Forum is an annual billionaire’s ball for the super-rich and powerful invited to attend.
Trump arrived on Wednesday ahead of his Friday address. His remarks didn’t surprise, his usual display of hubris and arrogance – filled with disinformation and Big Lies.
Trump: “…America hopes for a future which everyone can prosper and every child can grow up free from violence, poverty, and fear.”
“Over the past year, we have made extraordinary strides in the US. We’re lifting up forgotten communities, creating exciting new opportunities, and helping every American find their path to the American dream. The dream of a great job, a safe home and a better life for their children.”
Fact: Conditions in America were never better for its super-rich and powerful – dismal for most others.
Fact: Unemployment is at Depression-era levels, underemployment the curse of most others with jobs.
Fact: No exciting new opportunities exist for US workers, just hard times made harder by uncaring administrations and lawmakers.
Fact: The American dream is nightmarish for the majority of its citizens and residents.
Trump: America “is once again experiencing strong economic growth.”
Fact: It’s modest at best. Most jobs created are low-wage/poor or no-benefit rotten ones. Most good ones are offshored in low-wage countries.
Trump: “There has never been a better time to hire, to build, to invest and to grow in the united States.”
Fact: Much of corporate America operates abroad, belying Trump’s bravado.
Trump: “(W)e’ve just enacted the most significant tax cuts and reform in American history. We’ve massively cut taxes for the middle class, and small businesses to let working families keep more of their hard earned money.”
Fact: Trump’s “middle class miracle” is a mirage. The vast majority of tax cut benefits go to corporate predators and super-rich households. When the law sunsets in 10 years, most Americans will pay higher taxes.
Trump: “The tax cut bill is expected to raise the average American’s household income by more than $4,000.”
Fact: Baloney! Most Americans get crumbs, too many nothing.
Trump bragged about eliminating regulations in place to protect Americans and the environment. He’s not “freeing” workers. He’s exploiting them more than before.
His “domestic reforms to unleash jobs and growth” constitute a grand deception. Prosperity in the country is for the privileged few at the expense of most others.
Playing by the rules he cited is code language for bending to Washington’s will. Unfair trade is what harms corporate predation.
Trump railed against North Korea’s nuclear program pursued because of feared US aggression.
He lied about nonexistent Iranian support for terrorists. It has no “path to a nuclear weapons” it deplores and wants eliminated.
America isn’t combating ISIS and likeminded terrorist groups. It created and supports them.
“I am pleased…that the coalition…defeat(ed) ISIS and has retaken almost 100% of the territory” they once held.
Fact: Syrian and allied forces, greatly aided by Russian airpower, largely eliminated US-supported ISIS.
Fact: Washington continues recruiting, training, funding, arming and directing terrorist fighters in Syria, used as imperial foot soldiers for regime change and destruction of Syrian sovereignty.
Trump: “In rebuilding America, we are also fully committed to developing our workforce.”
Fact: US workers are exploited, abandoned by Trump, his predecessors, and bipartisan lawmakers, uncaring about their welfare.
Trump: “Represented in this room are shared dreams” – only for the super-rich and powerful, benefitting by exploiting most others.
Trump: “US unemployment is the lowest it’s been in so many decades.”
Fact: It’s around 22%. Over 100 million working-age Americans have no jobs.
Trump’s address combined bluster, bravado, boiler plate and deception – ignoring his wars of aggression and disdain for ordinary people everywhere, at home and abroad.
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