Trump is reshaping businesses and institutions to benefit him, not voters
Is the US federal government mostly beneficial or detrimental? To the Trump administration and his DOGE cabal, the answer seems to be the latter. But are they right? What impact will their actions have on our economy and freedoms?
I once heard two Mid-Columbian citizens discussing our history: 'The government provided the water, and the farmers took it from there' one said, receiving a nod of agreement. As I reflected, however, it dawned on me how many governmental contributions are ignored, for the government didn't just provide water; they also advanced electricity, roads, ports, schools, police and fire services, Hanford cleanup, airports, grants, subsidies, railroads, etc. Moreover, by establishing land-grant universities, such as WSU, the federal government supplied generous research funds for improving agriculture.
Following WWII, a system was developed whereby federal government agencies, such as the NIH and NSF, furnished our nation's universities with needed research dollars for agriculture, medicine, engineering, science, etc. This often-overlooked funding helped to build our university system into the envy of the world and has been of immense benefit to society. When Trump cuts off federal funding to universities and governmental agencies, he's eliminating important support for medical research, technology, etc.
People often assume that corporations such as Space X are wonderful examples of private entrepreneurship independent of governmental bureaucracy. But, on the contrary, Space X got much of its technology from NASA, and the success of many businesses is based on thousands of behind-the-scenes government-financed loans and research projects.
As a professor, I've had a front-row seat to DEI and other overly woke policies, some of which do need to be moderated. The actions of the Trump administration, however, go far beyond this; for their attacks are excessive, and unfounded accusations of DEI and antisemitism are being used to muzzle and control our governmental institutions and universities. Trump thinks, if he can just take down Harvard, our whole university system will submit.
The proper role of government is to follow, defend, and promote our Constitution, which is the salutary law of the land and embodies Enlightenment ideas going beyond most people's day-to-day thinking. Until recently the federal government has primarily done that, and most Americans have benefited exceedingly, although we have been sliding into oligarchy recently. Our economy has been performing strongly with growth, high employment, and expanding productivity.
Contrary to Trumpian rhetoric, America has been a great nation for centuries, particularly following WWII. Our economy is the world's largest and pulling further ahead. It's true that some of our NATO allies have fallen short of their required contribution, and many nations do have higher tariffs on our products than we have on theirs. But these discrepancies are relatively small and could be addressed better with less bullying.
The partisan ideology that America is the victimized pansy of the world is completely wrong, as is the accusation that our federal government is an inefficient, ever-growing monster. We have, in reality, prospered tremendously from the domestic and world orders Trump is now disassembling.
Government should be the adult in the room, using the resources it commands to build a better society for all people, not just a privileged few. And it should nurture friendly and productive relationships with other nations.
What we're witnessing instead is the ugly imposition of patrimonialism (mob boss rule), complete with protection rackets and shakedowns. Everything is personal to Trump, and he governs to enrich and exalt himself. The press, universities, corporations, courts, and government agencies must kneel before him and his gang of fascistic oligarchs.
As Trump proudly boasts, both domestic and foreign leaders must now kiss his 'butt' for favors, such as relaxing tariffs. He's creating a corrupt, pay-to-play, mafia-style autocracy with Trump as the Godfather. Tragically, most Republican politicians, instead of fighting for the people, the rule of law, and for democracy, cheer with wild applause.
Mark Mansperger of Richland, WA., is a professor of anthropology. His research includes cultural ecology, societal development and political economy. The views presented in this column are his own.
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