50 Shades in 50 days at the White House
By Barclay
Fifty Shades Darker is copy written as the title of a new novel and movie. But the words have a rather unique meaning in the first 50 days of Trump. I remain hopeful, but even more discouraged by the direction seemingly into to the Abyss (another film with some darkness in the palette. I spoke of the walls being built around us, both physically, as well as figuratively. So many groups are putting up blocks to keep a greater distance to our country, as recourse to the continued alienation of our principles and practices.
The new and improved travel ban is supposed to make us feel better by retracting one name from the list of detainees to and from our country. We find new lines in the news on the effect of the methods being used where Muhammad Ali Jr. was detained for the second time in a month as he tried to travel in Florida. In a move rarely used, and almost without precedent, the President is wielding his iron fist by sweeping all the attorney generals out the door to bring in his new picks. The move appears to be in conjunction with insuring that the white house gets its way in banning people, among other things. The move is intentioned it seems to brighten the landscape, though on its face is a much darker move.
Alternate facts play out again, over and over with every turn of the page, some of the latest being the President’s ever so dark image of our work force. The numbers tossed of our deficient employment based upon what he wants to spin, stirring fear into where we are going. The jobs structure did, according to the ECONOMIC NEWS RELEASE from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which identifies new jobs added or lost and what sectors were affected, does state a climb for the country for February of 235,000. That number kept the unemployment rate at close to January of 4.7 percent. The bulk coming from more white males in the work force while other groups were equal or slightly down in employment from the prior report. One key group with a decided downturn was the retail group which lost 26,000. The significance of this one downturn is that the economic retail environment appears poised to show that or more in additional lost jobs for the next month or two. Major players such as J. C. Penny and Macy’s which often anchor malls, have announced deep cuts and closures coming. The ripple effect of those closures will potentially be darker days by many shades for the other mall tenants as well, void of the traffic draw the bigger stores bring in. Further digging into these retail jobs losses is the fact that retail has, in its employment, some of the best-balanced demographics as to women, ethnic, and age varied workforces. The retail industry has been integral in the opportunities for the first-time job seekers as well as women, and seniors looking for post-retirement income. There are darker days for all three groups as these stores shutter their doors.
Another wall with a dark side will be the inevitable demise of the health plan as we know it. All indications from everyone but the White House, gives pause to the benefits and cost of them on the way once the new version of it gets approved. Again, the main groups that appear to be affected will be the same ones losing the bulk of the jobs, women, first time employed, and the retiring citizens that will have to pay a lot more, or make decisions as to having or not having the medicines and doctor visits.
One more darker aspect to this trend our new President is fueling, is the decline in college enrollment. Though it has been in decline for a few years, two major groups show the biggest effects are community college and the for-profit colleges. Both of these have a much larger student population from the low income and minority households. The net result if projected out is that the low income and minority groups will have another hurdle to overcome once again being left behind in terms of any real economic stature improvements.
As we jump into spring, flowers begin to bloom, and the sunnier side away from winter rolls on, I do hope the so far unwavering drive to the unlit days of an apocalypse get warmed in that sun and settle into brighter whites with a rich dark blend on the landscape. Eliminating color eliminates the distinctions, and turning all of the lights out, will do the same.