What has Donald Trump done for the poor?
BY: Vincent L. Hall
“Why do you keep on making us hear your song? Tellin’ us how you are changin’ right from wrong. ‘Cause if you really want to hear our views, you haven’t done nothin’!” – Stevie Wonder, Fulfillingness’ First Finale – 1974
Stevie Wonder and the Jackson 5 made this song a hit over 50 years ago. Stevie was “Stevieing,” and the point of this “Diddy” (no relation) was to make a strong political statement. “You Haven’t Done Nothin’” is the musician’s blanket critique of politicians who make empty promises.
Stevie is a prophet, and this song needs to be revisited. Donald Trump made broad promises to the narrow-minded, but he has no intention of keeping his word unless it involves the destruction of his enemies.
What is sad is that amid the myriad of broken pledges he continues to make, he never makes a solitary promise to the poor, the elderly, or the sick.
It is evident to me that Donald Trump believes that God has ordained a lower class. After all, how can you be a part of the master class if there is no slave, labor, or underclass?
What is worse is that America doesn’t even recognize that he has no remorse about enriching the Master at the direct expense of the Laborer.
This society has become so myopic, self-absorbed, and narcissistic that we don’t question Trump or any other politicians who don’t foster policies that will enhance those who have “too little.”
Those who have too little were at one point in the American body politic the central concern and responsibility. As Franklin Delano Roosevelt stood to deliver his historic Inaugural Address in 1937, he set the standard for what we ought to expect of our leaders and ourselves as fellow humans.
Those words were engraved into his monument. “The test of our progress is not whether we add to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little!”
This historic and hallowed quote should serve as a reminder that social justice and economic equality are the “moral fundamentum” of our otherwise unstable democracy.
If the Constitution hinges on the concept that the majority rules, and the majority of Americans are closer to poor than rich. In that case, our politicians are derelict in their duties.
The Reverend Dr. Zan Wesley Holmes, pastor emeritus of the St. Luke Community UMC Church, delivered a sermon that provoked thought and encouraged our work for social justice.
Dr. Holmes pointed out that when Jesus said, “the poor you will have with you always,” it may have been more prophecy than proclamation. Jesus doesn’t condone poverty, but he does realize that our proclivity for selfish gain creates a permanent place for the poor.
As it pertains to the plight of the poor and a test of our progress, Donald Trump hasn’t done nothing.
But what’s worse is that Congress does nothing for the poor, and John Roberts’ Supreme Court constantly rules against the least, the lost, and the last.
None of his minions would dare approach Trump on behalf of people experiencing poverty. Not even the MAGA’s who live in squalor. But the “Zanisms” I learned over the years are clear.
One day, Little Donnie” will be required to prove what he did for the least of these. Stevie’s song is already queued up!
You must be logged in to post a comment Login