Actions have consequences

A physics lesson: Newton’s Third Law of Motion states “for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” When one object exerts a force on another, the second object exerts a force back with the same strength but in the opposite direction.

I taught swimming lessons for about 20 years. I didn’t take physics in school, but Newton’s Law of Motion applied to swimming and I could see it. When swimming, if you pull your head out of the water, your head will sink underwater an equal distance. It’s visible as you watch children or adults swim. Every action or motion has a consequence.

The inauguration of the 47th President of the United States is two weeks in the rear-view mirror. During the course of those two weeks, it’s been difficult to track the signed executive orders. Their rapid introduction has left the country spinning and questioning their rationale, legality and necessity.

One of the first notable executive orders pardoned all convicted for crimes related to the Jan. 6 insurrection. Some pardoned recipients promised retribution against juries, prosecutors and investigators. Threats accompanying the pardons destabilize and challenge the lawful judicial proceedings.

The FBI and Department of Justice were purged of career prosecutors and investigators associated with the Jan. 6 investigations. Those impacted were assigned the work and did not seek the assignment. They were simply doing their job. Was there evidence or due process for dismissal? Was participation in the specific investigation the only dismissal qualifier? What is the impact on safety of Americans by emptying the FBI and DOJ?

Cabinet nominees with marginal agency experience have been interviewed and some have been confirmed. The current administration claimed that only qualified individuals should get jobs. Really?

Millions of federal workers were offered a seven-month buyout without assurance of due process or guaranteed receipt of a payout. Who will do their work? Where is the funding source?

Mass deportation efforts have swept up not only unauthorized immigrants but also legal American citizens and veterans whose only crime was resembling an illegal U.S.A. resident.

Guantanamo is being prepared to house 30,000 detainees. Who will pay for Guantanamo? Who will do the work of individuals employed in packing plants, hotels, restaurants and picking vegetables?

Threats to end FEMA, cancellation of foreign aid and federal aid programs for low-income Americans have been made.

Unsubstantiated allegations claimed that DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) hires were responsible for a plane crash killing 67. No empathy was shown for the grieving families.

Orders were issued to end cancer, vaccine and disease research and exit the World Health Organization are in place.

Tariffs with unknown economic impact and scope for Americans will go into effect against China, Mexico and Canda.

Hourly reports of executive actions unmentioned during the campaign escalate while campaign promises to lower food, gas and rent costs are forgotten.

Supporters of the 47th president are thrilled with the rapid speed of actions while other citizens are concerned or frightened. The president’s disorienting actions seem to have little consideration of short or long-term consequences. Maybe keeping citizens careening from one bombshell announcement to another diverts attention and thus, minimizing the impact is the point.

Legality of actions being taken seem of little concern. Unauthorized individuals associated with DOGE acquired classified materials and access to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid information.

Who has the ear of the 47th president and is monitoring the purse strings? Can billionaires with no knowledge of government and assistance to citizens drive decisions? Can someone who never wondered how rent would be paid or feel food insecurity understand the situation of American citizens? Is creating chaos and fear intentional with the hope Americans will preemptively comply and quietly give up?

Senators and Congress members in Washington, D.C. owe the electorate an explanation of their actions or inaction regarding the Constitutional legality of flood of executive orders. They were elected to represent the voters, not bow down to the 47th president.

Make calls. Write emails. Ask questions. Acceptance without challenge is not an option. “We the People” need to protect Democracy. It’s apparent that billionaires or a president may not.

Ask questions. Expect and demand answers. Actions or inaction have consequences. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.