Letter to the Editor: Common sense? I think not

Dear editor:

During Donald Trump’s first six weeks in office, he initiated hundreds of executive orders and executive actions to “restore common sense, safety, optimism and wealth all across our wonderful land.”

Common sense is defined as sound practical judgement.

Is common sense being used to make across-the-board personnel cuts to many of the agencies that help keep our citizens safe? The current chainsaw approach won’t provide long-term solutions to these issues.  Yes, Americans want to see cuts in federal spending.  Making the decision to rapidly fire large numbers of personnel just to say savings are being made quickly is not using sound practical judgement.  Many of the initial firings have been or are in the process of being reversed because no common sense was used in the firing decisions.  These inefficient actions erode the optimism of the American people and are directly and/or indirectly affecting their wealth in a negative manner (being fired from their job or losing wealth through a falling stock market).  Donald Trump’s actions do not seem to be achieving his stated goal.

How about implementing a multi-year deep audit into these agencies by committees consisting of experienced senior employees of these agencies and members of Congress.  This approach could inspire bipartisan support.

The above thoughts are a draft Letter to the Editor I started a couple of weeks ago.  As I return to update the letter I am struck by how much has transpired in such a short time.

On March 6, President Trump said that agency bosses will make cuts with a “scalpel” rather than a “hatchet.” Since then, he has fired over a thousand NOAA employees who are currently on paid leave, being told not to return to the office. Is this the work of a “scalpel”?  

The Trump administration has cut at least 7,000 Social Security employees without evaluating the effects it will have on recipients.  Social Security offices have already been closed in Cody and Sheridan.  Is this using common sense?

The Trump administration, with the help of Elon Musk and DOGE, has also made cuts to the VA, CDC, EPA, FAA, and USDA, among other departments. These are across the board cuts to budgets and/or personnel, with no apparent merit-based evaluations. These actions seem to be more hatchet than scalpel and don’t seem to be in the best safety interest of the people of the United States.

I am surprised at the rapid rate at which many important government agencies are being dramatically cut without restraint.  In my opinion the Trump Administration does not appear to be making America great.  I pray that I am wrong.

Tom Laidlaw

Greybull