Yes, I am an Optimist!

In my wildest dreams, I never thought an Orthodox Jew would be a top adviser to the leader of the free world. And yet that is exactly what seems to be happening. Not only is Ivanka Trump advising her father, the President, he is actually listening to her. And she seems to be getting positive reviews for it even from the mainstream media. And for all the right reasons. 

It seems that the measured tones of the speech delivered by Mr. Trump Tuesday night was in large part due to his daughter’s behind the scenes influence. She apparently convinced him to tone down the rhetoric and speak only about the substance of programs, his vision for the future, and his goals to fulfill the promises he made that got him elected. It appears that she also convinced her father to address the recent antisemitic attacks. Which was the first thing he did that night. And to speak about her signature issues that deal with the gender wage gap and affordable child care. (Which she spoke about at the RNC convention last summer.) 

It almost seems possible that at some point in her life she could seek the Presidency herself, and get elected. I mean if her father could do it… 

I think she would increase the support her father got with a more  broad based appeal! She has very few if any negatives about her in the public eye as far as I can tell. Wouldn’t it be something if Ivanka Trump was not only the first Jew, but the first the first Orthodox Jew... and the first woman to be elected President of the United States? Out of the question? Ridiculous? Not possible? Stranger things have happened. As recently as November 8^th of last year. But I am getting way ahead of myself. It is just an interesting mind game as of now. 

Right now we have her father to deal with. And as much as there has been wrong with his Presidency so far (which is what the mainstream media is obsessed with) I thought we ought to take a look at what’s been right with it (which is what the mainstream media is practically ignoring). The first and perhaps the only positive comments I can think of made about Trump from the media is about his speech to congress Tuesday night. They all gave him a positive review. Even a majority of Democrats polled gave him positive reviews. Although immediately followed by saying it was just a show and that he would revert to his old and real self very quickly.  

I am happy to report that the President has not tweeted once since that speech. Except for two words: Thank you! My guess is that his daughter Ivanka had something to do with that too. (Maybe she reads my blog… who knows? J ) 

One of my predictions (and the prediction of many experts) before the election was that if Trump was elected, the stock market would collapse – followed by an economic collapse that would make the last recession look like an economic boom! Indeed the night of the election the futures market took an 800 point drop – indicating that the next day the stock market exchanges would follow suit. I am happy to report that the opposite has happened. Not only did the market not crash, market indicators like the Dow Jones are reaching record highs almost every day ever since the election. Yesterday it went up by over 300 points! Those of us that have IRAs invested in the market cannot be but thrilled about that. 

Some analysts  are calling it the ‘Trump effect’.  Investors apparently see an administration whose pro business approach is unlike any in recent memory. Promised tax cuts and deregulation being key components. Whether this ‘Bull Market’ will continue remains to be seen.  But in the short term, reluctant investors of the past seem to be jumping on the band wagon. That increases demand which increases the value of the stocks they choose to buy.

Another positive aspect of the Trump Presidency so far is the impact it has on the United Nations. Instead of sympathizing with Israel’s enemies by focusing on settlements, Nikky Haley our new ambassador to the UN,  has declared that the US will no longer tolerate their one sided approach. This was made abundantly clear in her recent address to that ‘august’ body. She pointed out their hypocrisy of viscious attacks against Israel while practically ignoring other far more serious issues. Like the carnage taking place in Syria and terror sponsoring States like Iran. Ambassador Haley firmly declared that the US will no longer tolerate it. 

The Trump administration has hinted that they may stop funding the UN. Which would destroy them because – if I understand correctly - the US is the largest single contributor. For starters – the administration has just threatened to resign from the UN Human Rights Council. Nothing talks like money. 

In what seems to be a 180 degree turn away from blaming Israel for everything,  Nickolay Mladenov, the UN’s special coordinator for the Middle East peace process actually blamed the Palestinians for a change. From the Times of Israel: 

In the past any such condemnations were made in the context of a far greater condemnation of Israel. Clearly laying the blame for all that’s wrong in the Middle East on them. This was exactly the case with UN Resolution 2334 which condemned Israeli settlements as the biggest obstacle to peace… a resolution the former administration abstained from voting on - allowing it to pass. The first time the US did that in the misguided belief it would somehow advance the peace process. How foolish of them!

It’s early. 40 days into a Presidency is hardly enough time to seriously evaluate it. And... there are those other issues dogging them. Not the least of which is the investigation of whether any of Trump’s cabinet members or other appointees had anything to do with Russian interference in our elections. Or the contentious issues with respect to illegal immigrants and refugees from countries with connections to terrorism. Or in the administration’s attitude about environmental issues.  Just to mention a few.

But as far as the issues I mentioned are concerned, I could not be happier with the way they have progressed so far.