By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The article discusses President Trump’s dismantling of the CDC and its leadership, mirroring a historical rejection of the polio vaccine, jeopardizing public health. Trump has undermined the Epidemic Intelligence Service and appointed vaccine-skeptic advisors, leading to the firing of CDC officials who disagreed with him. This mirrors the disastrous policies of the Soviet Union under Stalin, who favored ideological alignment over scientific expertise. Ultimately, Trump’s reliance on unqualified individuals and his disregard for expert agencies opens the door to future public health disasters.
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Trump’s grotesque de-skilling of the US government signals disaster, and it became clear from the very beginning of his presidency. We’re now well into the unfolding disaster. The time to merely identify signals has long passed; we’re in the thick of it. The lowering of standards isn’t just a side effect but a core component of the plan, facilitating the hiring of unqualified individuals.
The alarming funneling of tax dollars towards causes like the January 6th defendants, and potentially directly into Trump’s pockets, reveals a disturbing prioritization. Bonuses for those accused of abusing fellow citizens stand in stark contrast to the lack of funds for essential services.
It’s a stark reality: funds are readily available to harm people, and give breaks to billionaires, while critical areas like healthcare, student loan relief, and social security are neglected. This fiscal irresponsibility is a recurring theme. The resources are there, but the priorities are warped.
The consequences of this systematic deconstruction are profound, like the government’s successful efforts to combat polio in the mid-20th century. Had vaccine skepticism and unqualified leadership been in place then, countless more children would have suffered from paralysis and death. The quick action of the Epidemic Intelligence Service, recognizing a problem with faulty vaccine batches, saved the day.
This kind of expertise, dedication, and focus on science contrasts dramatically with the current situation. The goal seems to be to dismantle the very institutions designed to protect and serve the public. Some people, like the Project 2025 cohort, are openly aiming to tear down the government as we know it.
It’s not just about who is in charge; it’s about the systemic dismantling of competence. The reliance on unqualified personnel and the undermining of established institutions makes the government vulnerable and ill-equipped to respond to crises. The analogy to the Chernobyl disaster highlights how disastrous consequences can result from such disregard for expertise and established processes.
The consequences are far-reaching, and the signals are all around us. The implications of this “de-skilling” are felt on a daily basis, from the Department of Defense to the NSA and the FBI. The constant erosion of skilled professionals and the injection of unqualified personnel create a dangerous environment.
The Republican party, complicit in this destruction, must be held accountable. The manipulation of voters through propaganda and the promotion of hate speech are critical factors. When a country embraces such chaos and incompetence, the effects are devastating.
And the constant drumbeat of misinformation and division has fueled this downward spiral. A government that is broken at its core is dangerous. The sheer budget of ICE is a prime example of misdirected priorities, in a climate where resources are abundant but distributed in a way that promotes division.
The narrative that the country “doesn’t have money” is a lie. The U.S. possesses immense wealth, and the actions of conservative leadership have created an environment of debt, limiting the ability to improve the lives of those they govern.
The future looks grim. The next Democratic president will be burdened with fixing this wreckage. The constant political cycle that rewards the destructive forces of the right wing is something we all must work to change.
The deliberate de-skilling, and the constant attacks on institutions, should be seen for what they are: a serious threat to the long-term stability of the nation. And it’s up to all of us to fight for our democracy.