The article argues that recent executive overreach and politicization have severely undermined established norms of U.S. civil-military relations. To restore professional standards, the incoming Congress must actively exercise its oversight powers, moving beyond mere criticism to demanding transparency in defense policy and personnel decisions. Key reforms include enforcing meritocratic promotion processes, requiring documented justification for senior officer removals, and preventing the partisan use of the military. These actions are crucial for bolstering public trust and ensuring the military remains a nonpartisan instrument of civilian control.
Affordability Is Trump’s Albatross and He Can’t Get Rid of It
English Summary
President Trump faces growing political disapproval as American households remain frustrated by high price levels for essentials like food and electricity despite modest real wage gains. The article argues that the administration's own policies, including tariffs, immigration restrictions, and high budget deficits, are contributing to stagflationary pressures and undermining fiscal stability. Consequently, the failure to deliver immediate price reductions has allowed political opponents to gain traction with 'affordability' narratives and proposals for direct economic intervention.
中文摘要
川普總統面臨日益升溫的政治不滿,主因在於儘管實質薪資微幅增長,美國家庭仍對食品與電力等民生必需品的高物價水準感到沮喪。文章指出,現任政府的政策(包括關稅、移民限制及高額預算赤字)正加劇停滯性通膨壓力並破壞財政穩定。因此,由於未能立即降低物價,政治對手已藉由「負擔能力」論述及直接經濟干預提案獲得更多支持。
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