Zoom In/Zoom Out: An ongoing series from Rep. Jared Golden
There’s always a lot going on in Washington. Often, there is a clear “lead story” of the day that’s dominating the headlines and TV news rundowns. In this recurring post, I’ll Zoom In on an issue that’s not getting much attention, and Zoom Out on a big story of the day to step back from the buzz and look at the bigger picture. — Jared
ZOOM IN: The U.S. trade deficit broke new records in 2024.
The balance of trade is an important measure of America’s standing in the global economy. For 50 years, we have run a trade deficit, importing far more goods than we export. Last year, the deficit was bigger than ever.
Just like you, America can’t get something for nothing. We’ve run up the trade debt by buying more than we sell. At the same time, other countries and foreign corporations have hoovered up a growing claim on America’s future, buying core assets like treasury bonds, land, and infrastructure.
Just like our high national debt undermines our ability to continue investing in our future at home, the trade deficit jeopardizes our independence and leaves us increasingly dependent on other nations for cheap goods and a willingness to underwrite our lack of exports by buying our future.
That’s why I support policies like tariffs and an all-of-the above approach to increasing energy production — to boost American industry, secure domestic supply chains, and rebalance our trade.
ZOOM OUT: President Trump said the United States should “take over” the Gaza Strip, and would not rule out using American troops to build “the Riviera of the Middle East.”
Leaving aside the many domestic and international obstacles the president would face if he pursued this plan, I’m confident Mainers and Americans as a whole would currently oppose any effort to send our uniformed men and women to Gaza.
Our nation has learned hard lessons about the perils of nation-building, and most of us want to focus on the problems we face at home, not get involved in more foreign entanglements.
The president’s bully pulpit matters, and of course his plans for the Middle East are important. But talk is cheap. And less than 24 hours after making waves, his administration is already walking back his statements. As a general rule, we should pay more attention to what President Trump does than what he says. When it comes to action in Gaza, the president should focus all his efforts on securing the release of the remaining hostages — including several Americans — held captive by Hamas.
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Before the election Jared Golden correctly predicted that Donald Trump would win. And cravenly declared that he was "OK" with that.
During the election Jared Golden refused to endorse Democratic candidate Kamala Harris because he "did not want to be associated with a campaign which frightened people that Trump would destroy democracy."
After the election Jared Golden did not condemn Pres. Trump's unprecedented pardon of 1,500 domestic terrorists, conspirators, and violent rioters. Belatedly he falsely equated Trump's pardons with Biden's pardons, lumping them together as "rogue presidencies."
For over a year, as the Netanyahu regime violated international and U. S. law in its genocidally disproportionate response to the Hamas atrocities of Oct 7, Jared Golden merely recycled the same AIPAC/CUFI propaganda, over and over. Omitting that the Netanyahu regime had supported Hamas because it shared Netanyahu's opposition to the two state solution and in order to weaken the Palestinian Authority which was interested in a two state solution. Golden also omits any mention of atrocities by Israeli settlers against Palestinian on their own land in the occupied West Bank. And Golden omits that the Netanyahu regime was content to keep the hostages in Hamas custody in order to use them as talking points - as they died in captivity including from Israeli bombing.
Golden leaves out a lot which matters to many Mainers. He has an arrogant disregard for many who voted and campaigned for him. He seems to think toadying to Trump will win him favored status with Trump and perks for Maine. History shows that while opposing Trump can put a target on your back, pandering to him guarantees nothing. Other than complicity in Trump's crimes and abuses.
Please do everything you can to stop the power grab of Elon Musk. He also is completely violating privacy laws. He is not an elected official , and I have not seen anything to indicate he has security clearances He has not been authorized by congress for the "job" he is doing. I am concerned about his access to our social security numbers. I think his actions lately are one of the biggest dangers we have faced in a very long time.