Joe Hancock: Trump cares only about himself while Montanans pay the price

No one tries harder to be the center of attention than President Trump. He’s obsessed with it.

Unfortunately, Trump’s agenda focuses almost entirely on himself, resulting in a presidency that harms American interests both here in Montana and overseas. Sadly, Trump’s Republican enablers are cheering him on.

Here at home, Trump’s self-focus prevents him from addressing the issues most important to Americans like the rising costs of housing, healthcare, and groceries. Trump is so captured by his own self-obsession that he is truly incapable of hearing the voices and concerns of everyday Montanans and citizens across the country.

Trump is far too enamored with naming things for himself — or bullying others into giving him their awards — to consider helping Americans meet the challenges of their everyday lives. If it glitters and he can possess it, Trump is fully engaged.

Otherwise, he’s not interested. The result is a neglect of the many problems facing Americans today.

While the cost-of-living for Americans keeps going up, Trump literally denies that such a thing could be possible, claiming that affordability is a “made up word.” He repeatedly and wrongly asserts that grocery prices are going down, rather than facing the reality that they keep increasing.

When confronted with his smoke-and-mirrors posturing, Trump becomes angry and lectures Americans that “you’ve never had it so good.”

This past fall, healthcare tax breaks expired for millions of working families and small business entrepreneurs, and Trump refused to take any action. This is a pattern.

For 10 years, Trump has said that he could easily solve the healthcare cost crisis while offering only weak talking points so trivial that they could fit on a Post-It note. Trump will talk about himself for hours, but his interest in making a difference in people’s lives? If he has any, he doesn’t mention it.

Trump’s self-interest extends overseas as well, with similar detriment to Americans’ long-term interests. The collapse of Trump’s fragile ego when he wasn’t awarded the Nobel Peace Prize is the pettiest instance of diplomatic malfeasance.

Miffed at the perceived slight, he focused on himself rather than the good of the country. In one outburst, he threatened sanctions and tariffs, meaning Americans would pay more for goods because of his tantrum.

Trump uses foreign relations, and the rest of the executive branch, to handle personal vendettas rather than pursuing the best interests of the U.S. His alienating of our allies serves no meaningful purpose while allowing China and Russia to gain — a playbook described by the Wall Street Journal as “How Trump turns U.S. allies into China’s friends.”

Montanans and Americans deserve better. We need leaders who focus on Montana and American interests, not the whims of a vainglorious prima donna. Democrats will focus on what’s best for Montanans, prioritizing actions and policies that make our country stronger and the world safer.

At home this means helping families afford healthcare, childcare, and housing as they struggle to make ends meet while trying mightily to get ahead. Abroad, Democrats support alliances that promote the U.S. goals of domestic security and economic growth.

We are a great country that deserves leaders focused on helping families and small businesses achieve the American dream.

It’s time to get back to basics, eliminate the distractions, and work together to achieve our hopes for the future.