Last October, I wrote a letter to this publication highlighting the damage implementing the proposals in Project 2025 would do to our country and our friends and allies around the world. If you’re not familiar with Project 2025, congratulations, we are now living it.

In a nutshell, this political initiative would reshape the federal government and consolidate executive power in favor of extreme right-wing policies. Who needs the other two branches of government anyway? I imagine the founding fathers are rolling over in their graves.

During his campaign, Trump claimed to know nothing about this plan, but many of the authors served in the first Trump administration. If you were paying the slightest bit of attention, you understand this was a lie. Shocking, I know. Let’s take a brief look at where we are now with Project 2025 only four months into his Presidency.

I’ll share some of the “lowlights,” but if you want to get a glimpse of the entire dismantling of our democracy for yourself, there’s a Project 2025 tracker you can check out online. By the way, our state Republican supermajority is also on board with many of these proposals.

Approximately 100 days into his term, 97 of the total 302 policies have already been addressed (mostly by executive order) and 58 are in progress. A number of the executive orders have been or are being challenged in court and several have been delayed or overturned, so we’ll see what happens. That leaves 147 yet to be introduced.

Completed so far: Shutting down USAID which includes freezing all funding, rescinding policies that address climate change (yes, it’s real) cutting disaster assistance and funding which support health initiatives in other countries. You might say, I don’t care about what happens to people in other countries, but highly communicable diseases know no geographic boundaries.

Withdrawal from the World Health Organization, the UN Human Rights Council, and the Paris Climate Accord, firing thousands of our essential federal employees and weakening existing provisions, dismantling the Department of Education and cutting off funds to states, cities, counties, and school boards who don’t show proper fealty, and eliminating the office of civil rights and civil liberties. I can guarantee that everyone of you knows a friend or loved one who falls into one of these categories.

Still on the chopping block: Elimination of HeadStart, elimination of the Title I program, defunding of NPR and PBS, weakening child labor laws, letting companies stop paying overtime, cutting off funds for cancer research, prohibiting stem cell research, and clear cutting our national forests and public lands with no regard to present or future environmental damage.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. We’re also seeing attempts to whitewash our true American history by eliminating all references to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Hopefully some of you are saving those books that actually document the truth about America’s history; the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Many of you will say, “We don’t need these programs. They’re a waste of money.” But the truth is these and future cuts to Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security (these cuts are coming) are being made to balance a budget that will give the wealthiest Americans huge tax breaks on the backs of our most vulnerable populations.

Trump calls it “The Golden Age,” but for whom? Not for the average West Virginian, that’s for sure. Look up “robber barons” if you want to know what’s really happening. While you’re at it, familiarize yourself with Project 2025. Knowledge is a powerful tool.

In the words of Joni Mitchell, “Don’t it always seem to go, you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone.”

Cindy Stemple

Chair, Randolph County Democratic Executive Committee