Every problem can be fixed

What President Trump got correct in his speech before Congress.

"Everything that is broken in our country can be fixed. Every problem can be solved. And every hurting family can find healing, and hope," he said." 

ABC News

It is an exaggeration and generalization to say that America has unlimited capacity to solve all of its problems. The nation has certain priorities that need attending, with corresponding performance metrics.

Here is a list.

America's Priority Outcomes
(This list is the author's suggested priorities.)

1. Nation secured economically - 100%
2. Nation has a sustainable economy - 100%
3. Nation secured militarily - 100%
4. Homeland secured from terrorists - 100%
5. Employment opportunities for all who can work - 100%
6. Upward mobility for all who are prepared commensurate with ability - 100%
7. All persons provided minimal sustainment as a baseline to start - 100%
8. Social security assured for all persons - 100%
9. Clean air and water - 100%
10. Best education in the world - #1
11. Freest nation in the world - #1
12. Lowest crime rate in the world - #1 in the least crime per capita

The question for Donald Trump and the Congress is how are our top priorities going to be accomplished? Where do we stand today? How much discretionary capacity resides in the American economy?

The presumption by Donald Trump is that we cannot afford to do all that we are doing. Therefore, he is cutting by his notions. Those notions are not vetted against the facts and therefore his actions are arbitrary and present too much risk.

ABC News produced a good analysis:

"For a night, his hard edges had soft tones. From a man criticized for sometimes failing to condemn racism and anti-Semitism among his supporters, he offered a condemnation of "hate and evil in all its forms." 

From a man promising a "deportation force" and decrying undocumented immigrants as killers and racists, he offered a potentially startling shift with a call for "real and positive immigration reform." 

From a man who seemed to blame the death of a Navy SEAL on those who designed the raid, he offered a raw and emotional tribute to a legacy "etched into eternity."
From a man who has used his Twitter feed as an insult generator –- even after being elected president –- came an unusual declaration. 

"The time for trivial fights is behind us," the president said. "From now on, America will be empowered by our aspirations, not burdened by our fears." 

In that message are shades of the economic nationalism that got Trump elected –- and that he views as key to his policy successes from here. 

"Americans must put its own citizens first, because only then can we truly Make America Great Again," he said." 

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/analysis-president-trump-brings-tone-promises/story?id=45818582

A 'feel good' night