This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

I understand the president's budget is only a start and the Congress and Senate will offer compromises and changes. I do understand the process. But what I am most concerned about is our priorities as a nation and as a people.

There was an outpouring of frustration during the last election on both sides of the political spectrum and candidate Donald Trump directed his campaign to the fears of those who felt disenfranchised. Promises were made, seemingly, with an understanding of the people's plight. Whatever the basis of these promises, the people's needs, hopes, fears and frustration are still very real and are not addressed in the president's budget or statement of priorities.

The president's budget, while just a beginning, sets the bar very low in terms of meeting the needs of the nation's citizens. The losses to our society in terms of compassionate help such as Meals on Wheels, legal counsel for the poor, rural agricultural programs, early childhood education and so many more essential services to make a civil society is beyond tragic. The loss of the arts, public television and radio and other enhancements to life strips existence of dreams and expansive thought. And the loss of programs to protect the very planet we live on condemns all of humanity.

It is time to open our hearts to the messages that were so profound during the campaign. People spoke because they felt ignored, frustrated, cheated and scared. Let's put our resources into programs and services that will provide excellent education, job training, cultural enhancement, protection of our environment, all those things that demonstrate a society that cares for each other and wishes everyone well.

We need to take the time to really listen to each other with open hearts so we can understand what others are saying and feeling. Then we need to put our resources into making lives better. That is what putting America, or rather Americans, first should really mean.

Rolayne Fairclough

Salt Lake City