Ah, the comforts of life: President Trump is the worst president we have ever had. The tax-reform bill is the worst bill that has ever wormed its way through Congress. Nancy Pelosi calls it Armageddon. These laments are music to my ears.

Trump recognizes Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Prepare for the end of the world. This is soothing news. The country and the world are streaking toward hell. So quickly that the handbaskets cannot keep up. I love it.

You see, I love traditions. Like Thanksgiving and Christmas carols. Like Fourth of July parades. And Memorial Day speeches. And Exaggeration. I capitalize that word out of reverence.

We honor the ancient Greeks for their philosophers and their architecture. We remember the ancient Romans for their empire. I bet centuries from now people will remember the American Dynasty for its exaggeration. We will be known as the all-time Masters of Exaggeration.

Think about it. Folks 70-years old have suffered through several of the worst presidents ever. Name a president. Then go back and read the criticisms of him when he was in office. That phrase “worst president ever” will pop up for each one.

If I live long enough to have a president who is not the “worst ever,” I’ll know it’s time to fall off the twig.

Generations have been whacked with the “worst bills ever written.” And they have witnessed the country going to hell. Let’s face it. We’re always going to hell. It’s tradition

I was in London a few weeks ago when the new budget appeared before Parliament. How did the Brits respond? The critics? They tut-tutted. Had another cup of tea and murmured that it was unfair to the working man and women. Said it had its priorities wrong.

Here we introduce a tax reform bill to Congress. And we get “Welcome to Armageddon. Old folks will die. Corpses of babes will be stacked like cordwood.”

Do you get my drift? I don’t exaggerate when I say we exaggerate. 

In other countries when university kids have a complaint they complain. Here they swoon. Universities now have special ambulances. To cart snowflakes to emergency safe spots furnished with fainting couches.

Exaggeration, it’s in our blood. Wait, I can do better. “It courses through our veins.” Wait. How about: “It explodes within our DNA.” That’s more like it.

Do you want more evidence? Other countries stage a championship game. We boast a World Series. British soccer has a division final. Our NFL has the Super Bowl.

We are a nation of drama queens. Speaking of queens, the Queen of England hands out medals every year — with prestigious names like The Order of the Queen’s Corgis. The honorees get to wear medallions and ribbons and add initials after their names. We could have our president hand out the OTT Awards. For the most “Over The Top” performances. The medal would be six inches across with flashing lights.

Meanwhile, you and I could make a few bucks. We could create a website for exaggeration. The equivalent of a Thesaurus for Hyperbole. People would turn to it for assistance with exaggeration. You want to say in your remarks to Rotarians that the city needs to upgrade the water system? Our site — called Hyperbole-ocity — would suggest you say, “Children will die from pollution!”

I like it. Hyperbole-ocity. Our slogan could be “Armageddon.” That is if Nancy Pelosi hasn’t had that trademarked yet.           

Tom Morgan writes about political, financial, and other subjects from his home near Oneonta. You can write to Tom at tomasinmorgan@yahoo.com. You can read more of his writing at tomasinmorgan.com

To the Editor: 

Our company JGB Enterprises Inc. is a 40-plus year old, added-value distributor/manufacturer. We are proud to say that our firm has provided sustainable employment in Onondaga County for decades. We hire the majority of our workforce out of the county, as well as from the City of Syracuse. We have over 250 employees alone in Central New York, and our physical blueprint extends across the U.S. as well. We are a major tax contributor here in New York state, and we’ve created millions of dollars in payroll. 

We would like our voice to be heard on the re-construction of the I-81 viaduct in downtown Syracuse, specifically the tunnel option, from the perspective of an economic driver for local contractors, distributors, restaurants, and hotels. The greatest benefit to the community would be job creation. The scope of work that a tunnel project would bring, and the duration of the project would provide much needed employment opportunities for over a decade, and please note we are not referring to the cut and cover option. 

We cannot ignore an opportunity to drive prosperity into our local economy, and we ask that state officials please make the tunnel option a part of their environmental impact study that will compare each construction option

We need to realize that a job of this magnitude would generate opportunities for business at all levels — from direct material suppliers, equipment rentals, creation of local construction jobs, and the sub-contractors that would be needed. Even local hotels and restaurants would benefit. This project will act as a catalyst to business even after project completion. The revenue that is gained can simply be reinvested into their respective companies. 

Please consider that our region has suffered for such a long time; it would be nice to get some good news once in a while. Common sense dictates that a tunnel would offer a transformative form of underground transportation, and would eliminate the skyline eye sore of Route 81 in downtown Syracuse.

A tunnel offers the potential to add an above-ground green space. This green space could provide the community a place to gather in a park-like setting, and add a possible shopping district, retail space, hotels, and many other economic drivers. I know that in a time of fiscal responsibility, it is easy to just go with the least expensive option (rebuilding the elevated highway or going with the street-level option and diverting northbound traffic to I-481). However, I truly believe the tunnel is by far the best investment that will undoubtedly prove to have greater long-term economic returns for many years to come. 

I fully respect the knowledge and the careful review that has been conducted by the NYS DOT. It is our hope that as many options are considered, the tunnel option will be viewed as a viable alternative, rather than building a new elevated highway or street-level corridor as a replacement for the aging infrastructure. 

Sincerely,Stephon Starrantino
Executive VP
JGB Enterprises Inc.