I have a great deal of respect for former New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang, who I consider a friend. But I disagree with Lang's take on the Trump presidency, and I will explain why.

Barry Richard/Townsquare Media
Barry Richard/Townsquare Media
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Mayor Lang, a Democrat, frequently takes to Twitter to express his displeasure with the current occupant at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Fair enough. I voice my support for the administration on social media and on my radio program. And the world goes 'round. By the way, I thought the Democrats were opposed to the whole tweeting thing?

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Scott W. Lang/Facebook
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TSM
TSM
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Come on, Mayor, pure partisan rhetoric. What's your real beef? Didn't you get the memo that the public is burned out from all of this carping and is more in the mood to see things done?

Trump's style is certainly unconventional, but so what, if he is delivering on his promises?

Now, Mayor Lang, a former chief executive of a municipality of nearly 100,000 people, understands better than most how important a strong national economy is to local communities. The U.S. is at what is considered full employment. In other words, there are not enough people to fill all of the available jobs. Look around. There are "Help Wanted" signs in nearly every business window. Have you seen all of the new home construction underway in New Bedford?

Unemployment figures for blacks and Hispanics are at record lows. More women are working than in decades. The youth unemployment rate is at it's lowest in 52 years. Wages are up. Taxes have been reduced, and scores of regulations that have hamstrung businesses small and large have been done away with. The real estate market is on fire. Food stamps and other government dependencies are way down. In short, more people than ever are experiencing the American dream.

What is most unfair about Mayor Lang's rhetoric is that it is aimed at the one guy who is getting something done. I mean, where is his beef with Senators Warren and Markey, who have been totally AWOL on the fishing industry crisis? New Bedford is struggling to win funding for a number of infrastructure projects, (rail, airport, bridge replacement), and environmental issues and all we get from Warren and Markey is--nothing!

President Trump Addresses The Nation In His First State Of The Union Address To Joint Session Of Congress
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Are Warren and Markey given a pass by Mayor Lang because they are Democrats? Or is Mayor Lang truly convinced that this Russia collusion myth and Omarosa are seriously more important to the folks of Greater New Bedford than the matters outlined above?

Mayor Lang, you are better than this rhetoric. Be straight with the people. Join the ever-growing number of people who are abandoning partisan politics. Walk away.

Note: Mayor Lang is expected to on me this week on the program. I will let you know when we nail it down.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.

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