Simon Adams, who spent 15 years in the United States, has decided to return to Australia, feeling that it is an escape from the political climate under President Donald Trump. He notes that while Americans face challenges such as $4 per gallon gasoline, record credit card debt of $1.28 trillion, and stagnating wages, Trump is prioritizing military spending with plans for a $1.5 trillion budget for the Pentagon by 2027. Adams, previously the president and CEO of the Center for Victims of Torture (CVT), faced significant funding cuts under Trump's administration, which led to the furlough of staff and the shutdown of vital programs. He recounts the fear and vulnerability experienced by immigrants in America, particularly with the presence of ICE agents and the potential repeal of laws protecting marginalized groups. Adams reflects on the transformation of American society and concludes that he no longer wishes to live in a country where cruelty is a guiding principle of governance, opting instead for a return to Australia, a country he associates with democracy and human rights.