Constant vigilance needed of Trump administration
In the evening of Nov. 8 while watching the election results for president of the United States, something rose up within me and caused me to be embarrassed; embarrassed at being an American in our long-standing democracy.
This feeling became less intense as the days go by, but it will always be there in my innermost self for at least the next four years; shock and mourning has largely taken its place.
Shock – that a dangerously bigoted and totally unqualified person will assume the greatest and most powerful office in our country. Shock – about the possibility of people of the likes of Rudy Giuliani, Newt Gingrich Ben Carson, Steve Bannon, Kellyanne Conway and Michael Reagan whispering far-right, nationalistic nonsense into the empty head of this outrageous president-Elect.
Shock – that half of the people in this great country rose up in anger, pushing sound reasoning aside, went into a frenzy and voted from gut feelings, but not with their heads. Shock – that people were mesmerized by a candidate who offered no sound political and economic platform during his campaign and at the present time for moving this country forward. He was a candidate who didn’t understand what the slogan “Stronger Together” meant.
Shock – that sound and rational precepts of governing were trashed. It was as if half of the people of this country covered their ears with both hands and said, “We don’t want to listen intently to what Hillary says; “Just lock her up.” Shock – that a large number of Republican leaders resented the tone and substance of some of Trump’s words and actions during his campaign, but once he won the election, they lined up to congratulate him and pledge their allegiance. I would think that one could label them as “sycophants” with a capital “S.”
I mourn not for the demise of our democracy, but for the damage that has been done to it by a self-centered and neo-Fascist type personality that has maneuvered his way into the hearts and minds of some Americans. I consider him to resemble a growing cancer.
I mourn for the young and not so young citizens who witnessed the rallies of Trump, the swaying and raucous crowds, hearing preposterous ramblings of a man who does not subscribe to and voice true Republican ideals of governing.
I mourn – for words, for words do matter, and some citizens of this country gave consent to the ugliness of words that issued from the mouth of Trump. My sincere hope is that such words of derision do not continue to reside in the thoughts and actions of those who voted for him.
I mourn – for the people of the world who are struggling to form a democratic system of governing who witnessed a man not representative of the best of American values such as honesty, integrity, fairness and civility. True and enduring precepts of the American way of life were sidelined. Trump’s campaign and revolting demeanor resembled one’s dirty laundry being hung out for all the world to see.
One ever-present thought persists in my mind and most likely in the thoughts of true American patriots. This democracy of ours will endure no matter what demonic and deranged President-elect Trump and his surrogates will attempt to do.
Thoughtful Americans must not be dominated by fear and uncertainty that shadows our country today because of the tenor of Donald Trump’s ramblings; but they must be determined and prepared with words and non-violent action to oppose random and dangerous decisions that may issue from a Trump administration and from some of his browbeaten and coattail grabbing, slavish Republican surrogates. Constant vigilance of this upcoming administration is a must!
One final thought, Franklin D. Roosevelt in his 1933 inaugural address, used the phrase there is “Nothing to fear but fear itself.” Can you, in your wildest thoughts, picture Donald Trump quoting these words in his inaugural address? Trump and those who surround him are the ones to fear for they are fear itself!
Edwin Lefevre is a resident of Monessen.