Donald Trump would be a disaster as president
Have you had moments when you were alone in a room or taking a solitary walk and you began to recall past situations that you could have handled differently?
You were impulsive at the time and now regrets linger.聽 Both your actions and words were inappropriate. You chide yourself for not being more restrained and careful with what you said and how you said it. Your selfishness and self-centeredness got in the way. You told yourself that you’ve learned from past mistakes, and you will do better in the future.
More than likely, most normal people would agree with these observations, but I am confident Donald Trump would not. He is abnormal. He appears to voice no regrets and offers no apologies for past outlandish mutterings as: demeaning of a Gold Star family, questioning where President Barack Obama was born, accusing Hillary Clinton and Obama of being founders of ISIS, insulting African-Americans intelligence (“what do you have to lose?”), wanting to confiscate Iraq’s oil (“take their oil”), dishonoring those in the military who were captured (John McCain), degrading remarks about women (“slobs and fat pigs”), unrepentant to God (“I don’t have to ask for forgiveness”) and spouting out:”I’m the first presidential candidate to run and make money on it.” One could certainly add to this listing.
Factor in his physical antics: imitating a disabled individual, constantly gesturing with his hands, displaying distorted and frightening facial expressions and you have a temperamental and unreflective person.
Have you had thoughtful moments about the apparently prominent, decent and intelligent individuals that have gathered around Trump: Mike Pence, Ben Carson, Rudy Giuliani, Paul Ryan, Ted Cruz and Kellyanne Conway to name a few? Are they really serious about defending and supporting a wacky Donald Trump? Do they realize they have hitched their very lives and reputations to a degrading and hostile individual? Do they honestly think they can resume their professional lives if Trump loses in November and no one will remember all they said in support of him during the presidential campaign? Do they actually think all will be forgiven and forgotten?
Are they conscious of the fact that a narcissistic, fuming, defeated Trump would probably return to his New York Tower ranting against his campaign staff and looking for revenge? He may cool down after awhile, but in the interlude, he will resume his questionable real estate dealings and at the same time, mumble over and over: “The election was rigged!”
Have thoughtful parents of young children had moments when they questioned the inflammatory language and bullying antics displayed by Trump on television and at his rallies. Children are observant. If exposed to Trump’s bombastic rhetoric and twisted facial expressions on repeated occasions, they just may conclude that, if it is OK for someone running for the office of president to speak and act this way, they too can do the same! What a dangerous example of a hero Trump is for not only children, but for anyone who considers themselves a decent adult!
Finally, two last questioning moments for me: How did a totally unqualified person for the office of president, Donald Trump, who possesses no statesmanlike qualities, no Republican values and exhibits no ethical and moral underpinnings, rise to a position of importance on the American political scene in the eyes of some of the public?
Secondly, why would some decent Americans be willing to accept as president an egotistical individual as Donald Trump, not knowing which Trump would show up each day: a reasonable, knowledgeable, calm individual or an irrational, ill-informed, bombastic person – the latter person showed up at the first presidential debate on Tuesday!
If “more of the same” – experience, thoughtfulness and stability with Hillary Clinton is up against the inexperience, thoughtlessness and instability of Donald Trump, give me more of the same with Hillary!
Edwin Lefevre is a resident of Monessen.