A substantial number of people in the United States are clearly with Trump. That is no ‘fake news’.
The vast majority of Americans that identify as Republicans are still very much with him. And so are the vast majority of Americans that do not identify as Republicans yet voted for him. That too is no ‘fake news’.
The fact that many who did not vote for him – and many who did not vote – simply do not like the man is also no ‘fake news’.
I did not vote for him. I do not like him.
I do not mean ‘like’ like in a Facebook comment. I mean ‘like’ as in his personality bothers me; the way he talks turns me off; and I find his behavior un-presidential.
I also find myself seriously disagreeing with many (most) of his policy positions – but more about that in other postings…
Trump way of doing things is making America small, divided, and mean – like it’s never been before.
He is making America small by promoting a perverse sense of native nationalism; demeaning the presidency; and lying.
> Promoting perverse sense of nationalism. Ever since the creation of nation-states, people who feel they ‘belong’ in any given nation-state have the inclination of feeling proud of their ‘Country’. Americans are no different. However, feeling proud of your Country does not mean you have to disparage or be against everybody else. And, being proud of your Country does not mean you have to select a ‘tribe’ inside your country as being better than the other ‘tribes’. Trump’s white nationalist views makes America small – not great.
> Demeaning the presidency. The Presidency is our Nation’s highest elected office. It is to be revered, respected, and treasured. When Trump cheapens the Office of the United States President by engaging in arguments that to many are ‘beneath’ the Office; when he speaks in an overtly populist style; when he tries too hard to be ‘one of us’, he demeans the Office.
> Lying. President Trump lies. Of course, every President has had to forego sharing all details of certain circumstance; speak carefully about certain topics; or, conveniently avoid talking about certain things. That is called diplomacy. That is called tact. Trump has neither. When he lies to other world leaders, he makes America small; he demeans the office he holds.
He is dividing America by enticing political polarization; fanning the flames of extremism; and lying.
> Enticing political polarization. Every President is also the leader of a political party. That is the nature of our democratic system. Once in power, however, most Presidents have tried to unite the Country by reaching out to those who voted against him with olive branches and such. Not Trump. He has hardened the positions that his ‘base’ expects of him. He disparages the opposition political parties. He drives wedges among different political views. He polarizes.
> Fanning the flames of extremism. Trump polarizes in many ways. One way that is abhorable is when he refuses to discredit extremist views and instead winks at the extremist leaders as if saying “I got your back.’ What Trump has done is to unleash – and try to mainstream – the visceral extremist views regarding White supremacism and climate change denial pseudo-science by fanning the flames with Tweets and campaign style rhetoric.
> Lying. President Trump lies. He lies about his timid rejection of White supremacists. He lies by using bad data and scientifically dubious references to support his position regarding climate change, benefits of proposed tax system revisions, and educational policies. With these lies he further polarizes the political landscape.
He is making America mean by abusing power dynamics; tweeting disparaging insults; and lying.
> Abusing Power Dynamics. Trump seems to find cheap thrills in picking ‘fights’ with people in position of limited power well beyond his position. This, of course, is the classic definition of harassment and bullying. When Trump picks a fight with the likes of the Mayor of San Juan Puerto Rico, or a Congresswoman he is abusing his power. It is not unlike a CEO publicly chastising an Administrative Assistant or a plant manager. It is harassment; it is bullying.
> Tweeting disparaging insults. Trump is taking America down to the gutter. His propensity to Tweet insults is making a mockery out of the Presidency. He has lowered the Office to the status of a television game show. Jerry Springer would be proud.
> Lying. President Trump lies. Trump’s choice of blurry words and unambiguous lies using mean-spirited words is unbecoming of a President. His right-out-lies – documented by many reputable sources – sets an awful example for our youth and future leaders. It is as if he is saying: “Want to get ahead? Be mean – consistently and callously. Insult constantly. Lie whether you have to or not.”
To my friends, family and foes that have opted to stay with Trump in this race to the low road and gutter, I say: Good riddance. For me, I will #RESIST both his policies and personality.