Donald Trump, the leading candidate for the Republican
nomination, is a narcissistic, thin-skinned bully whose blunt talk and often
offensive rhetoric has captured a segment of the population sick and tired of
politics as usual, frustrated with what they see as an “un-greatness” of
America, and over-scripted politicians and their issue-dodging speeches. In
short, some people are enamored with the Trumpster because he’s a loud mouth.
His campaign is on fire.
While amusing at times, Trump’s view of the world is based
on only his own reality, which has nothing to do with any other reality. He’s a
hater on many levels, slamming opponents, reporters, immigrants, women . . .
darn near anyone with whom he disagrees on any level. And forget it if he feels
someone was “unfair” to him. He’s not used to being questioned.
So I get at some level the appeal of this spoiled brat, but
there’s no way on this earth I’d want him anywhere near the White House.
Let’s take a look.
You want his finger on the “nuke Russia” button? You want
him working on a health care system? Or leading us through the Middle East
messes? Making sure people in this country are fed? Children educated?
He doesn’t have a clue. He’s a big talker, but not a big
thinker, despite his constant talk about how bright he is and how successful he
is. He may be bright and successful, but those do not necessarily a good
president make. His plan? “I’ll hire people that know about that stuff.” That’s
not a plan. That’s a sound bite. He’s very good at that. And he’s very good at
public speaking and firing up his crowds.
While we pretty much know what he doesn’t like . . . The
question remains, what does he like? Is nothing working here? Is nothing good?
Or of value in America? Apparently not. It’s a trap the Republican Party has
stepped in. That has turned the party has into a very negative, glass half
empty outlook on the country. We have very short memories, it appears.
Need I remind you that Bush the Son was widely viewed as
reining over a terrible administration. Though hailed after 9/11, Bush and his
administration (with the support, by the way, of most of Washington) got us
into two never ending wars, a budget that spun out of control, never addressed
immigration, rising unemployment, the fabulously complicated tax system, a
banking crisis, the flow of jobs and business out of the country, or (along
with Congress) an understanding that trickle-down economics had failed.
The good news for Republicans in many ways was that Obama
was elected (twice). That enabled Republicans to blame the black guy from
Hawaii (or some still believe not from Hawaii) for nearly every ill in the
world. Whew . . . (All that Obama bashing, though, prevented Republicans from
framing their own policies, philosophies and legislation that would have served
them well as Obama headed out of the White House . . . That would be now,
kids.)
So we have Donald Trump, in part the result of a weak party
struggling to find its voice, despite being dealt favorable hand after
favorable hand. He rises out of a huge field that was said to be broad and
strong. Trump, the polished chrome hotel guy, stands head and shoulders above
the pack. He is outdistancing the herd by tons. He’s killing his rivals,
whether you think he’s a serious candidate or not . . . he’s headed for primary
win after primary win, according to the current polls.
What happens when the voting starts? Who knows? But if we’re
not a bit wiser The Donald will have his finger on the button and the White
House will have a polished chrome sign that reads, “Trump’s White House.”
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