Trumped-Up Bully

I question the portrayal of all Republicans as too concerned about self-worth, individual financial security, and huge tax breaks, especially when contrasted with Democrats, who are all portrayed as too willing to spend too much money on too many social programs. People comprise the two primary political parties, individuals who adopt a life philosophy that, unfortunately, results in having to choose one of two political parties to represent their beliefs, especially during election years, when party candidates are presented to the public as fait accompli, rather than viable options.

I am somewhere between Republican and Democrat, a DemoPublican, and believe that everyone has not just the right, but the obligation to earn a living to any level of capacity of the individual, while also recognizing that there are people who are unable to do so. I don’t want to reward anyone with free goods/services based solely on an individual’s failure to get an education, and/or to develop a skill that can result in income, and/or to provide for one’s self and/or family members. As a life-long professional educator, I firmly believe that the more “democratic” idea of educational entitlement vis-a-vis No Child Left Behind has degraded the quality of the educational experience necessary for academic success. Anyone who wants to do so can walk the hallways without having to conform either to the school rules or the curriculum demands, and that sense of personal entitlement constricts the services that can be provided to the student who attends school to attain an educational goal.

There is limited progress when the capable are held back until the incapable catch up – or refuse to do so. Ad astra per aspera sends the stars to the skies in theory, but that’s no longer this country’s practice.

I am equally dismayed that in a country as people-rich as ours, buffoons and bullies rise to the top of the political media stage, often at the expense of more qualified, more experienced, more appropriate candidates for public office. Our election process propels the candidate who garners the most media attention, which means having the financial means to pay for media coverage, while dismissing out of hand well-qualified candidates who put doing the job well before media marketing. It appears that there really is no bad publicity when it comes to developing face time and party recognition, as Donald Trump rampages through the network news, talk shows, and political round-tables in the run-up to the next political campaign.

As a DemoPublican, I believe that Donald Trump is a street thug and a bully, not a Republican candidate who represents any Republican I know. Trump is the example of an individual being judged media-worthy solely by his bank balance, rather than his character. Thus, Trump is totally inappropriate to be considered by anyone as a viable candidate for President of the United States, including the Republican Party. Any man who casts aside one wife for a younger, more media attractive second, then third, wife has serious character flaws. Any man who defines himself by his wealth, rather than his personal integrity, has serious character flaws. Any man who cannot define the difference between ethics and ego has serious character flaws. Frankly, these character flaws disqualify Trump for any public office, but, unfortunately, provide the media with a free pass to claim as fact that Trump somehow represents the Republican Party.

Was Obama born in the United States? I don’t know the answer to that question, but that barn door was closed a couple of years back. Reopening that door is inappropriate, but beating the poor dead horse behind the door is ridiculous. Trump wants to know … what? Why? Does denigrating everyone else on the planet somehow enhance Trump's own flawed character? A man of character would speak forcefully to the lack of professional conduct of the Apprentice wannabes and send them packing, but Trump is that obnoxious, uncooperative, manipulative, disagreeable person himself, so he fosters it in his Apprentice cast and gleefully displays it himself in media interviews where he presents himself as ready, willing, and able to represent the Republican Party in the next presidential election.

However, the business model Trump prefers in the media does not translate to the White House. As a boss, Trump is a bully who demands more than an honest day’s work for an honest day’s wage. When an employee (or Apprentice) cries foul, Trump uses the catch phrase that defines him: “you’re fired!" With a practiced snarl and a dismissive look of scorn, even the boldest employee quivers before the Trumped-up King of the Business World. This may be SOP in Trump's personal empire, but it's not going to fly with foreign heads of state, government employees, and ordinary tax-paying citizens!

Who wants the best anyone can say about POTUS is that "he's a mean son-of-a-bitch"? Who wants to spend the Christmas holidays at the White House with all the wives, ex-wives, and children of the first, second, third "First" families? THAT is how the rest of the world defines America, the land of promis-cuity?? No, I don't think so. Trump says he’ll make his decision the first of June, but I’ve already made my decision: you’re a no-hire, so there won’t even be a probationary period that could result in the “you’re fired” for which you feel famous. Move on; there are other serious candidates presenting themselves to the public for consideration.

You are simply flotsam on the public platform. Broom, anyone?