GIVE HIM A CHANCE?
In his excellent book, “Baptism By Fire,” historian Mark K. Updegrove wrote of our First President, George Washington: “While broadening the authority of the federal government, he never exploited his stature or the ambiguity of his position to wield power to the detriment of the republic, nor did he do anything that would compromise the dignity or integrity of the office.”
For the most part, and with some notable exceptions, the 42 men who succeeded him conducted themselves in office without compromising those high standards set by the Founding Father. But that’s all about to change.
On January 20th a new President will be sworn into office, a man who will bring to the White House all the dignity and integrity of $200 a night hooker working a Young Americans for Freedom convention at a 3-star hotel two blocks off the Vegas strip.
A president-elect who has admitted lusting after his own daughter, who has mocked the handicap of a reporter he disagreed with, has financial (and perhaps other) ties to foreign powers and has told people not to worry that decisions he makes as president might be effected by his business interests and investments because he is above conflict of interest laws that apply to other elected officials.
A commonplace grifter who, had he not be born to wealth, would have probably spent his life bilking little old ladies out of their life savings with offers of waterfront property in the Everglades or hustling Amway franchises to housewives in Southern Illinois and Eastern Missouri.
A man of such vanity and vacuous mind that he seems to believe he doesn’t need daily intelligence briefings on world affairs as President because he is “smart.”
Yes, this is the guy who will be entrusted with the “dignity and integrity” of the Presidency. As well as the codes to launch nuclear weapons.
His supporters demand that we “give him a chance,” as if we should suspend judgment on what lies ahead. Which makes about as much sense as giving the cardiologist in seat 4-B the chance to take over the flight to New York when the pilot drops over dead from a heart attack. To hell with the trained co-pilot. Give the doctor a chance.
No, I don’t think so. I don’t think I need to give him a chance. His supporters have already taken care of that. And for that, we shall all suffer the consequences.
He now gets to strip the office of the Presidency of the United States of all dignity and integrity. And if I were to pretend he isn’t what he has shown himself to be, or show him respect or deference for conduct undeserving of respect or deference, that would be just as bad as voting for him.
So I’ve got a short answer when the easy marks demand I support the new president.
Not a chance.
