By Donald V. Watkins
©Copyrighted and Published on November 21, 2018
During the past two years, I have watched many of my Republican friends and business associates defend the words and actions of President Donald J. Trump. They have excused his perpetual propensity to lie with impunity about everything. They have tolerated his brand of white nationalism, chronic sexism, unyielding xenophobia, and strong addiction to America’s strongmen governments (i.e., the Russians, Saudis, North Koreans, etc.).
They have looked pass his verbal abuse and demeaning conduct toward all women, including his wife.
They knew he does not respect Congress or the federal judiciary. In fact, he actively seeks to de-legitimize these institutions.
They know that Trump is lazy, ignorant, and petty. They know he will throw friends and foes alike under the bus to save his own hide. They also know he is a "buffoon" by anybody’s definition of the term.
They know that Trump lacks character, class, a basic sense of decency as a human being, and any level of integrity. They also know that Trump has a messianic complex and can be mean-spirited when angered.
They know he has condoned the murder of a U.S. resident/journalist and has authorized the use of deadly force against migrants of color at the Southern border of the U.S.
Like Adolf Hitler (Nazi Germany), Benito Mussolini (Italy), Kim Jung Un (North Korean), Vladimir Putin (Russia), and other well-known dictators in modern history, Trump has separated children from their parents as part of his “Make America Great Again” program.
They know that Trump has no religious beliefs and that he is devoid of a conscience or moral compass. He worships money and idolizes dictators. He also breaks at least five of the Ten Commandments on a daily basis.
Yet, many of my Republican friends embrace the Trump presidency without hesitation or reservation, which is their right as American citizens.
Rather than acknowledging Trump many character flaws and behavioral problems, my Republican friends try to “normalize” his conduct. Often, they point a finger toward other public figures who may share one of the aggregate deficiencies found in Trump. Occasionally, they will claim that Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton engaged in similar conduct.
While Obama and Clinton had their own shortcomings as public officials, neither one of them reduced the Office of the President to a drama-filled Jerry Springer-like reality TV show. In contrast, Trump has debased the American presidency to a point where it will take decades of hard work to regain America's stature at home and abroad.
In their most private moments, my Republican friends readily admit that Donald Trump is an "idiot."
PHOTO: U.S. President Donald J. Trump.
