Donald Trump is the perfect reflection of a sick society; one which is consumed by consumerism, financed by greed, lobbied by corruption and which bathes in the murky waters of ignorance and chauvinism. It is a society which sees intellectualism, community and respectful, civil discourse as weakness. In this age of political scorn and deep societal issues, Trump is king.
Trump often cites his business experience as grounds for his qualifications as president, but what he—as well as about fifty percent of GOP voters, according to The Washington Post—does not seem to comprehend, is that the highest office in the land requires more than just business management skills. It is unequivocally essential for a president to be graceful, tactful, reasoning, respectful and diplomatic. Trump possesses not one of these qualities.
This is made ever more apparent by Trump’s response to Fox News political commentator, Megyn Kelly’s accusations that he is misogynistic and a contributor to the “war on women.”
“I think the big problem this country has is being politically correct,” Trump responded. “I’ve been challenged by so many people and I, frankly, do not have time for total political correctness.” He then went on to rant about how the United States is “losing” to Mexico, China and others, in terms of trade and on the border.
The fact that a presidential candidate is permitted to cut out and insult half of the population—and for that matter, half of the species—simply because he doesn’t think he has time for “political correctness” is appalling and shameful. No, Mr. Trump, it’s not political correctness to refrain from misogyny and sexual harassment; it’s common humanity. Moreover, the praise he received when he responded to Kelly is disgusting. If he had made racial remarks in reference to the black community, I wonder if he would have received such acclaim at the spouting off of “I don’t have time for political correctness”.
This blatant display of ignorance and biting nerve, as well as its reception by conservatives, shows just how utterly deep the country has fallen into the abyss. It’s almost comical how people think this man is a good candidate for president.
We need a president who is sincere, respectful, open-minded and empathetic. One who is not beholden to banks and corporations and who is aware of the needs of the average American. And one who will act, truly, in the best interests of the people, rather than those of the banking cartels or the military-industrial complex. Donald Trump is not that president.
After all, as Dwight D. Eisenhower once said, “A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.”
