In case you missed it, our country has lost respect from nearly all the nations of the world. Trump. We are no longer the “shinning light on the hill.” Trump. Most nations, even our erstwhile friends, have a revised view of us as now being anathema to decency. Trump. The Statue of Liberty mocks us. Trump. The Constitution has become a joke book. Trump. Our justice system promotes injustice. Trump. When our head of state declares he will respect all laws, he means he will break any law he considers improper. Trump. He is a vulgarian, a liar, and a man who gives hatred full reins by attacking all of those who disagree with him. Trump. The money lenders have taken control of the temple. Trump. Billionaires and ultra-rich oligarchs have taken control of the wheelhouse and plan to steer America on a new course, one which alters our culture, education, and justice systems. Trump. Objective truth has been replaced by “alternative truth.” Trump. Science and the arts have been assaulted by those uninitiated in either science or the arts. Trump. Racial, religious, and ethnic minorities are denigrated by the new nativist regime. Trump. Trump. Trump.
We let it happen, and now we’re stuck with a plutocracy. Or worse.
Perhaps the antidote to our state of devolution comes from the story of Jesus flipping tables, driving sheep and cattle from the temple, and admonishing the money changers for turning a sacred place into a payday loan operation? When business and greed become our topmost values, we lose our souls, our cultural authority. When we choose a demagogue to define our values and goals, we become collaborators in disgrace. We chose a man who bends reality to fulfill his prejudices. Is it time to flip some tables and insist on a different kind of change?
At heart, Trump appeals to voters who want immigration restricted, entitlement reform, isolationism, not to mention giving a shy nod to anti-feminism, racism, and anti-LGBTQ causes. Why not choose the alpha male leader, a throwback to the days of Julius Ceasar? But whoopsie, Trump’s policies promoting his version of patriotism pose the most serious threat to democracy since Joesph McCarthy’s Red Scare blather. Just as McCarthy turned from persecutor to persecuted, Trump will undoubtedly get his comeuppance. At some point, Trump’s proclivity for making enemies of friends and foes alike will complete his downfall. After all, no one enjoys the presence of a person who believes he knows more than everyone else in the room, especially if that person brags about it. Even more, if that person is a pathological megalomaniac. Trump.
One way or another, pray that Trump is derailed somehow before he destroys our country.