Some of my friends are Republicans and as far as I can determine they are still backing President Donald Trump. I have never seen anything worthy about him and my estimations of his worth have only gone down, so I was shocked a few days ago when I came across a YouTube video of a Republican who regrets voting for Trump. Over the last two nights I have watched about a hundred short clips on YouTube. They are heartbreaking and there are many, many more I could have watched.
I grew up voting for the best candidate. My father, from Missouri (same as me and my mother), used to say, “I always vote for the best man. He just always happens to be Republican.” I remember watching the 1952 Republican convention on our Bendix TV.
1952 Republican Convention/Eisenhower acceptance speech
I voted for Republicans for president until I voted for Bill Clinton. I was embarrassed by his sexual antics in the White house. I voted for W next because I could not stand the Democratic candidates. I thought surely they can find someone smarter, but they didn’t.
The YouTube clips of disenchanted Republicans seem like kindred spirits. Here are six . . .
Tom from Nevada, a long time Republican supporter and worker. “Being from California I had the opportunity to work with Ronald Reagan at his think tank in California . . . I also served three years for a Republican congressman in Southern California and I also have experience with about twenty campaigns, presidential, gubernatorial, and congressional for the Republican Party, so I have my credentials. My vote four years ago went to Donald Trump. This year it will not go to Donald Trump.”
Paul is a life-long Republican and a devout Christian: “When the Lord was on this Earth he didn’t insult people, he didn’t bully them, he didn’t make fun of them . . . Leading by fear is not the American way.”
Cheves from Texas has voted straight republican his entire life . . . but can’t do it any more. “Now government is only limited by Donald Trump’s daily whims.”
Dale from Kentucky voted for Trump. He won’t make that mistake again. “I am so worried about where our country is . . . how we’re looked at by the rest of the world . . . four more years in this office I wonder if we can survive this democracy.
Roy is a lifelong Republican, but he is scared by Trump’s lack of character. “Now, in 2020 I want to work as hard as I can to make sure he (Trump) is not re-elected.”
Life-long Republican Marka from Georgia will be voting for Democratic candidates. “Donald Trump and the Republican Party have completely gone by the wayside and in terms of the Republican Party I thought I knew, so now as a life-long Republican I’m looking to say ‘what party represents me’ and for the first time in all these years I’ll be voting in November for a Democratic presidential candidate and a Democratic senate candidate.”
Across the nation we are seeing more and more Republicans not only voting for a Democratic president, but some are vowing to never vote Republican, again. That is a shame. On YouTube there are videos about Democrats crossing over to vote for Trump, but the clips are usually from news programs rather than independent shot-at-home clips. In watching the video clips of these people you can see dismay, disappointment, and sense of loss of their own histories.
Personally, I do not want to see President Trump re-elected, but I do not want to see the Republican Party dismantled. I still believe in family, and locally I support both Democrats and Republicans for office. We need balance and diverse ideas.
So you are for abortion, legalization of prostitution, and legalization of marijuana, the latter two positions both advocated by Kamala Harris?
David,
Thanks for commenting, but I don’t know how you would even associate any of those traits to me. I would never assume that you philander, pay out hush-money, have backdoor dealings with dictators, pander to white supremacists, rip people off via charity donations, lie, cheat and steal just because you may support Donald Trump. I would guess that you are probably an upstanding individual who cares about his country . . . you know . . . like me . . . and the Republicans that spoke from their hearts on the Youtube clips. Did you watch the videos?
Thanks for sharing.
Don
You made it somewhat clear that you are not voting for Trump, which suggests you are voting for Biden/Harris who, in turn, at least in Biden’s case is pro-abortion, and in Harris’ case is pro legalization of marijuana and pro legalization of prostitution. Assuming then you are voting Democrat for president, one would logically conclude their positions on such matters are neither here nor there; or you support.
David,
Thanks for commenting.
There are many reasons for voting for Biden and Harris. Again you are assuming. Your three suggestions have nothing to do with my choice. Number one is probably because I feel that Biden and Harris have more concern for America than President Trump does. However, my article addressed numerous Republicans, many of whom are ashamed and appalled that they voted for Trump the first time around. While you are assuming do you feel that those Republicans (many devout Christians) are now in favor of abortion, legalization of prostitution, and legalization of marijuana because they choose to not vote for Trump?
Thanks for sharing.
Don
David – Like all elections, there are many more issues to consider than the three you mention. I am for respect and equal rights for all people, including those of color and women, better access to health care, good relationships with our friendly foreign countries, some reasonable gun control measures, not coddling to Russia and North Korea, the legitimate use of our military, the rule of law, and just general honesty. Oh yeah, and in fact I do support the legalization of marijuana. Our current president supports none of these. (But he apparently supports prostitution….)
So the Biden ticket gets my vote.
Thank you, Don! I, too, vote for the best but this man-child has to be voted out.
Susan,
Thanks for commenting.
With convention platforms, I usually agree somewhat, but never buy in 100% to either party. This year, however, the Republicans don’t even have a platform other than voting for Trump. No one is perfect except possibly a perfect fool . . . and hopefully his reign will end after the first of the year. As they say, rust never sleeps, so be sure to encourage others to vote.
Thanks for sharing.
Don
Please, people, this blog is supposed to be a refuge from divisive political garbage. Can we keep it sane?
John,
Thanks for commenting.
I love your email address . . . I didn’t know there was one last same person operating around here.
Thanks for reading, and thanks for the morning chuckle as well . . . and for sharing.
Don
Mr. Arbeeny only wants to balance the title’s one-sided focus by presenting a list of Trump’s irrefutable achievements. Now let’s see a countered breakdown of Biden’s achievements!?! I’m still waiting for a sane rebuttal, not: Trump plays golf or he didn’t serve in the military or “signing too many papers” (how do you think all the bills got passed?!?).
Yes, please keep it sane!
Don, thank you for sharing some of the now many clips made from the heart by past Trump voters. I believe they are right to regret their earlier support for such a flawed person who (I think predictably) has so thoroughly co-opted the Republican Party and damaged our Country in so many ways. It seems few if any candidates ever really deserve our vote, but vote we must for the best there is.
I feel sorry for those who are so blinded by a fixation on one or a few issues that they miss the need for balance by leadership in our Country. I sincerely hope they don’t continue to be fooled again this time.
Will,
Thanks for commenting.
For some reason Donald Trump has a cult following, it may be enough to carry him to victory, perhaps with the help of Russia like in 2016, but I hope not. Although there are a number of “Fool me once . . .” people around to know better this time I hope that carries the day. I do feel sorry for those Republicans to spent most of their adult lives waving the Republican flag only to see it dragged threw the dirt by President Trump and his supporters. I am glad that they have come forward and are trying to right their wrong and make this a better world and a better America for all.
Thanks for sharing.
Don
LOL! “……….. it may be enough to carry him to victory, perhaps with the help of Russia like in 2016….” You really have a severe case of TDS. Bogus Russia collusion, ginned up by Democrats both before and after the 2016 election to influence the election and thereafter remove a duly elected President. You’re already making excuses for why Biden will lose in 2020…….just in case. “…..better America for all”? You mean like Seattle, Portland, NYC and other Democrat run hell holes?
John,
As many Trump trolls would respond “Do you research.” – https://www.npr.org/2020/08/18/903512647/senate-report-former-trump-aide-paul-manafort-shared-campaign-info-with-russia
A joint committee came to the end result in August that the Russians influenced the 2016 election AND the State Department also just last month says they are at it again. Did you ever actually watch the long-time Republicans talk about the Republicans leaving the party all across the nation?
Don
As a Combat Veteran who served during the Korean War I can’t vote for a Draft Dodger. General
Bonespur needs to be retired.
.
Bob,
Nice hearing from you.
I agree. He seems to have no regard for our military or veterans. Actually, I don’t think he has regard for any Americans.
Thanks for sharing.
Don
So Mr. Hammar, did you not vote for the following presidential candidates as well?
Ronald Reagan
Bill Clinton
Al Gore
Barack Obama
Hilary Clinton
Did Joe Biden serve in the military?
Marty,
Thanks for commenting, but your question is mostly moot . . . I’ve heard Hillary called a “war horse” and worse.
Thanks for sharing.
Don
Why are you responding? I didn’t address my question to you.
Actually, Ronald Reagan did not dodge the draft (I hope you’re not implying that); he was called up in 1942 and served on a limited basis due to poor vision until 1945 as a captain.
Politics and too many uninformed voters…and that’s why I don’t vote…The best candidate should be in office, but oft times, that is not the case.
JC,
Thanks for commenting.
Yes, quite a few actors and entertainers did their bit during WWII. They sold war bonds and provided dances and shows both at home and abroad. It was indeed a war effort by the greatest generation.
I’m sorry to hear that you are a non-voter, but that’s America. We are independent cusses sometimes . . . just speaking for myself, of course.
You are correct, that quite often the best person for the job doesn’t get elected. Also, sometimes those people we least expect to lead well, turn out to be the people we admire the most. You just never know. It’s like Fats Waller used to say, “One never knows . . . . do one?”
Thanks for sharing.
Don
Missed that, JC. Assumed he was part of the USO.
TDS is strong in this group.
Consider the following Trump accomplishments. Please tell me what Biden has accomplished…..other than family enrichment during 47 years in government.
* Trump recently signed 3 bills to benefit Native people. One gives compensation to the Spokane tribe for loss of their lands in the mid-1900s, one funds Native language programs, and the third gives federal recognition to the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians in Montana.
* Trump finalized the creation of Space Force as our 6th Military branch.
* Trump signed a law to make cruelty to animals a federal felony so that animal abusers face tougher consequences.??
* Violent crime has fallen every year he’s been in office after rising during the 2 years before he was elected.
* Trump signed a bill making CBD and Hemp legal.??
* Trump’s EPA gave $100 million to fix the water infrastructure problem in Flint, Michigan.
* Under Trump’s leadership, in 2018 the U.S. surpassed Russia and Saudi Arabia to become the world’s largest producer of crude oil.
* Trump signed a law ending the gag orders on Pharmacists that prevented them from sharing money-saving information.
* Trump signed the “Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act” (FOSTA), which includes the “Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act” (SESTA) which both give law enforcement and victims new tools to fight sex trafficking.??
* Trump signed a bill to require airports to provide spaces for breastfeeding Moms.
* The 25% lowest-paid Americans enjoyed a 4.5% income boost in November 2019, which outpaces a 2.9% gain in earnings for the country’s highest-paid workers.
* Low-wage workers are benefiting from higher minimum wages and from corporations that are increasing entry-level pay.
* Trump signed the biggest wilderness protection & conservation bill in a decade and designated 375,000 acres as protected land.
* Trump signed the Save our Seas Act which funds $10 million per year to clean tons of plastic & garbage from the ocean.??
* He signed a bill this year allowing some drug imports from Canada so that prescription prices would go down.
* Trump signed an executive order this year that forces all healthcare providers to disclose the cost of their services so that Americans can comparison shop and know how much less providers charge insurance companies.
* When signing that bill he said no American should be blindsided by bills for medical services they never agreed to in advance.
* Hospitals will now be required to post their standard charges for services, which include the discounted price a hospital is willing to accept.
* In the eight years prior to President Trump’s inauguration, prescription drug prices increased by an average of 3.6% per year. Under Trump, drug prices have seen year-over-year declines in nine of the last ten months, with a 1.1% drop as of the most recent month.
* He created a White House VA Hotline to help veterans and principally staffed it with veterans and direct family members of veterans.??
* VA employees are being held accountable for poor performance, with more than 4,000 VA employees removed, demoted, and suspended so far.
* Issued an executive order requiring the Secretaries of Defense, Homeland Security, and Veterans Affairs to submit a joint plan to provide veterans access to access to mental health treatment as they transition to civilian life.
* Because of a bill signed and championed by Trump, In 2020, most federal employees will see their pay increase by an average of 3.1% — the largest raise in more than 10 years.
* Trump signed into a law up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for millions of federal workers.
* Trump administration will provide HIV prevention drugs for free to 200,000 uninsured patients per year for 11 years.??
* All-time record sales during the 2019 holidays.
* Trump signed an order allowing small businesses to group together when buying insurance to get a better price??
* President Trump signed the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act that provides funding for states to develop maternal mortality reviews to better understand maternal complications and identify solutions & largely focuses on reducing the higher mortality rates for Black Americans.
* In 2018, President Trump signed the groundbreaking First Step Act, a criminal justice bill which enacted reforms that make our justice system fairer and help former inmates successfully return to society.
* The First Step Act’s reforms addressed inequities in sentencing laws that disproportionately harmed Black Americans and reformed mandatory minimums that created unfair outcomes.??
* The First Step Act expanded judicial discretion in sentencing of non-violent crimes.
* Over 90% of those benefitting from the retroactive sentencing reductions in the First Step Act are Black Americans.
* The First Step Act provides rehabilitative programs to inmates, helping them successfully rejoin society and not return to crime.
* Trump increased funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) by more than 14%.??
* Trump signed legislation forgiving Hurricane Katrina debt that threatened HBCUs.
* New single-family home sales are up 31.6% in October 2019 compared to just one year ago.
* Made HBCUs a priority by creating the position of executive director of the White House Initiative on HBCUs.
* Trump received the Bipartisan Justice Award at a historically black college for his criminal justice reform accomplishments.
* The poverty rate fell to a 17-year low of 11.8% under the Trump administration as a result of a jobs-rich environment.??
* Poverty rates for African-Americans and Hispanic-Americans have reached their lowest levels since the U.S. began collecting such data.
* President Trump signed a bill that creates five national monuments, expands several national parks, adds 1.3 million acres of wilderness, and permanently reauthorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
* Trump’s USDA committed $124 Million to rebuild rural water infrastructure.??
* Consumer confidence & small business confidence is at an all time high.
* More than 7 million jobs created since election.
* More Americans are now employed than ever recorded before in our history.
* More than 400,000 manufacturing jobs created since his election.
* Trump appointed 5 openly gay ambassadors.??
* Trump ordered Ric Grenell, his openly gay ambassador to Germany, to lead a global initiative to decriminalize homosexuality across the globe.
* Through Trump’s Anti-Trafficking Coordination Team (ACTeam) initiative, Federal law enforcement more than doubled convictions of human traffickers and increased the number of defendants charged by 75% in ACTeam districts.
* In 2018, the Department of Justice (DOJ) dismantled an organization that was the internet’s leading source of prostitution-related advertisements resulting in sex trafficking.
* Trump’s OMB published new anti-trafficking guidance for government procurement officials to more effectively combat human trafficking.
* Trump’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations arrested 1,588 criminals associated with Human Trafficking.
* Trump’s Department of Health and Human Services provided funding to support the National Human Trafficking Hotline to identify perpetrators and give victims the help they need.
* The hotline identified 16,862 potential human trafficking cases.
* Trump’s DOJ provided grants to organizations that support human trafficking victims – serving nearly 9,000 cases from July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018.??
* The Department of Homeland Security has hired more victim assistance specialists, helping victims get resources and support.
* President Trump has called on Congress to pass school choice legislation so that no child is trapped in a failing school because of his or her zip code.??
* The President signed funding legislation in September 2018 that increased funding for school choice by $42 million.
* The tax cuts signed into law by President Trump promote school choice by allowing families to use 529 college savings plans for elementary and secondary education.??
* Under his leadership ISIS has lost most of their territory and been largely dismantled.
* ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi was killed.
* Signed the first Perkins CTE reauthorization since 2006, authorizing more than $1 billion for states each year to fund vocational and career education programs.
* Executive order expanding apprenticeship opportunities for students and workers.
* Trump issued an Executive Order prohibiting the U.S. government from discriminating against Christians or punishing expressions of faith.
* Signed an executive order that allows the government to withhold money from college campuses deemed to be anti-Semitic and who fail to combat anti-Semitism.
* President Trump ordered a halt to U.S. tax money going to international organizations that fund or perform abortions.
* Trump imposed sanctions on the socialists in Venezuela who have killed their citizens.
* Finalized new trade agreement with South Korea.
* Made a deal with the European Union to increase U.S. energy exports to Europe.??
* Withdrew the U.S. from the job killing TPP deal.
* Secured $250 billion in new trade and investment deals in China and $12 billion in Vietnam.
* Okay’d up to $12 billion in aid for farmers affected by unfair trade retaliation.??
* Has had over a dozen US hostages freed, including those Obama could not get freed.
* Trump signed the Music Modernization Act, the biggest change to copyright law in decades.
* Trump secured Billions that will fund the building of a wall at our southern border.
* The Trump Administration is promoting second chance hiring to give former inmates the opportunity to live crime-free lives and find meaningful employment.
* Trump’s DOJ and the Board Of Prisons launched a new “Ready to Work Initiative” to help connect employers directly with former prisoners.??
* President Trump’s historic tax cut legislation included new Opportunity Zone Incentives to promote investment in low-income communities across the country.
* 8,764 communities across the country have been designated as Opportunity Zones.
* Opportunity Zones are expected to spur $100 billion in long-term private capital investment in economically distressed communities across the country.
* Trump directed the Education Secretary to end Common Core.?????????
* Trump signed the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund into law.
* Trump signed measure funding prevention programs for Veteran suicide.??
* Companies have brought back over a TRILLION dollars from overseas because of the TCJA bill that Trump signed.
* Manufacturing jobs are growing at the fastest rate in more than 30 years.
* Stock Market has reached record highs.
* Median household income has hit highest level ever recorded.
* African-American unemployment is at an all time low.(was until covid bullshit)
* Hispanic-American unemployment is at an all time low.
* Asian-American unemployment is at an all time low.
* Women’s unemployment rate is at a 65-year low.
* Youth unemployment is at a 50-year low.
* We have the lowest unemployment rate ever recorded.
* The Pledge to America’s Workers has resulted in employers committing to train more than 4 million Americans.
* 95 percent of U.S. manufacturers are optimistic about the future— the highest ever.
* As a result of the Republican tax bill, small businesses will have the lowest top marginal tax rate in more than 80 years.??
* Record number of regulations eliminated that hurt small businesses.
* Signed welfare reform requiring able-bodied adults who don’t have children to work or look for work if they’re on welfare.??
* Under Trump, the FDA approved more affordable generic drugs than ever before in history.
* Reformed Medicare program to stop hospitals from overcharging low-income seniors on their drugs—saving seniors 100’s of millions of $$$ this year alone.??
* Signed Right-To-Try legislation allowing terminally ill patients to try experimental treatment that wasn’t allowed before.
* Secured $6 billion in new funding to fight the opioid epidemic.????
* Signed VA Choice Act and VA Accountability Act, expanded VA telehealth services, walk-in-clinics, and same-day urgent primary and mental health care.??
* U.S. oil production recently reached all-time high so we are less dependent on oil from the Middle East.
* The U.S. is a net natural gas exporter for the first time since 1957.
* NATO allies increased their defense spending because of his pressure campaign.
* Withdrew the United States from the job-killing Paris Climate Accord in 2017 and that same year the U.S. still led the world by having the largest reduction in Carbon emissions.??
* Has his circuit court judge nominees being confirmed faster than any other new administration.
* Had his Supreme Court Justice’s Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh confirmed.
* Moved U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.??
* Agreed to a new trade deal with Mexico & Canada that will increase jobs here and $$$ coming in.
* Reached a breakthrough agreement with the E.U. to increase U.S. exports.
* Imposed tariffs on China in response to China’s forced technology transfer, intellectual property theft, and their chronically abusive trade practices, has agreed to a Part One trade deal with China.
* Signed legislation to improve the National Suicide Hotline.??
* Signed the most comprehensive childhood cancer legislation ever into law, which will advance childhood cancer research and improve treatments.
* The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act signed into law by Trump doubled the maximum amount of the child tax credit available to parents and lifted the income limits so more people could claim it.
* It also created a new tax credit for other dependents.
* In 2018, President Trump signed into law a $2.4 billion funding increase for the Child Care and Development Fund, providing a total of $8.1 billion to States to fund child care for low-income families.
* The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) signed into law by Trump provides a tax credit equal to 20-35% of child care expenses, $3,000 per child & $6,000 per family + Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) allow you to set aside up to $5,000 in pre-tax $ to use for child care.
* In 2019 President Donald Trump signed the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education and Support Act (CARES) into law which allocates $1.8 billion in funding over the next five years to help people with autism spectrum disorder and to help their families.??
* In 2019 President Trump signed into law two funding packages providing nearly $19 million in new funding for Lupus specific research and education programs, as well an additional $41.7 billion in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the most Lupus funding EVER.
* Another upcoming accomplishment to add: In the next week or two Trump will be signing the first major anti-robocall law in decades called the TRACED Act (Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence.) Once it’s thelaw, the TRACED Act will extend the period of time the FCC has to catch & punish those who intentionally break telemarketing restrictions. The bill also requires voice service providers to develop a framework to verify calls are legitimate before they reach your phone.
* US stock market continually hits all-time record highs
John,
Thanks for commenting.
TDS is a remarkable left-over from first grade taunts. It’s both a dismissal and an insult, but I will let that pass. You left off Trump’s greatest achievement that of setting a new record for golf days in a four year term . . . but it’s still early.
I see most of Trumps achievements are signing papers, but in reality it has nothing to do with the subject of my article. The article is about the dismay and the disgruntled life-long Republicans who are leaving the party . . . some forever . . . some may return if there is still a Republican Party after Trump. I’m actually fighting for the Republicans. These people are all on YouTube . . . and many, many more. You can comment there directly, let them know that they have TDS and share how wrong they are in leaving the Republican Party.
Thanks for sharing.
Don
TDS: an accurate description of the current irrational attitude of many towards Trump which fails to recognize any positive attributes of his presidency or him as a person. Answer the question: what has Biden accomplished in 47 years and how do you expect any better in the future? “Signing papers” is what Presidents do to enact legislation. There’s a lot more too: how about his engineered economic recovery especially for minorities? Trade deals? Tax relief? Negotiations with both friend and foe? NATO member responsibilities? The list lays it out yet I’ll bet you can’t say one positive thing about this list except deflect towards Trump’s golf trips. That’s irrational. Republicans who claim they are “ashamed” of voting for Trump perhaps aren’t really Republicans. There is such a thing as a RINO and many of them didn’t vote for Trump in 2016 either. Ironically Trump, as the “amateur”, has put in place many of the policies in less than 4 years which establishment “professional” Republicans paid lip service to for decades but did nothing about. Perhaps a little jealousy going on here? Democrats aren’t all that thrilled about Biden whether “progressives” (actually regressives) who don’t think he’s red enough or moderates who have given up the leadership of their party to rabid leftists. A doddering 78 year old white guy career politician with foot in mouth disease is the best you can do? The DNC message at their convention was all about getting rid of Trump which has been their message since 2015……he’s still here. What have they done in the last 4 years and what’s their platform for the future? There isn’t any.
John,
It looks like you want to only talk about what you want to talk about regardless of what my article says. You are always welcome to write your own article sharing what you believe. Your comments reveal that you have not watched the videos at all, which are the basis of my comments and the core of the article, but you are happy to attack the speakers “perhaps aren’t really Republicans.” Most all identify themselves, where they are from and their life long involvement with the Republican Party. If you want you can name just about any state in the Union and I will send you a Youtube video link of a Republican who is either voting for Joe Biden or will simply not vote rather than vote for Donald Trump. As I said before you can enter your own comments on almost all Youtube videos. Go and enjoy yourself. Have a great day telling people they are wrong and they were never really Republicans.
Don
Thanks John!
There are ‘many’ of us that feel that President Donald Trump has done a tremendous job of leading our country!
Well, I usually don’t engage in this sort of exchange, and I do prefer to see true news on The Suburban Times, but it’s been the vehicle for opinion pieces for years, so here goes with a reply to some.
A President is there to sign things and guide policy, among other things; to expect the same of a Senator and similar one-of-many electeds is rather silly and simplistic as a counter arguement. Biden’s been known (in fact excoriated by some) for working with “the other side” and so I won’t bother with a history of his many contributions to the Country’s business. That said, Biden’s appeal includes simple decency. Frankly, he was well-raised, can’t say that about our current President.
I believe a leader should show respect to be respected. His insulting dismissal of the military including veterans (don’t call pushing funding on the DOD as a sign if respect), his nearly nonstop bullying, lying, shirking of responsibility. cosying up with the worst of the world’s dictators while jerking around our allies, expecting to challenge China with world support from those allies, claiming success with N. Korea, Iran, etc,, I could go on.
The canned list of his “accomplishments”, beyond things he’s there to sign, are mostly photo ops and sound bites gambits that draw momentary attention to himself. That’s been his MO for his ENTIRE life. Many are so poorly coordinated or thought out that his staff is surprised so as to be unimplementable and forgotten. I could go on. I am not impressed with the veneer, it doesn’t mask how he and his loyalists have bastardized public service while enriching his family and those loyalists. He’s alienated the world, and I’m not so absorbed with our past greatness to think they will “need” us over the next few decades.
BTW, I use to mostly vote republican, but the party has driven itself and now the country into a ditch. And my draft number was 364 back when there was a draft. Draft deferrals were legal in many forms (I didn’t need one, not sure what I would have done at the age of 18 then), used by many. It’s been documented that Trump’s bone spurs rejection from service was a fabrication, as has been the case for most of his life and fortune. Debt indeed, bankruptcy just means stiffing people you owe. The Republican’s Borrow and Spend approach to everything will be paid for by our children. It’s a tragedy I believe, compounded with little benefit by our current President.
Thank you Don for prompting this conversation. Thank you all for listening.