Tag: Resist Trump

“For the Want of . . .” (with apologies to Ben Franklin):

by James P. Shafer, posted in Bridges Not Walls, Defending the Constitution, Ethics in Government, Politics, Resist Trump

For the want of a Soul, Honor is lost,
For the want of Honor, Honesty is lost,
For the want of Honesty, Trust is lost,
For the want of Trust, the President is lost,
For the want of a President, the Nation is lost,
And all for the want of a (single) Soul.

You may think it far-fetched (as most of our elected representatives from the Republican party apparently do).

If you think about what has REALLY made America one of the greatest Nation’s in History, though, you may begin to see what I mean:

It has not been our military strength.  With no disrespect intended to the members of our armed forces, we have fought and won most of the wars in our past from the position of the unmistakable under-dog.

The one notable loss, in Vietnam, was despite our vastly superior military power and the horrific sacrifices made by the soldiers we sent to fight on our behalf.

It has not been our economic power.  For most of our history we have been largely an agrarian economy, squarely in the also-ran category.

And even though our Nation’s Founders were uncommonly wise and well-intentioned, our laws and national institutions (often cited as the source of our strength), have frequently proven to be fallible and insufficient.

Think of the blight of slavery and the illegal incarceration of U.S. Citizens of Japanese descent during World War II, not to mention the more recent failing of the Electoral College to function (as intended) as the emergency brake on the disastrous outcome of a general election.

As a Nation we HAVE been favored with tremendous natural resources, a strong tradition of hard work and self-reliance, and a citizen-army that has heroically pulled our fat from the fires of tyranny and destruction more often than we can count or have any right to expect.

What has really distinguished us, though, from the long-line of nation states which have risen (and fallen) before us, is our “Soul” as a Nation.  That is the True source of whatever greatness we have attained in the past (and hope to regain in the future).  It is embodied by our shared ideals and aspirations, even if we don’t always live up to them.

It is not that we are always and infallibly exceptional among the Nations of the World, past and present.  As the degenerate who currently occupies the highest office in the land has delighted in pointing out (and actually exemplifies), we frequently fall far short of the standards by which we measure other nations and their Leaders (or rulers as the case may be).

That Soul, though, is the spark that has fired the courage of countless Minutemen, Infantrymen, Doughboys, and G.I.’s facing overwhelming odds in all corners of the globe throughout our history.

It is the source of the ambition which relentlessly drives our fellow-citizens to improve their own lives in pursuit of a better future for themselves, their children, and the World as a whole.

It is what has drawn countless millions of destitute but strong-willed and stalwart souls to our shores, making themselves and all of us immeasurably richer by any standard you can think of as a result.

It is why we stand up to bullies (individuals or nations) rather than join them – because there are many who have tried to bully US.

It is why we root for the underdog – because we have quite often BEEN the underdog.

It is why we, as a people, are drawn to honest effort, fair play, and civil behavior among and between ourselves and our neighbors – because many of us, directly or through our forebears, have borne the scars of corruption, malfeasance and injustice.

Most of all, it is THE defining trait which, in spite of our many failings and shortcomings, has marked America as an unmistakable and indispensable force for good throughout most of our History.

AND – it is the one trait that our current leader (aided and abetted by the party for which he is the chosen standard bearer) so obviously, irrefutably and catastrophically lacks.

As a Nation we have proven time and time again that we are able to shoulder any burden, overcome any hardship, and defeat any foe of Liberty.  Thanks to that shared “Soul” inculcated in all of us, we have faced those challenges with bravery, steadfast determination and more confidence than a rational people should be able to muster.

The one enemy we have not had to face until now, though, is an elected president who neither shares our commitment to those lofty ideals nor even believes in them.

How we, as individuals and citizens, respond to this threat will surely determine the fate of our Nation – as surely as the want of a horseshoe nail determines the loss of a kingdom.

Friends, Neighbors, Countrymen . . .

by James P. Shafer, posted in Election, Politics, Resist Trump, Uncategorized

Let’s face it: a LOT of them (many whom I personally like, admire, and respect) voted for Trump!

Why?

If we are to have any chance at all of bridging some of the deep and daunting chasms that currently divide us, I think we have to try to understand the rationale behind the decisions made by those intelligent and well intentioned fellow citizens who viewed the same set of facts yet came to radically different conclusions.

I should probably disclose up-front that I proudly voted for Barack Obama twice and would have just as proudly voted for him a third time if that had been an option.  I did so because in each of those two elections I believed that given the choices available, he was the candidate best suited for the Presidency.  It was NOT because I believed wholeheartedly in all of his positions and policies.

As a matter of fact, I absolutely LOATHE Obama-care: it has personally cost me several thousand dollars in higher insurance premiums and deductibles while significantly reducing the level and quality of care I am able to afford.  I also think President Obama made several serious mistakes during his presidency.  The most egregious was probably the failure to back-up his “red-line” ultimatum when the butcher Assad used chemical weapons against his own people.

So, I really DO get the frustration that many Americans felt with the status-quo and their strong desire to fundamentally change the direction that the career politicians in Washington seem content to follow.  I was also fervently hoping for a strong, fresh, “New Face” to emerge as a viable candidate.  I was particularly impressed by  Republican Governor John Kasich of Ohio and Michael Bloomberg, formerly the Republican Mayor of New York City and a “legitimate” self-made billionaire.

Had either one of these fine individuals emerged as the Republican candidate, my choice would have been very easy and very Republican.  Unfortunately, that’s not what happened.

As we all know, the choice came down to two almost equally repugnant candidates.  So – how did I make my own decision?

Well, during the course of the first presidential campaign that I can recall (at the ripe old age of six!) I asked my Dad why he decided to vote for Kennedy instead of Nixon.  I still remember his answer & his advice: “Always vote for the Man, not his positions and not his party”.  This was obviously way before a Woman could be considered as a viable candidate, but I’m sure he would have had no problem expanding his world view and his advice accordingly.

I have done precisely that in every election ever since.  Win or lose, I’ve never had cause to regret my choices.

In considering the only two viable candidates left standing in the 2016 election, I came to the conclusion that Hillary Clinton, flawed though she undoubtedly was, would be considerably less likely to do lasting permanent damage to the fabric and moral character of our Nation and its institutions.

Based on my knowledge of Donald Trump’s shady business dealings as well as his utter lack of any personal integrity, I viewed (and continue to view) him as an existential threat to the great and grand experiment in self-governance that we call America.

Just because a good many of my friends and acquaintances viewed the same set of circumstances but reached a completely different conclusion does that make them traitors, racists or “deplorables”?

Of course not.  As a matter of fact, given what is at stake here, I honestly hope that THEY were right in their judgement and that the analysis outlined above is dead wrong.

No matter how the national drama now unfolding before us works out though, we will NEED the best efforts and intentions of ALL American’s to heal the self-inflicted wounds that are now tormenting us and build a better, brighter future – together.

 

 

Die Hard Democrat Or Sore Loser?

by James P. Shafer, posted in Election, Politics, Resist Trump

Neither, actually:

As a matter of fact, in the nine previous presidential elections in which I have been privileged to cast my vote, I went with the Republican candidate four times, the Democrat four times and an Independent candidate once.  So, I think you can see that I am legitimately a “middle-of-the-road” type with no strong preferences for either of the political parties and no “hidden agendas” to pursue.

I think it is also worth noting that although my preferred candidate was not the winner in four of those previous elections, I had no problem at all accepting the results of those elections and lending my full support to the elected President.  Every single one of those previous 20+ candidates, of all political persuasions, clearly demonstrated in words and deeds their commitment to the Constitution and their genuine, unselfish desire to do their best for our Nation and ALL of its citizens.

To paraphrase the words of “Uncle Joe” Biden, I often questioned their judgement, but I never had cause to question their motives.

THIS Time, however, it IS different:

Throughout his campaign, during the transition, and even more stridently since January 20, Mr. Trump has repeatedly demonstrated his utter contempt for the lofty ideals enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.  The principles of Equality Under the Law and individual Liberty are either completely foreign to him or he has judged them to be unworthy of his time and attention.

His track record, stretching back more than 50 years, is highlighted by criminal discrimination against minorities, fraudulent business dealings and atrocious conduct towards women.  This history provides concrete proof that he lacks the strong moral character, unassailable integrity, and even the basic sense of decency that our Nation’s founder’s considered to be pre-requisites for any President.

The blatantly illegal and continuing conflict of interest between Mr. Trump’s many business holdings and his duties as our President cast serious doubt on his ability (or even his desire) to govern openly, honestly, and fairly.

Even more egregious is the increasingly obvious role played by Russia in thwarting the will of the American electorate and criminally interfering in our democratic process for the benefit of their “preferred” candidate.  In my view, this is the most troubling and the most damning of all the factors arguing against recognizing Mr. Trump as our Nation’s legitimately elected President.

In light of these circumstances, I believe it to be the duty of all concerned citizens to resist by all peaceful means this obnoxious “pretender to power” and his increasingly reckless policies.

This blog represents my best effort to do just that.