I have never been a one vote kind of person. Nor do I always align with one party. I suppose in that regard I have been an independent by definition. I tend to examine each candidate in a particular race and vote for the person who’s view most closely aligns with mine as well as considering which candidate seems most qualified for the job. The reason that I have consistently voted against Donald Trump is simply because I do not believe that he is qualified in any possible way to serve as president of our nation. In my mind he is at heart simply a good salesmen with enough lines to convince many people to buy the malarky that he is peddling. He is nothing more than an empty suit intent on selling me a product and that is not the kind of person who should be sitting in the Oval Office making life changing decisions that not only affect the United States but all of the world. 

I bring this up because I am still receiving messages from people that I have known and loved for decades who attempt to change my mind about Trump. Somehow in spite of overwhelming evidence these souls still believe that Trump is a great leader whom I simply do not understand. The truth is that I have worked with people my entire life and in the process I have learned how to assess individuals and understand what makes them tick. It is how I have been able to help struggling students and work with colleagues in a spirit of congeniality. I use the same abilities to assess politicians and determine which ones I am willing to entrust with the powers of their offices. In that regard I have always been wary of Trump.

Form the time that Trump came down that golden escalator my radar went off and told me to be wary. He is the kind of man that my single parent mother warned me to avoid. I learned how to be streetwise from her and as such I always understood when I was in a dangerous situation. Trump sets off those vibes in me every single time he opens his mouth to insult women. There is a “creep” factor in the words that he uses and the way he lives his life. He is the poster boy for the kind of man who never learned how to respect and treat women with dignity. 

I do not hate Donald Trump as many people have accused me of doing. Instead I feel sorry for him which probably would bother him more than if I simply disliked him. He is a broken insecure soul who was probably damaged during his childhood and taught to be selfish and brutal by examples that he witnessed. Maybe he even has a touch of mental illness that hides behind his brash behavior that some see as confidence. He does not fool me and he never will. A confident and intelligent person does not require constant adoration nor does a healthy person lie and boast with every word. 

I would have been willing to eat my words and change my mind if Trump had ever demonstrated a command of economics or an understanding of democracy. Instead he roars and bumbles his way through each day in office with insults and ridiculous plans that are bankrupting our nation and tarnishing our reputation in the free world. Not once has he shown a sense of compassion nor has he ever attempted to understand differing points of few. He behaves like a spoiled little boy who demands to have his way. He would rather have people bowing and scraping and demeaning themselves than experts to help him guide the United States to greatness. 

Because of my beliefs about Donald Trump I have confused some of the people that I have known and loved for most of my life. They have asked me why I am hateful or reminded me of the religious beliefs that we were taught in Catholic school. They sometimes let me off of the hook by assuming that I am simply gullible or naive. They still love me but seem to desperately want me to adopt their views of Trump, something that will never happen because Trump will never change. 

I grieve for my beloved United States. I am not a  radical nor have I abandoned my moral code. In fact my beliefs are more intact than ever. I have deeply studied the history of our nation and the changes in our laws that were designed to help the many rather than only the few. I love the diversity that has replaced the old WASPish views that only white men were worthy of holding power. The United States is better when people of every point of view and color and level of education and sex and religious beliefs are brought together under one roof. We soar when we show kindness and understanding rather than gripping a narrow view of how the world should be and who should enjoy its benefits. Under Trump too many people have been sidelined and abused. 

I have heroes who’ve been Republicans. I thought that John McCain was an American hero who would have been a good president. I learn much from Steve Schmidt, Adam Kinzinger,  Joe Walsh and many others who once represented the Republican party. I find great potential for our nation in young people with promising ideas like Zoran Mamdani and James Talarico. I believe that we will overcome our problems as a nation once Trump is no longer in power. He has done great damage but we know how to set things right. We always do!