TRUMP: My kind of narcissist

I found Mr. Black’s article in Tuesday’s Press “Donald Trump: A study in narcissism” most interesting. First of all, I think the writer needs to tell us which party he supports because the article sure sounds like a statement by a Democrat.

Mr. Black gives one definition as “…extreme selfishness, with a grandiose view of one’s own talents and a craving for admiration…”. A quick search will reveal that Trump is not extremely selfish and has given to support a number of causes. His recent trip to aid flood victims in Louisiana is just one example.

But, notice the presidents on his list. If a person is going to be successful in this world he must have “a grandiose view of one’s own talents.” It is associated with a “can do” attitude. Who wants a president who is not confident in what can be accomplished? If we do not try, how can we be successful? Trump has made it clear that there are a number of things wrong with our country and he is going to take steps to correct them. Will he be successful in all of them? Not likely. But, how will he know if he does not try.

Picture a coach, if you will, who simply tells his team to go out there and play. Maybe they will succeed and maybe they won’t. Of course they won’t. A good coach has confidence in his team and what can be accomplished. And such is the same with a good president. He is confident in what can be accomplished, and he is going to give it his best shot.

My daughter reminded me of a passage in the Bible, Ephesians 5:29 which says in part: “For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church.” I think the point is that there is a certain amount of narcissism in all of us: And especially if we expect to be successful.

To be politically correct we have to be prepared to compromise and to make adjustments. But the one who believes in a cause moves ahead without consideration of failure.

If we have to elect a narcissist to make any positive changes in our country, then I side with the narcissist. It is easy to simply give up, to insist the task is simply too great. I trust that does not happen.

I think of Teddy Roosevelt at San Juan Hill. He was not a quitter, and so the battle was won. I trust Mr. Trump does not listen to all this chatter, that he will have a successful campaign, and that he will be a successful president. Comments: [email protected]

JIM HOLLINGSWORTH

Coeur d’Alene