It's my party and I'll cry if I want to
How many narcissists does it take to change a light bulb?
(a) Just one -- but he has to wait for the whole world to revolve around him.
(b) None at all -- he hires menials for work that's beneath him.
Demagogue: A political leader who makes false claims and promises based upon emotion and popular prejudices, rather than reason.
We are currently witnessing the rise of a volatile, narcissistic demagogue, a billionaire who is attempting to bully and buy his way to the Republican nomination for President. I, and many of my Conservative friends, are deeply disturbed at this alarming and dumbfounding turn of events. The reasons why we must not nominate Donald Trump are profound and numerous. Here are just a few:
He is not a Conservative, but a political opportunist of the worst order. His opinions are subject to the winds of politics or his current whim. He has supported gun control, abortion, single-payer health care, punitive taxation on the wealthy, Obama’s stimulus, the bank bailouts, and the buying of influence through political donations (the very thing he so stridently decries). He has a 30 year history of supporting Liberal causes and finances. In his campaign, he constantly contradicts himself.
He is an empty suit. I have carefully watched all of the Republican Debates. His performances consist of constant bluster and braggadocio, outrageously impossible promises (the wholesale deportation of 11 million people, making Mexico pay for building a border wall, etc.), unbridled hostility, character assassination of anyone who dares to disagree with him, and a demonstrable attitude that he is exempt from the rules of the debate, and even from the common rules of civility which we would expect from a normal, mature person, not to mention, from a President. When pressed for the details of his plans, they are never forthcoming, because he simply has none. I can recall few concrete details, other than that he would bring offshore money back to the U.S. and would eliminate state lines for the purchase of Health Insurance. His foreign policy cannot be revealed, because we dare not give away our secrets!
He does not have the temperament or maturity to lead us.
Donald Trump is used to having people do what he asks or orders them to do. When he does not get what he wants, he begins to bully, bribe, or even sue (one of his favorite pastimes). He is, quite possibly, even more thin-skinned than Barack Obama, who has made a habit of systematically demonizing dissent and refusing to work with those with whom he disagrees. At least Obama has the excuse of rigid ideology. Trump believes only in winning. He has behaved like a garden-variety high school bully in the body and business suit of a grown man.
He cannot win. First of all, there are many Republicans who are vehemently opposed to his nomination. Many of them claim that they could not vote for him. Secondly, most polls show him as the weakest candidate we could choose to run against Clinton or Sanders. Thirdly, the Mainstream Media is notoriously Liberal. They have been curiously supportive of Trump, by giving him free, non-stop coverage, and by refraining from mining his rich store of questionable behavior. They, and the Democrats are praying for him to be the Nominee. Then the Media would set about systematically destroying him.
My personal pick for President would be Marco Rubio, who has shown himself to a true Conservative, as well as a man with the experience, knowledge, integrity and temperament needed in a strong leader. However, I could also choose any of the current Republican candidates over such an obvious Flimflam Man.
Karen Lawson is a Coeur d'Alene resident.