TRUMP: History on his side

In response to R.H. Duffield’s letter, “Trump: Past is Best Predictor.”

In our current politically charged environment, it’s easy to get caught up in the rhetoric, and ignore history. But history can teach us something about how our past presidents have conducted their personal lives and how they have led the country.

According to Business Insider, the presidency is not without scandals of this nature — and certainly isn’t a predictor of how they serve the country in their role as the president of our United States. Take these examples: George Washington allegedly fathered children with a slave named Venus who lived on his family’s Virginia estate. Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence, was accused of fathering children with a slave, Sally Hemings. Warren Harding, our 29th president, is rumored to have had an affair with Nan Britton (and fathered a child). Franklin D. Roosevelt, our president during World War II, carried out a long-term affair with his wife’s secretary, Lucy Mercer. Dwight D. Eisenhower, the World War II general who was responsible for planning the successful invasion of Normandy, carried out a long-running affair with Kay Summersby, his driver.

John F. Kennedy had a number of affairs, many high-profile, and notably with Marilyn Monroe. Lyndon Johnson, the president who signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, reportedly had numerous affairs, including Madeline Brown for 21 years. (Eight other presidents were also mentioned.)

When considering President Trump (or in review of any of our past presidents), why not examine their voting record, the initiatives they supported, the good they brought to our country in relation to jobs, stable economy and a strong military presence? These records speak for themselves, and if our country is not the better for it — then don’t re-elect them!

K. JOHNSON

Rathdrum