I've been kicking around writing this post for quite some time. I don't often venture into politics in such a direct fashion but current events compel me to say what I'm about to say. The circumstances putting me over the top in determining my necessity to write about this revolves around Charlottsville and what Trump said. It was my line in the sand with the people that still support Trump. It was the moment in time that forced me to rethink and adjust my relationship with Trump supporters.
I know from experience just how hard it is for someone from a right-wing persuasion to admit they have been wrong. I get the righteousness, the unique ownership of the cloak of patriotism and the pre-ordained chosen mind set. What I can't understand is where their line in the sand is?
Now, just as a reminder, here is what Trump initially said about the events that took place in Charlottesville. It is instructive because it is his unfiltered reaction revealing his true "heart and soul".
Since the video is a little long and rambling here are the choice comments.
We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry, and violence that's on many sides. On many sides...(emphasis mine).
... We have to come together as Americans with love for our nation and true affection — and really I say this so strongly — true affection for each other. (emphasis mine)
Sorry, I do not want to have true affection for Neo-Natzis, white supremacists and racists and a President that strongly thinks that I should is sick in my book.
Giving false equivalency between groups glorifying Nazis and white supremacists with counter-protestors against such hate groups is crossing my line in the sand. Racism, bigotry, the celebration of Hitler and the genocide of 6 million Jews is never OK or justifiable in my mind. And people who support,tolerate or ignore the behavior of such hate groups are not "good people". They are sick too.
But the comments Trump made shortly after the tragic events in Charlotesville is only the latest example of sick behavior. He suffers from Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
The American Psychiatric Association says that anyone exhibiting five of the following nine egotistical traits has Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Count up how many Trump exhibits:
1. Has a grandiose sense of self-importance (exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements).
2. Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love.
3. Believe that he or she is “special” and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with other special or high-status people.
4. Requires excessive admiration.
5. Has a sense of entitlement.
6. Is interpersonally exploitative.
7. Lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others.
8. Is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her.
9. Shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes.
I counted 9 out of 9. Pretty strong evidence of mental illness in my book?
Recent polls and focus groups of Trump supporters reveal growing impatience, frustration and discomfort with Trump.
Once again the video is a little long but here is a choice quote from Christina Lees, an independent who leans Republican and voted for Mr. Trump.
“everybody knew he was a nut,” but that they hoped for him to achieve good things when they backed him."(emphasis mine)
It is encouraging that some Trump voters are starting to have their doubts. But that is not nearly enough. Even an apology is not enough for me.
Yes, an apology is a good start but I require much, much more than merely contrition.
I want a litmus test.
A litmus test is a question asked of a potential candidate for high office, the answer to which would determine whether the nominating official would proceed with the appointment or nomination.
Why do I ask for this? Because their votes for Trump are causing immeasurable harm to our country. Real damage is being done to our economy, environment, foreign policy, defense agreements, immigration policy, trade relations and most importantly the way we relate to each other.
I want to see an apology coupled with a pledge of action; that in the future, before voting, they determine if the candidate they are about to vote for still supports Trump and if he/she does they pledge not to vote for them.
Here is the petition I want circulated and signed by the growing number of disgruntled Trump voters.
By signing this petition I admit I made a mistake in voting for Donald J. Trump for President. I want to apologize to the American people for my mistake. As proof of my sincerity I pledge I will investigate each and every person I am tasked to vote for in the upcoming election to determine if that person still supports Trump. If the answer is yes I will not vote for that person. It is the least I can do to help repair the damage I have caused by my previous vote.
In the beginning of this post I said Charlottesville was my line in the sand with the people that still support Donald Trump. Let me be clear what I mean by that statement because I have friends who postulate a "live and let live" approach to issues; that there are no inherently bad people in this world and that if you just took the time to "understand their story and frame of reference" you would see where they were coming from. I think this reasoning is wrong, naive and dangerous.
There are very psychologically sick, emotionally flat-lined evil people in our world. Diving deep into their past there is most often good reason for their disfunction to be found. But that doesn't mean we can change the way they are and how they believe and act. That's why we have a criminal justice system and prisons. They need to be removed from society.
Lines in the sand are points at which, if crossed, a person is forced to fight to preserve their way of life. For societies there have been many lines in the sand that have caused war. Taxation without representation and the resulting American Revolution, slavery and the subsequent American Civil War and the invasion of Poland by Hitler and the start of World War II are recent examples .
Yes there were two sides represented at Charlottesville. One side represented evil. If their ideas were ever forced on me they would cause me to fight for my way of life.
And no Trump. You are wrong. I do not condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry, and violence that's on many sides. On many sides...
I condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence that's on one side. On one side.
And I will not come together as an American with true affection for these types of people. I will fight against them because they have crossed my line in the sand.
I believe you are very sick Donald. I truly believe you suffer from Narcissistic Personality Disorder. I'm sure there are good reasons found in your past for your disfunction. But that does not mean I can change the way you are and how you believe and act. That's why I have to fight you Donald. That's why you need to be removed from office. And that's why I have to fight anyone who still supports you too.
cross posted at http://holyshitters.com