Dear Donald Trump:
I was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. Growing up there in the 1960’s and 1970’s has affected the rest of my life. Since the beginning of the United States before the Revolutionary War, Maryland (and Baltimore in particular) has been a place where ideologies collide, where people argue, where differences occur not only politically, but geographically. This is the state where North and South met during the Civil War, where people rioted in the streets, where Lincoln called in troops for when Maryland was voting whether to stay in the Union, to make sure the nation’s Capitol wouldn’t be surrounded by confederate states.
By the time I appeared on the scene, Maryland was a very liberal state. The unions were strong. My grandfather (a WWII veteran) was a meat cutter and member of a strong local worker’s union. It was because of that union he was eventually able to retire after decades of hard work. Political discussions were a natural part of life in those days and argument was expected. I went to very forward leaning schools and received an excellent well rounded education. I grew to believe in civil rights, minority rights and women’s rights. I was raised with the idea that democracy REQUIRES honest debate! It was ground into the very atoms of my brain.
True to my upbringing, I love a good argument. To me, everything should be discussed and argued to the point of agreement, or stalemate...just ask my husband who has patiently dealt with that aspect since we met. In return for arguing a point on a true and honest level field, I expect my opponent to show me the same courtesy, to come to the argument armed with facts and/or figures, to bring an opposing view grounded in reality...above all else, and to at least respect my level of knowledge and honesty enough to argue with decency and a little dignity.
In my early twenties I met and married my best friend. During the period between meeting and marrying, he joined the military. He stayed active duty for 23 years and did a tour in Afghanistan. Together for all of these years, as a family with our children, we made a career out of service to our Country. Now retired, we are watching our son enter active duty military service with pride, joy and CONCERN.
You are the reason for that concern.
This is NOT a television reality show Mr. Trump. This is not something to joke about or make snide remarks toward. This is a Country...MY COUNTRY. It is MINE! It is my husband’s, my daughter’s, my son’s and my granddaughter’s. Even with all its faults, it has been fought for, worked for, guarded and loved.
Regardless of what is said on the television, ALL Americans love our Country...not some, ALL. All Americans want our children to have opportunities we didn’t. All Americans consider ourselves patriots...all of us.
I have stood beside my husband and worked HARD for his career...as a wife, mother and as a registered Democrat. I did it because I want my Country to LIVE UP TO the ideals given in our founding documents. I want my Country to do BETTER than our past, not worse. I want us to be the lone example of equality in the world, not lower ourselves to the level of someone who refuses to treat others with respect. I want MY Country to reject the blaming of minorities, women and our poor for its problems.
The Flag at the top of this letter is from Ft. McHenry in Baltimore. It is the battle tested flag that Francis Scott Key wrote about in his poem “Star-Spangled Banner” which became our National Anthem in the early 1900’s. I have stood with my son on the ramparts of Ft. McHentry and used an actual looking glass to look out into Baltimore Harbor, Mr. Trump. Have you? Do you have ANY idea from your privileged upbringing the level of sheer grit and hard work it has taken from us to make America the last great superpower on the planet?
I have quietly watched as some of our political groups, news groups and radio personalities have tried to separate us, tried to use fear and anger to make us turn on each other, tried to make lying such a regular occurrence as to appear normal and tried to make up their own “facts.” After decades of it, they have had some success. Lucky for you, since without our their successes you would have no candidacy at all. When people feel they have been dealt a raw deal (whether it is true or not), it’s very easy for them to look for the scapegoat and you are the living embodiment of how low the Republican party has gone in scapegoating.
Yeah, but I’m done quietly watching Mr. Trump. I watched your disgusting disrespect for women on display at the debate. I watched your comment about the appearance of the pageant winner (do you own a mirror?) I watched your gleeful pronouncement that paying no taxes makes you smart while some Americans struggle to eat and your chosen party took food away from our children. Because, ALL American children are MY children. I watched your inability to get even ONE DAMNED historical or political fact correct!
You see I’m from Baltimore Mr. Trump...and we don’t play. I’m done being quiet. You are not worthy to hold the office of Commander in Chief of our Armed Forces. You are not worthy to take the reins of the greatest Country on earth.
Sincerely,
A military wife, military mom and true patriot.
