Trump Election Letter
I am certain that there have been many instances (known and unknown) of deep courage displayed for the good of our democracy by individuals who ignored their personal welfare in favor of something far greater, namely preserving the sanctity of our Constitution and repudiating anyone who sought special status above the law. When should self-enhancement be secondary to the national interest, and what price is too high to do so? Can everyone agree on the proper actions that benefit the national interest?
I am one person among many who is anti-Trump because of his many shortcomings as an individual and President of the United States of America. I must admit that I often ask myself what I would do if I confronted enormous pressure to perform the necessary ethical action, but which might greatly harm me. Can we even agree on what is ethical in various situations?
In 1868, Radical Republicans attempted to frame President Andrew Johnson during impeachment so that they might subvert the Constitution and establish their dictatorship through upsetting the balance of power among the three branches of government. If you are interested, please research this event. President Johnson was acquitted by one vote (35 for guilty, 19 for not guilty -2/3 needed for conviction). Various Republicans crossed party lines to save the President and our nation from a major catastrophe. None of them ever held another political office. Yet, they retained their honor and personal integrity, while setting an example that current senators and others should emulate by speaking against Trump’s post-election antics.
How can anyone admire government officials who are afraid to confront an unstable demagogue because they believe he would seek revenge upon them to the extent that they could be ruined politically? Did they enter politics only for the prestige and benefits while removing their backbone? Whoever said that leadership is without serious challenges? Even though one knows what is correct, I suppose that it is not easy to choose patriotism over moral cowardice. What must Trump’s puppets truly think of themselves?