Jordy's about to talk @ 10 EST

I wrote this back in mid-July when someone asked me why I think Trump is dangerous for America, or some version of that. Biden was still the nominee. It's longer than I planned to write but easily shorter than it could've been. Seems relevant now.

I've never seen Trump as a policy guy. I don't think he's ever been.  Trump is a money and power and adulation guy, always has been, look at his history.  Now I'm not saying you have to be a politician to be a policy guy and it's not a criticism, it's just not Trump. Not important except to consider what his motivations might be, if not policy. Love of America can’t be it, he’s not a public service guy nor is he charitable. He’s not a principles guy and flag hugging is just theater. It’s uselessly symbolic as an act. He’s a quid pro quo guy, everything is for sale and it’s the art of the deal 24/7. Therefore, I think it’s worth asking why he ever wanted to be president.

So, Trump pursues the ultimate grift, sold to him hook line and sinker by his new friends who do have policy and power aspirations but lack the profile and charisma to reach for it themselves, so a symbiotic partnership is formed. Trump is a vehicle for the policy aspirations of others and the others agree to provide money, power and adulation. This is the real trump train, climb onboard and I'll take you wherever you want, and I’ll tell you what you owe me later.

They feed trump policy, they define his target base and he does what he does best, he sells people on him, not policy, just some hot button issues and does a damn fine job of it. He's good at pushing all the right buttons. He is the best salesman I’ve ever seen, he’d have to be. He creates a vision of America that is so dark where he is the only thing standing between you and literally anything he can get you to worry about or fear. The story and the strategy has not changed.

So, why do I think he represents more risk to America? Because he stands for nothing but himself.  He’s a criminal who is a great salesman, a very dangerous combination.  I do believe in the saying where there is smoke there is fire, so take 50%, or 75% or 95% of what he’s been accused of and convicted of (go back before he was president and had all of these political “vendettas"), call it fog, smog, steam, anything but smoke and toss it all out. That last 5% smoke that remains, yep, I believe he’s a criminal.  And not a trivial criminal, I don’t buy the arguments about fraud - there were no victims, everyone does it, etc. We’re electing a president and like it or not, the president is a role model, maybe not one that people aspire to, but when a president lowers the bar on ethics, morality, decorum, etc., it serves make it acceptable for everyone to lower the bar and I believe that is very much what has happened since his first term. The hate speech, the divisiveness, the acceptability of targeting people because you don’t like them or they stand in your way.  

The lying.  So much lying that it is widely accepted.  These are all risks to our country.  I find it terribly ironic that so much of the current GOP messaging is to restore this country to how it was in better days and the vehicle for that messaging includes so many lies and exaggerations that are easily debunked - but in the process, the bar for decorum and ethical behavior is continually lowered, causing more dishonesty and negative social behavior - like hate, bigotry, etc.  If feels like a death spiral, we are at the same time, talking about the horrible state of affairs and making reality worse.

I could go on and talk about Russia and the world stage in general - I think the same things apply, he’s in this for himself, so he’s open to whatever - selling secrets, trading US action or inaction for the ability to build a hotel somewhere, etc.  I could go into project 2025, how I believe the GOP is wholly on the wrong track at this point and moving us toward what they say the Dems will do with people’s rights, etc., manipulation of the process of government, etc.  But that’s all out there in the news enough that I won’t here. This is already 10x what I intended so I’ll wrap it up here, but it’s been a good exercise for me to think more about it and articulate it. I think a big difference between the rabid supporters on the right and left right now is on the left, people know Biden is old, has failing moments but is still the best choice of the two. On the right, I continually encounter people that have the ability to just look right past all shortcomings of Trump and say, what? He’s fine? 

Last thought.  I don’t support Biden because I believe he’s still able to do the job or is in his prime or because I blindly believe in his decisions and policies.  I don’t.  It’s lesser of two evils to me, it is many elections.  I take a do no harm approach and when I look at Trump, I see harm in what he has done, what he has said he will do and in his language and how he carries himself. Not to mention, the % of his former cabinet and advisors that have either been convicted of crimes or have absolutely renounced Trump is a huge signal to me – they have all had the best access and front row seat, better than any of us.

I’m back, had to go catch some fish this morning with a friend.



Good use of time, right?