Cartoon and text by John Auchter
Like most of us, I’ve pretty much run out of things to say about the election. Any thoughts — from salient points to outraged rants — have been expressed. I see many (cartoonists, commentators, Facebook posters) are settling now for “wow, what a messed up election season this has been” reflections, and that’s certainly understandable.
But I figured the most honest way for me to summarize would be to have one last go with Mr. Trump. He showed up again in Michigan this week, and I really, really, really tried to wrap my head around the idea of why I would consider voting for him.
A lyric from a song by the group Stars came to mind. (They’re Canadian, but it think it still applies.) It goes:
“When there is nothing left to burn, you have to set yourself on fire.”
To me that means that if you reach a point of total desperation, there is nothing left to do but to take a chance on anything else. If you feel that the current America is completely lost and hopeless, then, yes, why not cast your lot with a charismatic promiser-of-things like Donald Trump? It has romantic appeal that satisfies passionate desires. I get that.
I just don’t agree with it. First, I have faith in the American system. It can be aggravating and slow, untidy and unfair. Sometimes it feels broken. But that’s the way it has always been — we’ve been much more broken than this (1860, 1932, 1968) and not turned to demagoguery to find a way forward.
Second, he is simply not suited for the job. Emperor? Maybe. Generalissimo? Probably. But President of the United States? I don’t think so.
But in an election where feelings have won out over facts, it comes down to this: Trump is exactly the person my parents brought me up NOT to be. Why would I help make him my country’s leader?
John Auchter draws cartoons. Lots and lots of them. You can find them at his incredibly popular website auchtoon.com. You can also find his stuff on Michigan Public Radio’s website under Opinion.
In every respect Trump is simply UNFIT to be President of the United States.
I’ll take a chance on Trump because he’s the closest to being to a Pro-life candidate. Then I’ll hope and pray for our government of checks and balances to work.
Sometimes we have to compromise. If you are only focused on abortion, work to change the law, or work to educate people (checks and balances. Remember, Trump only became a Republican in 2015 so he could run for President. Was he Pro-Life before that? He had to walk back a comment about punishing women who had an abortion. I am horrified by everything else about him.
Bingo Andrew, and Judith! Pure and simple.
I have seriously come to the conclusion that Trump is mentally ill?
The correct term for Donald’s mental illness is a “SOCIOPATH” He has all the classic signs. It scares me to think this “Highly Disturbed” person would be the leader of our great country for the next 4yrs. Please DO NOT cast your vote for this poor excuse of a man!!!!! Just saying!!!!!
“Narcissist” fits well, also.
Here’s 4 reason Hil-liars should NOT be President. Chris Stevens, Sean Smith, Tyrone Woods, and Glen Doughtery. Every American should know who these heroes are, but in case there might be some liberal out there who either doesn’t know or doesn’t care, they are the 4 Americans killed in Benghazi, Libya because no help was sent by the Secretary of State nor the President.
There’s an interesting interview with Rep Jason Chaffetz (R)on YouTube weeks after their deaths. Google Chaffetz Benghazi. He very clearly says he and other Republicans voted against request for additional monies for embassy security.
He repeats several times “we have priorities” Seems he’s fought very hard on the committee maybe to cover his own part in their deaths.
Please note I spelled his name and gave his title.
To insinuate that liberals “don’t know or don’t care” about the four men killed in Benghazi is a reprehensible thing to say. I am so sick and tired of Republicans/conservatives suggesting that only they are patriots and that only they care about this great country and its diplomats and defenders–whether military or contracted. My father and both brothers–all liberal Democrats–served this country honorably. My father, who was born in Germany and came to this country as a young boy, served in the U.S. Army in Germany during World War II. My older brother served four years in the U.S. Navy, and my younger brother served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force. Millions of liberals serve this country every day in the military, as police officers and first responders. Liberals and Democrats love and serve this country too–conservatives don’t get to claim those ideals as their own. There were seven or eight partisan and non-partisan investigations into what happened in Benghazi and Hillary Clinton was not charged with any wrongdoing. The Republicans bear some responsibility in Benghazi due to refusing to adequately fund requests for additional security not only at Benghazi but at other U.S. embassies and diplomatic outposts.
My nephew was an Embassy Guard in three countries, one of which was attacked. Guards are there because this is dangerous duty. Hillary Clinton has had to take all of the lies and hatred about Benghazi, because if she defended herself it would trivialize the deaths. This, of course, allowed Republicans to start screaming that she was a murderer. She personally did not murder 4 people, and sadly, far more deaths occurred under previous Secretary of State watches.
As I recall me and most of my fellow soldiers in the early ’80s were quite liberal but many supported Reagan’s foreign policy views. I’ve never understood single issue voters, fortunately our system rarely allows them to force others to conform to their views.
America has its problems, that’s true. No human endeavor is flawless. But I am just sick of hearing Trump’s constant barfing of how rotten this country is. He cannot say it enough times. Why? So that he can be America’s “hero” and make it great again. He said it himself: no one can save this country but him. Oh puhleeeeeze…..
Right there with you, John.
Donald Trumps entire campaign has been lies and bullshit, no facts please. His followers do not want the truth, only perpetuation of his tantrums and rants. He is not qualified to be president of our great country.