Letter | Don’t be fooled; Donald Trump is a danger, not a savior

Donald Trump is a dangerous man because he appears as an “angel of light.”

Saying much of what a disillusioned public wants to hear, Trump tickles the ears and warms the hearts of many who desire straight talk and a reversal of many policies and practices which have weakened our nation at home and abroad.

He is very appealing in many respects, a breath of fresh air, with a sense of humor, self-confidence, and a willingness to engage all critics head-on, including those of his declared party of the moment.

A tough negotiator and successful businessman, not an established politician, Trump proclaims he has the skills necessary to “Make America Great Again.”

If the American public falls for this brilliant showmanship, it will have let its heart rule over its mind.

Trump is a loose cannon. As a CEO, he is used to getting his way and doing whatever it takes to accomplish his goals. He would make a fine dictator, if that is what America wants.

Trump has taken so many different positions on this and that, shifting as the tides change. At least Ronald Reagan believed in the principle of “trust but verify.” Donald Trump basically wants all to trust him. Do not worry about the details; leave those to Trump.

An American president, above all else, should demonstrate wisdom. Of course, he must be intelligent and capable of performing all necessary duties. He should be strong, passionate, and principled. But this does not include disrespect in any form.

How one treats his fellow man is of utmost importance. Name calling, bullying and bravado have no place in the American presidency. For these actions alone, Trump has demonstrated that he is not competent and should not be considered for any office of public trust.

The Framers of the U.S. Constitution wanted a strong executive, but one subject to effective checks and balances, placing more emphasis on the power of “We the People,” especially through the Congress.

As more power has gravitated to the president over the last century, do we really want to elect a president who advocates even more power be placed in this important office?

If the American public believes that crony capitalism and mechanisms of government, including party politics of both the left and the right, have so corrupted our republic, perhaps it is time to really push for another constitutional convention.

Article Five of the Constitution has never been used for this purpose. “We the People” truly have more power than we think. We can make America great again, but this cannot be achieved by one person, especially not Trump.

We need a full-fledged political revival in this country, one which drives us back to the belief that a republic rests on the collective actions of a responsible, educated citizenry. All of us have a duty to act, far beyond the ballot box. Our voices and continual participation in democratic processes should be focused on the talents and counsel of many.

We should avoid falling into the trap of the cult of personality, placing too much trust in glorified leaders who seemingly have our best interests at heart. History is filled with examples of “sheeple” who were led to the slaughter.

If and until we act wisely to make this republic work the way it was designed to work, let us not allow our emotions to get the best of us. Let us put someone into the office of the presidency who exudes confidence and humility, one who is highly principled, intelligent, and capable of guiding us in proper directions.

The writer lives in Surfside Beach.

This story was originally published September 1, 2015 at 7:46 AM with the headline "Letter | Don’t be fooled; Donald Trump is a danger, not a savior."