Raising Reason

I’m glad Donald Trump decided to run for President. He has helped me to finally understand how Obama was elected twice, how Hillary Clinton is still in the political arena and why the Republican party is dead. Thanks, Donnie, for embodying pragmatism and proving that principles are for sale.

As social media blossomed, making it easier to connect with others on political concerns, my friend requests on Facebook tripled and my news feed was mostly political commentary. The Tea Party groups, the ThreePercent, Patriot groups, and various politically minded Veterans groups were springing up all over the country. I thought, “wow, every day Americans willing to fight for Individual Rights, recognizing the power they held, coming together to save a country that is unique in the history of mankind.”

Then, a funny thing happened. Our rights were being violated on an almost daily basis, one ‘crisis’ after another happening so fast that we hardly had time to react and we were losing ground. People were losing heart. It seemed every time I went to meetings of these new politically interested groups, I left feeling more isolated from them and disheartened myself. I just couldn’t seem to figure out why. Really, I didn’t want to believe the reason.

People weren’t fighting for the Constitution and Individual Rights. They were arguing over who would be the next dictator in power. They were fighting for their own brand of religious or conservative edicts to be put in the form of legislation to rule everyone in the country. What happened to the Constitution and Individual Rights? “Shut up, Lisa, we’re a Judeo-Christian nation and if you don’t like it, LEAVE! Go join the Occupy people, you bleeding heart liberal!”

Here we are now, in the midst of picking another President, and I naively believed that reason would prevail. Surely, this time, people would realize it was time to be serious grown-ups and choose a real scholar, a Constitutionalist, and a gentleman. I am not shocked, but disappointed, to know how many Americans are willing to throw principles out the window, toss common sense and decency aside, make excuses for despicable behavior, all because they are angry. They are angry and Donald Trump speaks for them, they say. “So, he’s not really a nice guy, but damn it he’s going to make America great. Whatever he’s done, I’m sure it’s been for a good reason and the greater good. He’s rich, a wheeler-dealer, born in the US of freaking A. He’s going to build a wall and keep out those Muslims. And if you don’t like it, Lisa, then you’re just a feminazi, commie, Bernie Sanders supporter!” Oy.

When Donald Trump entered the race, I thought it was a joke. When I realized he was serious, I figured it was just a publicity stunt. Finally, realizing he meant to run a real campaign, I decided to hear him out and give him a chance to convince me. The more I heard from his own lips, the more disgusted I became. He’s a man who has become wealthy by being intelligent about how to play people and play the system. Fine. He’s a reality TV star. Fine. He parlays his wealth into playing politics that will benefit him. Not so fine. But, even taking all of that out of the picture, here’s what I’m left with to judge him:

1. He calls women derogatory names, demeans them, dismisses them by virtue of their femininity. “So what?” you say, “I don’t like Rosie O’Donnell or Megyn Kelly, either.” Well, he did the same thing to Michelle Malkin and she’s one of the finest conservative women in the country. I’m a woman and I won’t put up with this kind of behavior from anyone. But, I’m supposed to overlook that because he’s going to make America great. Mmhmm.
2. When he talked about Ted Cruz, he said nobody liked Cruz, nobody wanted to work with him, hell Ted wasn’t even born here! I couldn’t have been the only one who heard the school bully saying “nobody likes you, nobody wants to sit with you, why don’t you just go home?”
3. He makes fun of a person’s physical disability. Really? Like an uninformed pre-adolescent, he mocks a disability. I can just see him making fun of people from around the world, not to mention our own citizens. How well would his ‘humor’ go over if he was pissed at a wounded vet? “Oh, Lisa, he’d never do that!” Right. I trust him.
4. He has no solid plans to accomplish his goal of making America great. None. Nada. Zilch. I’ve researched until my fingers bled and listened to every recording I could until my ears bled. Everything out of his mouth is vague. He’s a circus barker.
5. He refused to go to the last debate because he doesn’t think Megyn Kelly treats him nicely. His supporters say he’s got the backbone to stand up to mainstream media. Bull. He’s a bully and a narcissist who is throwing a temper tantrum. This is not the temperament of a United States President. Not the kind of President I would want, anyway.

Donald Trump is a man who is openly disrespectful to women, mocks those with a disability, and acts like a blustering school bully. As long as you are on his good side, you will find favor. If you disagree with him, he’ll find a way to make you pay. He has no problem trying to publicly humiliate anyone for any reason. This is a man I would not want in my personal circle nor would I hire him in my private sector business. This is a man I would not invite into my living room. Why the hell would I want to hire him to live in the White House and represent my country?

If you want to change a culture, you have to start with yourself. Is it possible for one person to really make a difference? Of course! Change always happens with one person at a time. How do you think socialism came to dominate the United States? Do you think half of the country woke up one morning and said “Hey! I’m really feeling like socialism is great today. Let’s do this!” Yeah…probably not.

So, what are you contributing to the promotion of reason and a culture of freedom? What are you doing to promote a more civilized society? Believe it or not, making posts on Facebook whining that the demise of our country is at hand or that the younger generations are a bunch of weak willed, lazy imbeciles, does NOT change things for the better. Arguing over minutiae while failing to address the philosophical foundations of this country (Individual Rights) does not advance our civilization one iota.

Take the time to educate yourself about this country. You may think you know enough, but trust me, you don’t. WE don’t. There is always more to learn. I recently took the Hillsdale College Constitution course. It’s not perfect, but it was enjoyable. I love history. I love this country. So do they. Check it out.

There are so many resources available for education, thanks to technology. It’s about damn time to use the internet for more than posting selfies. There is a world of knowledge at our fingertips and yet my Facebook news feed is filled with regurgitated Main Stream Media articles or worse, inflammatory articles from questionable and strange websites. Do your best to verify information. Use your best judgement to discern whether an article contains factual information before reposting it. We all make mistakes from time to time, just strive to do better in disseminating stories. Instead of just reposting a link to an article, try writing something about what YOU think of the content or write something without a link to an article! It’s a good way to exercise your brain and people really do want to know what you think. What YOU think matters.

Make the commitment today to start the change you wish to see. Make it start with you. Is it going to be easy? Hell no. You need courage and reinforcement daily. You can do it. I’ll be here for you when you’re weary, as others have been there for me. While it may feel like a lonely quest, the reality is you are not alone.