I’m happy that most of the people I encounter in my everyday life are decent people. Beyond my family, friends and neighbors, I watch and interact with people at the senior center, in restaurants, in stores, at salons, at theatres, and during my daily walks. I find the people I encounter to be courteous, considerate, friendly, and even generous towards others. So, how is that the majority of us have allowed ourselves to be ruled by wicked people in high places?
As kids we all encountered that playground bully who embodied shameless selfishness, violent aggression, the lack of empathy, and little fear of consequences. We all hated and avoided that monster. That bully was the reason we had adult supervision. Fortunately, most families and teachers concentrated their efforts towards curbing the behavior of such children, realizing that without intervention that bully would eventually become a danger to society. Most who continued along that path either ended up dead or in prison.
However, the trajectory is different for the bully who grows up with money and neglectful parents. We’re experiencing the consequences of how the Trump family allowed Donald to grow up to be a lawless and cruel person who sexually molested children and women, dodged the draft, defrauds vendors, insults others, threatens, cheats, steals, lies, insights violence, starts wars, and murders others with impunity. Most of us were shocked to find anyone who took him seriously as a presidential candidate in 2016.
People reprimanded Hillary Clinton for correctly labeling his supporters as “deplorables” because she recognized the depravity of folks who openly admired such wicked behavior. Trump supporters saw him as “authentic” because he unapologetically defied the confines of common decency. They viewed him as “strong” because he violated others without consequence. And they made him their hero because he promised to defend and restore the unearned privilege of white people. His unashamed wickedness, empty promises, coupled with xenophobia, racism and sexism were enough to get him elected twice because too many decent folks were either too busy or too apathetic to vote.
The problem is that wicked people, like Donald Trump, only become more audacious in their wickedness. Absent the guardrails of his first term, his corruption and evil ways have grown increasingly grotesque to most of us. He ignores the Constitution and our laws, enriches himself with our tax dollars, seeks revenge through the DOJ, and plasters his name and image everywhere. His vulgarity never ends. It’s disgusting to most of us and now our expressions of disapproval and outright disgust are everywhere.
Only 16% of Americans approve of his UFC fight happening today at the White House. Thank you, Mother Nature, for the forecasted heat, humidity, thunderstorms and tornado along with swarms of gnats and mosquitos that will make the event miserable. In addition, Algae has already infested the newly painted reflecting pool. Celebrities pulled out of his 250 Festival when they realized it was all about him, not the nation. Folks stood outside the Kennedy Center in the middle of the night cheering as his name was removed from building following a lawsuit. And of course, he was loudly booed by Knicks fans when his face appeared on the big screen during the national anthem at the Knicks and Spurs NBA finals game. Saturday night folks stood outside Trump Tower in New York to make sure he understood he was unwelcome at any future games.
Most Americans have heard and seen enough. They recognize the mistake of electing a truly wicked individual to the highest leadership position. The question is what will we do about it because this Republican lead Congress is full of cowards. We have many options. I’ve seen a lot of trolls, creatives, artists, comedians and podcasters matching his negative energy with their own. The protest songs, skits, and Lego videos just keep coming. The lawsuits are never ending and he keeps losing. The street protests are growing. The elections are happening and many are hopeful. However, if these don’t solve the problem, I dread seeing what comes next because it won’t be pretty. But whatever comes next, will be well deserved and hopefully effective in removing him and his entire administration.