The fact that I am about to add to the absurd amount of publicity that surrounds Donald Trump sickens me. However, after winning seven states in last week's Super Tuesday, it is evident that his momentum is not going to just dissipate. Instead, it is looking ever more likely that he will be the Republican nominee. As a political science student, I am frequently asked, “What do you think about Trump?” So here it is, my complete overview of why I just cannot - and will not - support the paradox that is Donald Trump.
The American public has expressed that this election is pertinent to the direction of our country. Citizens have come to the realization that our fundamental principles such as democracy, equality and human rights are being threatened. In recent years, progressive laws - such as same-sex marriage and states legalizing the use of marijuana - have been passed. National issues like Ferguson have incited campaigns that address the lingering issues of racism and inequality in America today. In order to keep propelling our country forward, we need a president who is going to address and support these progressive issues. Donald Trump is not the person for the job.
In order to have a substantial change in the country, we need a substantial change in the style of leadership. Citizens are so desperate for a candidate who isn’t your typical “run of the mill” politician. Trump is definitely different; I’ll give him that. However, does being different really make him a good candidate? He’s different in the fact that he is more arrogant and narcissistic than the average person, which makes him willing to go up on stage and spout his dated ideals. It takes an intellectual person to be able to do something other than promote racism and misogynist ideas.
Now - after gaining his support - he wants to get rid of his brash persona in order to be more “presidential”. So, you mean he’s going to act more like a politician? Too bad he can’t erase all of his misogynist comments that are all over YouTube and Google. He thinks he can just suddenly change his views on women, the disabled and immigrants after years of trashing them. People claim they cannot support Hillary because she has flip-flopped on issues so many times. Trump is flat out saying he is going to do the same. He is clearly more like a politician than the American public really thinks.
Trump’s catchy campaign slogan of “Make America Great Again” in itself is contradictory. America is a nation made up of immigrants, Trump’s family included. The American Dream signified that if a person moved to our country and worked hard enough, they would be able to create a prosperous life for themselves. Instead of promoting this, he does the opposite. The “land of opportunity” under Trump is limited to those who are white, male, natural-born citizens. No more immigrants will be coming in once he builds his wall, which apparently Mexico is paying for. (Even though a spokesperson for Mexico said that was 100 percent false.) He also refuses to accept any Syrian refugees or people who identify as being Muslim. His version of making America “great” involves limiting the power and money to robber barons such as himself, causing our country to move back 60 years.
Excuse me, more like 62 years with his immigration plan that mirrors that of Eisenhower’s. Trump has failed to provide any details on how he will execute most of his absurd policies. However, this one he is more than willing to give details about. The kicker is that it isn’t even his own original idea. “Operation Wetback” didn’t work then, and it sure as hell won’t work now. Rounding up people and deporting them to Mexico is not only inhumane, but it won’t help the workforce either. “In some small cities dependent on the labor of undocumented workers, immigration experts predict that 5 percent or 10 percent of the workforce could literally vanish.”
For someone who is such a successful business man, he should already know this, right? Ironically, he does because he would rather employ immigrants for his casino jobs so that he doesn’t have to pay Americans a decent wage. His four bankruptcies - which happened over 25 years - destroyed small businesses. With Trump, no small businesses will be able to thrive. That’s exactly what he wants.
Our democracy is frequently said to not be a democracy at all, but an oligarchy. Those with the money have the ability to sway policy, or elect certain people into office. Billionaires are rapidly taking over America, Trump being one of them. Trump not accepting any money from donors does not mean that he is not part of the problem. He is simply just cutting out the middle man.
Yes, Trump has the ability to buy his presidency, and he is doing it. He is most likely laughing in the American public’s face for how easy it was to rise to political success. Everyday we get closer to letting a man who is irrational and ill tempered run our country and be our commander-in-chief. We need a candidate with strong values and policies, instead of impressive political stunts.
