Donald Trump is probably going to end up being one of the biggest buzz words of 2016. Who would've thought that would happen? What a time to be alive, right?
It's a sad time in America when a primary causes such divisive and polarizing attitudes that they culminate in violence and illegal protesting. Democracy is, quite literally, the basis upon which this country was founded. Without our freedom to vote for who we feel will be the best leader in America, we may as well still be British.
That being said, the democratic system that makes America America has never seen a presidential candidate like Donald Trump. His combination of extreme ideas with unparalleled popularity is astounding, but extremity breeds conflict. You can't expect a guy who mocks prominent media personalities, denounces whole demographics, and proposes such extreme ideas to be well-liked by everyone.
Personally, I've always liked Donald Trump as a media personality. I loved watching "The Apprentice" and some of his interviews (before his presidential campaign) are engrossing, if for no other reason than his fascinating persona. Even as a presidential candidate, he's been a great entertainer. To quote John Oliver, "There's a part of me that even likes this guy. It is a part of me I hate, but it is a part of me." Love him or hate him as a president, there's no denying that he is unlike any politician to ever host a campaign and his matter-of-fact statements are a breath of fresh air, especially in an overly "PC" world that is dominated by career politicians.
However, does this man embody the ideals that the leader of America should embody? In my opinion, not at all.
Isn't that interesting, though? I was able to express my distaste for him as a presidential candidate by simply saying it. I didn't disrespect any of his supporters. I conceded that it was a personal opinion. I just made a statement that I do not think that Donald Trump should be the President of the United States in the same way that I do not think that Ralph Nader should be the president.
People aren't grasping this concept of having an opinion and leaving it at that, though. Just a week ago, a rally of Trump protestors shut down a highway in Arizona. This is a crime that transcends the right to peacefully protest. For one thing, it's a hazard (people do realize that ambulances sometimes have to use the highway, right?). It's also an embarrassment to our country. As a country, we should pride ourselves on our right to vote. Trying to defy the freedom of the democratic process undermines that right and makes us look, for lack of a better phrase, like we don't know what we're doing.
Here's the thing, despite the fact that Trump can be a despicable person sometimes (and an even worse presidential candidate), there is an undeniable fanbase for him. He has shown that people are tired of having to apologize for thinking that Caitlyn Jenner is not a hero. People are tired of having to dance around sensitive political issues to avoid the oppressive and angry voices of the vocal left wing pundits. It speaks volumes about the current attitude of our country that Donald Trump, essentially the antithesis of these things, is so popular.
Stopping Trump's meteoric rise (and likely nomination) can not be done through hateful rhetoric directed toward him or his supporters nor through ridiculous displays of protest. That only feeds the fire, making his supporters (the ones who are exasperated by how far to the left the country has been leaning lately) more frustrated. Reacting in such extreme ways to Donald Trump's extreme ways are so counterintuitive that it makes me question everything about how far we have come as a society.
This is not an endorsement of the Republican Party or the Democratic Party. This is an observation about stupidity and hatred being used to fight stupidity and hatred. This is America. America is about freedom. One of our freedoms as American citizens is our right to vote for whoever we want. If you disagree, then disagree. I can't be the only person who sees these extreme measures serving as nothing but extra firewood to an already raging bonfire, right?
