I’ve seen various arguments from Trump supporters about why the man with the funky hair should be our next president. But each time I hear these arguments, I feel that they contradict themselves by omitting aspects of Trump’s platform, speeches, and overall character. I recently read an article by a fellow Odyssey writer on why she believes Donald Trump should be president. I am taking this opportunity to directly address her points and explain why I believe Donald Trump should NOT be president.
“Yes, the man might be a total prick, but when’s the last time you or your friend said that Obama was acting like a major jack-a** at the bar last night?”
Why would you want “a total prick” to be your president? This is a title that comes with so many responsibilities and I want a president who is able to be civil, respectful, and diplomatic. I don’t want my commander in chief to alienate every other country on the planet because he can’t learn how to be honest without being offensive. He’s not your drinking buddy. He’s a presidential candidate and should act like one.
“Donald Trump is not a personable person, he's made that obvious in press-conferences, rallies and all over social media. But realistically, are any other politicians any less of an asshole?”
So I guess we’re picking the lesser of two evils, huh? I think it is an unfair generalization to say that politicians as a whole are assholes. That’s like saying all white people are racists or all Mexicans are rapists who bring drugs and crime into the U.S. (although we assume that some are good people).
“He is a businessman. He knows the market, he knows the economy—this man can help the country as a passionate American businessman, not a politician."
I concede that Trump is a business man. But a successful one? No. At a recent political rally, Trump boasted many of his business ventures in what "The Daily Show"’s Trevor Noah called “the best, classiest infomercial ever.” ABC News conducted an investigation into these ventures, which included Trump Steaks, Trump Magazine, Trump Winery, and Trump University.
According to this investigation, Trump Steaks were sold by The Sharper Image starting in 2007. The electronics company went bankrupt in 2008, was re-established in 2010, and no longer sells this product. ABC News claims that the steaks could also be purchased through the home shopping network QVC, whose website claims they are sold out of the product. The steaks that were showcased at Trump's event were wrapped and labeled as Bush Brothers & Co. The owner of the Florida-based meat company, Doug Bush, claimed that while their company sold steaks to several Trump establishments, they were in no way affiliated with Donald Trump.
Trump Magazine is also no longer produced as of 2009. The magazine Trump held up at his rally, titled “The Jewel of Palm Beach,” can be found at many of his clubs, but is published by Palm Beach Media Group and in no way affiliated with Donald Trump.
Trump Winery, however, is fully operational and completely legitimate. Patricia Kluge, ex-wife of multimillionaire John Kluge, sold it to Trump in 2011 after she reportedly spent $100 million in developing the company. The president of the winery is now Trump’s son Eric, and the winery is no longer affiliated with Donald Trump or any of his companies, according to their website.
That brings us to Trump University. After enduring a string of lawsuits over purported fraudulent and illegal activities, Trump University ceased operations in 2010. Donald Trump has called these claims false and claims he will reopen Trump University if elected president.
“‘Politician’ connotes lying, scheming, untrustworthy and selfish.”
See, that’s the funny thing about connotations: they are subject to interpretation. The very definition of ‘connote,’ according to Merriam-Webster, is “to make you think about something in addition to the word’s meaning.” Just because you interpret the word ‘politician’ to mean someone who is untrustworthy and selfish does not make it true. Just because Donald Trump is not a politician does not mean he is not all of those descriptors that a ‘politician’ connotes.
Your fallacious argument is as follows:
Politicians are liars, schemers, untrustworthy, and selfish.
Donald Trump is not a politician.
Therefore, Donald Trump is not a liar, schemer, untrustworthy, or selfish.
“While Trump might not be the most generous man in America, he is always straight-forward with his ideas, he does not lie to Americans and he makes it clear what and how he wants to do to better this country.”
If you read the investigation into Trump’s supposedly successful businesses, you will notice that he does, in fact, lie to Americans.
“Trump is putting education and debt above all. As a student today, education is something that is very near and dear to my heart.”
If you go to Trump's political campaign website, you can view his positions on what he believes to be the most important issues facing America. His extensive tax plan professes to decrease spending and debt, yet not one of his plans involve education or students. How can he claim to put education and debt above all if it’s not even a position included on his platform? It appears that he’s putting his plan to build a wall between the U.S. and Mexico above all else.
“All the shit Trump has gotten from his ideas on building a wall, his ideas are ideal. He wants to make peace with Israel, he doesn't hate Mexicans, he just wants immigration to be legal. Trump has the right idea to make peace with our neighbors and bring unity to the world for better trade, for better relations, and for a better all around world to live in.”
It may be my lack of knowledge in the field of international relations and foreign affairs, but I don’t understand how building a wall would make peace with our neighbors. And I don’t believe that making peace is Trump’s intention. I believe he wants to keep Mexican immigrants from entering the country because he believes they are bringing drugs and crime into the country and are “taking jobs” from “hardworking Americans.” And all the “shit” Trump is getting for his idea of building the wall is because the wall is a ludicrous endeavor. This wall will cost over $25 billion to build and maintain and he expects the country of Mexico to pay for it. Former presidents of Mexico, as well as the current treasury secretary of Mexico, assure Trump that Mexico is not paying for the wall under any circumstances. Will Trump then force the American people to pay for a wall that wouldn’t solve anything? Even the U.S. Border Patrol claims that building a 30 ft. wall will not decrease illegal immigration; it will only create a market for 31 ft. ladders.
“Trump is not afraid to call people out. He speaks his mind, and he says everything he wants, without a care in the world. He's honest, and he's truthful. Why wouldn't you want a man like that to be president? A man with balls, a man with a strong head and a man who knows how to get what he wants.”
Ah, yes. Trump sure does speak his mind. Which brings me back to this point: He is not your drinking buddy. He is a presidential candidate and should act like one. Of course we want a president that is honest and truthful, but we don’t want a president that is rude, offensive, and xenophobic. I don't want a “man with balls” who “knows how to get what he wants.” I want a president, man or woman, who knows how to get what the American people want.
“Wanna know one more thing that would make Trump a great president? His hair. Like a man that has so much confidence and money, and walks around with whatever it is that has been confirmed to be his real hair, and doesn't change a damn thing about it? And still manages to have a very attractive woman as his wife? That's a man who can do anything and succeed. That is a man who is winning.”
Who cares what he looks like? I know we like to take digs at the candidates’ appearances, but the appearance of a presidential candidate is the second least important aspect of their character. The first least important aspect of their character is how attractive their partner is. Just because he has an attractive wife does not mean he is a successful man. That’s like saying I’m a successful student because my boyfriend is smoking hot.
Let’s face it, Trump supporters. While this article is only one example of why you believe Trump should be president, these arguments can be heard over and over again by Trump's blind and faithful apostles. It’s frightening to think that there are thousands of people that support the ideals of someone so flagrantly disrespectful, xenophobic, and irresponsible. I for one will NOT be voting for Mr. Trump this fall.
Disclaimer: All facts are correct to the best of my knowledge and can be attributed to the source links above.
