How Bad is He Really?

Tiananmen Square in Beijing 30 years ago

The answer to the question posed in the title is - Terrible!

I can’t take it any more! Donald Trump is the worst President in my lifetime. Bar none. (In many respects worse even than Carter!) 

As much as I try to give him the benefit of the doubt, it is becoming more difficult with every passing day. His reaction to the current protest is appalling. I know he wants law and order. So do I. But to ignore the legitimate reasons for the protest and focus only on the violence is heartless and cruel. Although he says that he sympathizes with them, it seems almost like an afterthought.

To use teargas to disperse peaceful protesters just so he can take a walk over to a church to have his picture taken there with a bible in his hand is an outrageous use of his power. Instead of making a public appearance to express the horror of what everybody saw a white cop do to a black man; express solidarity with the black community and all people of good will;  he talks about invoking the Insurrection Act of 1807 so he can activate the military against his own people.

Can anyone even fathom a tank rolling down the street about to run over one of those protesters? Then again – you don’t have to imagine it. Thirty years ago, the Chinese army opened fire on student-led, pro-democracy demonstrators near Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Is this what America has descended to under this President? How can there be anyone that is not outraged by such a thought?! I don’t care how pro Trump you are!

I have just about had it with the level Trump’s incompetence in office.  Every day seems worse than the last. Every word coming out of his mouth indicates more ignorance and incompetence. He is a terrible leader. He does not know what he’s doing. And his critics keep increasing.

Just yesterday his own former Secretary of Defense, General James Mattis denounced him as threat to the constitution. He said this after promising never to criticize a sitting President. But I guess he couldn’t take it any more either. Not to be outdone, the current Secretary of Defense, Mark Esper broke with the President and said the following: 

"The option to use active duty forces in a law enforcement role should only be used as a matter of last resort and only in the most urgent and dire of situations," Esper, who once served in the National Guard, said. "We are not in one of those situations now. I do not support invoking the Insurrection Act." 

He opened his comments by saying what the President should have said: 

Esper called the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis policemen a horrible crime. "The officers on the scene that day should be held accountable for his murder," he said. "It is a tragedy that we have seen repeat itself too many times."
The secretary said racism is real in the United States, and "we must all do our very best to recognize it, to confront it and to eradicate it." 

The Oval Office has been disgraced by this President. I am disgusted!

That said, I have not changed my views about some of President Trump’s polices. Especially when it comes to Israel. There has never been a more pro Israel President in American history.

Yes…. I know all the counter arguments: That support has done nothing to improve the lives of a single Israeli. Some will even argue that the President has actually made things worse… that possibility of peace between Israel and the Palestinians is more distant now than ever because of the ‘pro Israel’  things he’s done. These are typical comments I have heard in reaction moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Has it not instead immeasurably damaged the peace process?

My answer is the typically Jewish one of answering a question with another question. Which is, ‘What peace process?’ The truth is that Palestinians were no better off before Trump than they are now. If anything Israeli Arabs (who are technically Palestinians that are citizens of Israel) have more representation in the Israeli Keneset than ever!

What the President has done for Israel is symbolic. He has made the relationship warm. It is a relationship that does not have any ‘buts’ in it.There is nothing conditional about US support for Israel under this President. UN resolutions condemning Israel will not happen under this President. The phrase ‘settlements are an obstacle to peace’  is scarcely heard anymore.  Financial aid given to the PA for humanitarian purposes that was routinely diverted to the families of terrorists killed by Israel - has ended.

And then there is his economic policies which - until the pandemic - contributed to the longest economic expansion in American history, more consumer confidence, and the lowest level of unemployment in decades even among minorities. Investment portfolios were swelling at record levels. I don’t think any fair minded person would dispute that.

What does all this mean with respect to the next election? That is one of the most depressing questions I have had in a long time. Joe Biden is pure gold compared to Donald Trump when it comes to, competence, leadership, and demeanor. 

But his pro Israel stance comes with all the old baggage. We can expect to start hearing again that settlements are an obstacle to peace. He might even put pressure on Israel to do his bidding. He has promised to reinstate the deal with Iran, easing their sanctions, making it easier for them to re-double their terrorist spreading activities all over the world. And he has promised to restore financial aid to the PA. Which means they will be able to resume rewarding the families of terrorists killed by Israel.

And who knows what will happen to the economy when a ‘tax and spend’ liberal Democrat takes over!

It will not be an easy choice for me this coming November. Going from Trump to Biden will be like going from the frying pan to the fire.  And as things stand now, that is exactly what will happen. I do not believe that Trump has a chance in the world of winning a second term. I don’t think he deserves one.  And yet...