If you do not watch John Oliver’s “Last Week Tonight” you missed him accomplish something that no politician has been able to do; he exposed Donald Trump for what he isn’t.

Oliver began by quoting what his supporters say; ‘he tells it like it is.’ ‘Politifact’ checked 77 statements made by the real estate mogul, and found that 76 of them contained some degree of falsehood.

Trump says he is funding his own campaign, which is true, but there is some sleight of hand involved. He has loaned himself $17.5 million. According to campaign laws, if he receives donations from individuals, which he suggests on his website, he can pay himself back from those funds prior to the election.

Nothing was off limits for Oliver. He exposed Trump’s ‘flip-flopping’ on issues such as abortion, banning assault rifles, and the acceptance of Syrian refugees. But most importantly, he revealed the ‘Trump brand’ for what it truly is; an illusion.

Trump lent his name to several construction projects which have never been completed or were failures post construction. The majority of Trump’s business success is based on his name.

So Oliver discovered Trump’s actual surname before the family changed it, and asked the following question.

“If you are thinking of voting for Donald Trump, the charismatic guy promising to make America great again, stop and take a moment to imagine how you would feel if you just met a guy named Donald Drumpf, a litigious serial liar with a string of broken business ventures and the support of a former Klan leader who he can’t decide whether or not to condemn. Would you think he would make a good president, or is the spell now somewhat broken?”

I began to picture the ‘Drumpf Towers,’ or his private jetliner with ‘Drumpf’ instead of Trump. What I was unable to imagine is ‘President Donald Drumpf.’ Of course I could never consider a ‘President Trump’ either.

You see, I am an Independent, and I vote for the best candidate. For me a presidential candidate must fit most of my criteria before I cast my ballot. I have been able to vote for 49 years. I have selected both Democrats and Republicans, but also third party candidates when I felt that they were the best choice.

The man or woman who seeks residence in the White House must have experience in government; have qualifications such as intelligence, the ability to use diplomacy before considering force, and an intention to work across the aisle, seeking compromise and forgoing gridlock. Finally, he or she must pledge to represent the majority of Americans and shun special interests and the one-percent.

Donald Drumpf does not fit any of these requirements. Even his business successes are questionable at best.

But look at the other two choices offered by a party in flux. Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio are TEA Party darlings; they are the reason our government is broken.

Cruz is the most extreme politician in the nation and has caused more harm to America than any other man or woman in Congress. He has lied and approved unethical practices in an attempt to obtain his personal goals. Although his actions prove that he is not a follower of Jesus Christ, he claims to be a Christian, pandering to gain support from the Christian religious right.

Rubio is just too immature to be considered for our nation’s highest office. He lacks the intellect and experience to be our president. He has not been credited with one positive accomplishment during nearly six years in the Senate. His work ethic is questionable, having failed to vote 40 percent of the time.

Now; will you vote for ‘Donald Drumpf?’ No one wants a ‘Drumpf’ as the leader of the free world.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

Source

Photo Courtesy of TechCrunch

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