Phyllis Schlafly died this week. Most of you are too old to remember her and her anti-feminism beliefs. Schlafly was a white man in a woman’s body. While other women were fighting for equality, she fought for the status quo. She promoted extreme conservatism during a time when change was beginning in our nation. In the late 1970’s Schlafly led the fight to defeat the Equal Rights Amendment. No surprise, misogynist Donald Trump idolizes her.
“Phyllis, who is rejoined with her late husband, Fred, is looking down on us right now and I’m sure that she’s telling us to keep up the fight,” Trump said during a funeral at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis.
Once again, I question the truthfulness of Trump’s remarks. He is a desperate man. Trump has been denounced by most conservatives in the Republican Party, and his worship of Schlafly is likely an effort to court this faction of the GOP. There are major differences between the two, but one stands out above the rest. Although I detested her view of women, she believed in what she was doing; Donald Trump believes in nothing except advancing his own agenda. He has flip-flopped on every issue. He has become the ultimate panderer. His failure to attract more than a single demographic greatly reduces his opportunity to obtain sufficient votes to win in November.
What Trump and Schlafly share is a belief that “women have their place.” Last week Trump claimed that Hillary Clinton did not “look presidential.” As he continued his explanation, it was apparent that he was referring to the fact that she was not a man. During the first Republican “debate,” it was obvious that Megyn Kelly and her team were instructed to attack Trump, his response was entirely anti-woman. His reference to a woman’s menstrual cycle was disgusting and unforgiveable.
I find it reprehensible that Trump has lowered himself from his true beliefs in attempts to recover in the polls. His visit to a black church in Detroit was farcical. Now his questionable support of Schlafly is another sad attempt to gain support.
Both events were likely the idea of his third campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway. Her only talent is as a “spin doctor.” Like Trump, she has no real beliefs; no concern for America’s future. She, too, is an opportunist.
The Trump of the last month is a façade. The Trump we saw for more than a year is the real Republican standard bearer. The proof is in the addition of the latest members of his campaign staff. Besides Conway, he selected Steve Bannon as his CEO, and David Bossie as Deputy Campaign Manager.
Bannon is a notorious homophobe, and a white supremacist. Bossie has a single purpose; to create scandals about Hillary; his same goal in 1992 when Bill Clinton was running for president.
Trump continues to be evaluated by the ‘company he keeps.’ From homophobes such as Mike Pence, to white supremacists like Bannon, we know who Trump truly is; he cannot hide from reality.
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Op-Ed
By James Turnage
Photo Courtesy of Gage Skidmore
Follow me on twitter: @jamesturnagenov
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