I cannot think of a single reason why voters should elect Donald Trump, but I can think of many why they should not.

Being an “old fart,” my image of the President of the United States may be quite different than yours. As an original baby boomer, I was raised in a patriotic nation. Attending school in Los Angeles in the 1950’s we were taught about the history of our nation and its great leaders. An image of Jefferson, Franklin, Adams, Madison, and our first president, George Washington depicted dignified statesmen who were intelligent and wise.

The study of Abraham Lincoln and his ‘Emancipation Proclamation’ was one of the most inspirational teachings of my life. His courage throughout the Civil War and beyond envisioned a man of extraordinary intellect and a deep sense of purpose. His love of country and its people was incomparable. He died too soon.

Teddy Roosevelt was brash, but spoke with the courage of his convictions and offered ideas to make American greater and stronger. His love for nature is why we have national parks today.

His cousin, Franklin Delano Roosevelt represented all Americans. His struggle to improve the lives of the working class has never been equaled. For most Americans, he is the greatest president of all time. His courage and dignity in the worst of times, both personally and as the leader of the free world, will be praised by all future historians.

The first president I remember was Dwight D. Eisenhower. He helped our nation defeat the greatest tyrant in modern history, and proceeded to lead our nation forward and away from the tragedy and difficulty of war. He offered strength and resolve at a time when our nation needed it most.

I was a senior in high school when John Fitzgerald Kennedy was assassinated. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I remembered his inspirational speeches. His presence, even across a television screen, was truly presidential. For 13 days in October of 1962, I was frightened, but somehow knew that President Kennedy would get us through, and America would be safe.

Ronald Reagan was called the “great orator.” His speech did inspire me. I supported him in his first term. He was a talented diplomat who worked with Premier Gorbachev to make the world safer. He never raised his voice or personally attacked his opponents.

George H.W. Bush was a gentleman who was forced to work with insurmountable problems when he took office in 1989. He worked across the aisle with Democrats, and established social programs which continue to benefit the American people today.

Bill Clinton’s fiscal policy gave our nation its first surplus in decades. His intellect and ability to reach every man and woman in the United States is still respected by the American people.

George W. Bush instituted failed policies, which caused pain for the American people, but he always conducted himself with dignity.

President Obama is a supreme orator. His intellect is obvious every time he speaks to the American people or people around the world. His fiscal policies moved our nation from the great recession. Although he encountered the “party of no” for eight years, he managed to make some positive changes which positively affected the majority of Americans.

Then there’s Donald Trump. He does not possess one of the qualities of the former men I described. He has never worked for the American people at any level of government. He claims that his success in the business world makes him qualified to lead our nation. His campaign is based on lies.

His financial world is filled with bankruptcies, and questionable ventures such as Trump University. His “foundation” is filled with corrupt actions which could bring criminal charges.

Trump’s refusal to follow presidential protocol and release his tax returns raises many questions about his financial activities. His ties with Russia add additional questions about his “business practices.”

His crude rhetoric is alarming. He claims to have solutions to defeat ISIS, but they are “secret.” His has no experience in national security, and would be a danger to the safety of our nation.

The head of his campaign staff, CEO Steve Bannon, is a member of a white supremacist group, “Alt-Right.”

Trump has always lived a life of privilege and luxury. He has never worked with average men and women, and has no understanding related to the difficulty of their daily lives. His life in a golden tower makes him completely out of touch with most Americans.

It is impossible for me to imagine such a vile man as Donald Trump as the President of the United States. He hates the America of our founding fathers, and constantly suggests the repeal of portions of the Bill of Rights. He would not defend our Constitution; he would repeal sections he dislikes.

If you are a patriot, please repost; thank you.

Op-ed

By James Turnage

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