First of all, let’s forget about the cheating on the taxes and the sexual predator. Or the fact that he lies. A lot. Not that those things aren’t important; they are. But everyone knows about them, and has their minds made up. Anyway, here are a few things people don’t talk about much.
Trade Policy
Well that sounds boring enough, doesn’t it? But let’s think about this. He says he’s going to put huge tariffs on imported Chinese and Mexican goods. Because their manufacturing puts ours out of business. Sounds good: “Yeah, stick it to those Chinese. We need American made stuff!” The trouble is, a tariff is an added tax on these imports. So he wants to put a 45% tariff on imported goods from China, 35% from Mexico, plus other tariffs for other countries. Now everything from China will cost a lot more. Do you like the dollar store? It won’t exist. Like good prices at Walmart or Meijer? They’re going to be a lot higher. Like buying American cars? They have lots of foreign parts. Those prices are going to go way up as well. Think the cost of living is high now? Just wait. Want a recession? Well, you got it. Yes, we all wish more things were made in America, but this is not the way to do it.
Climate
Trump can’t do a lot of the things he says he’s going to do. He obviously doesn’t really understand how government works. He sometimes behaves as if he’s running for emperor, not president. But there are things he can do. And messing with climate change is an easy one. He can’t get rid of the EPA alone, but if he asks congress to do it, and if the congress is largely republican, do you really think too many of the republicans in congress are going to stand up for the EPA? Not a chance. Or how about the new Paris climate change agreement? He doesn’t need any approval for that one. It will just be negated. After all, he says climate change is a hoax. We all know better, whether we like it or not. If you want to make sure the worst of climate change is going to happen, then vote for Trump. After all, who needs cities like Miami, NY, or LA? Just let them flood. It won’t happen for quite a few years, so what do we care?
Discrimination
Recently a predominantly black church was burned, and painted with “Vote Trump.” No, Trump didn’t do it, but these are the kind of people who follow him. Yesterday, a middle aged white male with a huge Trump sign in his yard, and who likes to carry a Confederate flag, murdered two police officers, somehow because the killer hated the BLM movement (as does Trump). And no, again Trump didn’t tell him to. But his act of terrorism seems to go hand in hand with what Trump says. And Trump’s constant put down of Muslims, African Americans, and anyone who isn’t white, has a toll. His supporters (disciples?) see that, and now it is just a little more OK to be that way. Don’t think this kind of stuff will go way up? Think again.
Freedom of the press
I find this one very chilling. Trump routinely calls out the press for being biased against him. That’s bad enough when he says it in a general way. But when he points to a particular reporter and says she’s bad, she’s the worst, that will have an effect. All the reporters say it doesn’t bother them, but they have to say that. It has to make them a little concerned, and to think twice about what they're writing. And when he calls all journalists crooked scum, even if nobody hurts the journalists, it encourages his followers to ignore what the press says. That way, Trump can say his version of the truth. I’ve seen enough quotes from Trump supporters to know that many of them only believe him already. All the rest of the press lies, they think. This to me is very scary. It sets Trump as an authoritarian like this country has never seen. He has shown he will do everything he can to control the press. Just like his Putin does. I don’t know what you think, but it sure scares me.
Corruption
Yes, he says Hilary is corrupt. Maybe she is, but I’m pretty sure when all is said and done, we’ll find she hasn’t done all that much wrong. But Donald? Late in the month, his trial for fraud concerning Trump University begins. (BTW, the judge handling this case scheduled it for late November so it wouldn’t interfere with the election. Think how this election would be different if we were hearing all this testimony against Trump…. But back to the point.) If you’ve read anything about Trump U, you know it was a complete fraud. If he’s willing to do that, what makes anyone think he’s going to be honest in Washington? Or how about the multitudes of people he has stiffed after they did work for him? Or how about the fact he gives almost nothing to charity, yet tells people he does? (Sometimes his foundation gives money, but that’s not his money.) That’s other people’s money. (My favorite story is here. Amazing.) Finally, just think if we had all his emails and communication for the last 10 years like we have of Hillary’s. Do you think he’s going to be looking good? Not a chance.
I could go on, but this is too long already. But the whole idea of a Trump presidency really scares me. If you're still here, thank you for reading.
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