Presidential

I would really like to stop writing about this fool, but I just can't. I realize that my lack of respect for him may seem hypocritical when I have always encouraged others to at least respect the office. Throughout my life, there have been presidents for whom I did not vote and with whose ideas I did not agree. (In an effort to make that sentence grammatically correct, I fear I may have also made it awkward. But I think you know what I mean.) Here's what I see as the difference of then compared to now: While I didn't agree with all of the views of all of the presidents, I did believe that -- despite their human foibles and opposing views -- deep down they were human and really did want the best for the country.

I don't feel that way now. (I'm sorry, but I can't bring myself to say his name or even acknowledge in writing that he has that position.) I think now we have someone representing us who doesn't, at least not most of us; who portrays our nation in the worst possible light; who cares for no one except himself. He cannot admit he was wrong on anything, and to prove that point -- as if it needed further illucidation -- today he canceled a major vote rather than accept a loss. Don't most of us accept loss and/or defeat and learn how and what to do better next time? If you don't accept the consequences of your decisions, how can you ever hope to be and do better? Those questions aren't rhetorical, at least not entirely. I really want to know.

Is anything better now than it was before January 20? Stocks were up briefly, but the last few times I've checked they've been down again. I honestly can't think of any way our country is better off -- but I can think of lots of ways it isn't. I am not a pessimist; I am the eternal optimist. However, I do think we need to see what's wrong before we can address it. And there's a lot of addressing to do.