Note: this post sums up my problems with Donald Trump as president of the USA. It was written before the 2020 election, but I wasn’t fully satisfied with it so I didn’t post it until now. Scroll to the bottom to see articles I wrote and published before the 2016 election.

Vote for Joe Biden. Why? Because it will get Donald J. Trump out of the White House. That is the single most important issue in 2020.

My problem with Donald Trump as President?

The lies. He cannot tell the truth. Maybe he believes what he’s saying. It doesn’t matter. He is not a source of reliable information. Here’s a database of false and misleading claims made by Trump. One of his whoppers, which means a lot to me personally, is his promise to release his comprehensive healthcare plan to replace the ACA (aka Obamacare). Often, he has said the plan will be revealed in two weeks. As of this writing, there is no such plan. Trump has more confidence in conspiracy theories than in his world class intelligence agencies: the NSA, FBI, CIA, etc. Trump’s inability to seek the truth, discern the truth and convey the truth is reason enough to disqualify him from any public office. But, there’s more.

The corruption. Read: 3,400 financial conflicts of interest, compiled by CREW – Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. Trump refused to separate himself from his business interests as is required by the constitution and he has enriched himself while serving as president. Yes, he gives up his salary (though I would like to see receipts) and he could probably make more money by resigning and sticking to business. That’s no excuse for him dragging his Secret Service and other entourage to his expensive resorts and golf clubs and steering foreign dignitaries to his hotels so they can access US government power. That is unconstitutional.

His disrespect for America’s allies.

His fawning admiration for America’s enemies and dictators. Especially Russia’s Vladimir Putin. What is his deal with Russia? He has never said a word of criticism about Putin. Do they have kompromat on him? He has never revealed his taxes, despite promises that he would once nominated, so we don’t know his financial entanglements with foreign institutions. My guess is he simply admires strong men who use any means necessary to secure power and enrich themselves. Whatever the reason, he is not acting in the best interests of the nation he vowed to serve.

Trump’s incompetence in governing. Nowhere is Trump’s incompetence more apparent and deadly than in his haphazard leadership in our nation’s greatest test, COVID-19. To date, more than 200,000 Americans have died from COVID-19. We are 5% of the world’s population and 20% of the world’s deaths. While health experts with the CDC and NIH have said Americans need to wear masks, practice social distancing and develop testing and contact tracing, the president has ignored, contradicted and defied the guidance of his own health experts by holding massive, super-spreader rallies, refusing to wear a mask and saying they don’t work. He told a rally that he instructed his people to slow down testing because it made the USA look bad. His own White House was shocked at his egregious dereliction of duty and immediately denied that he actually did that. It’s just talk they said. But, the next day, Trump confirmed that it wasn’t just talk; he slowed down testing.

Trump’s herky jerky leadership is on display in every area – foreign and domestic. Trump supporters admitted in 2016 that he was inexperienced, ignorant and probably unteachable with regard to governing (so true), but they assured us that he would surround himself with the best experts in every area and he would allow them to do their jobs. Today, this wishful thinking is laughable. Read the Brookings Institute’s list: President Trump’s “A Team” turnover is 91% as of September 3, 2020. No other president has come close to the turnover of the current president, leading to the question, is he not able to competently vet his hires or is he not able to competently lead a team of experts? Either way, it is gross incompetence.

I Don’t Care What He Says. I Like His Policies

Sure Trump says some crazy things. But, his actions speak louder than words. One evangelical Christian professor, Wayne Grudem makes this argument. Policies over Personality.

Here is a more popular form of the argument from one who calls oneself Jessica Clark (Swain), who is likely a Russian Bot:

But the Judges

The most important policy area that attracts evangelical Christians to Trump is his pro-life position and resulting policies and strategies. The top strategy has been to appoint judges and ultimately supreme court justices (now, three) who might limit access to abortion. This is the greatest hope of pro-lifers and greatest fear of progressives. On abortion, Trump has been consistent, at least during the four years of his campaign and presidency.

Policy is important, but even more important are results.

• Roe v. Wade is still the law of the land and, according to recent SCOTUS appointees, settled law. Trump has had four years and SCOTUS has a conservative majority. So far, they’ve refused to engage on Roe v. Wade.
• Planned Parenthood still receives government funding.
• Abortion is easier to attain now with medically induced abortions. It’s as simple as obtaining a pill.

Single issue anti-abortion voters are wasting their votes.

“No president since 1973 has succeeded in overturning Roe v Wade. If someone has been a one issue voter since 1973 they have wasted votes that could have had an impact on other issues. There are many critical issues facing our country and no one party gets them all right.” – Rich Stearns

No president since 1973 has succeeded in overturning Roe v Wade. If someone has been a one issue voter since 1973 they have wasted votes that could have had an impact on other issues. There are many critical issues facing our country and no one party gets them all right.

— Rich Stearns (@RichStearns) June 26, 2020

What Does It Mean to Be Pro-Life?

Let’s take it literally. All human life matters to God and should be valued and protected. But is that what Pro-Life Trump supporters mean? It seems there is only one pro-life issues that matters to them: abortion.

Other Pro-Life Issues:

• Refugees and Immigrants, children kept in cages
• Seniors and others in fragile health, living in retirement centers and skilled nursing facilities, threatened by COVID-19
• 185,000+ American human lives taken by the COVID-19 “PanDumbic” which Trump has bungled
• Poor, hungry,
• Black Lives

Truth Matters Too

We need to be pro-truth voters. Trump has told 20,000+ lies during his campaign and presidency.

What Others Have Written

By Nicholas Kristof: ‘I Keep My Promises,’ Trump Said. Let’s Check.
Here’s a report card on whether the president met his 2016 campaign pledges.

Here’s what I wrote before the 2016 Election:

Why Trump? The Presidency is 4 or maybe 8 Years; The Supreme Court is Forever
in which I am trying to understand why Pro-Lifers are voting for Trump. My Response.

Why Trump? The Argument from Balaam’s Ass
Some say, “we’re not voting for a Sunday School Teacher.” My Response.

Who Better to Fix Our Government?
Posted on September 8, 2020. “Who better to fix our broken government than one who has taken advantage of the government with campaign donations and exploiting tax loopholes?” My Response.

But, Hillary Clinton!
If we don’t elect Trump, Hillary Clinton will be president.
And Bill Clinton will be “First Lady.” My Response.