The past 12 months have proven that my worst fears about Trump were well founded — and that people who continue to support him are not worthy of being called my friends.
On December 25, 2016, I posted my first Daily Kos story, “Why Trump voters are not welcome in my house this holiday” explaining that my wife and I had cancelled our 20 year tradition of a “post-Christmas” party because I did not want to welcome Trump supporters into my house.
Now a year later, I was asked by several people to reflect on the past 12 months — and to state whether or not i now welcome Trump supporters Inside my house.
the answer is still NO.
As I noted 12 months ago, my objections to Trump supporters go far beyond political differences.In raising three boys, two of whom are now adults, my wife and I always tried to teach the right values. Perhaps the single thing I am proudest about is how many people tell us what a good job we’ve done raising our kids.
We’re not perfect parents, nor are we a perfect family. However, our home does have its own creed. It’s not spoken like the Boy Scout Oath (BTW, we have two Eagles and a third on the way), but we do try to live it every day.
In our home, we . . .To welcome anyone still supporting Donald Trump into our home would be a betrayal of those values. Donald Trump is an illegitimate President, birthed by a father of bigotry and a mother of fear. He is supported by a basketful of deplorables, nourished by a combination of ignorance, resentment, hate and lies — all of which were nurtured by a Russian conspiracy to wreck our Democracy.
- believe in Patriotism.
- require Honesty.
- revere Integrity.
- cherish Honor.
- demand Respect.
- treasure Dignity
- insist on Charity
How can any person with a decent moral compass continue to support a monster who:I am not so naive as to believe that I can totally avoid Trump supporters. I cannot close off my life from all people with whom I disagree, no matter the hypocrisy of their value systems.
- is a Traitor — since he apparently favors the well-being of Russia over America
- is a Liar — since starting on day one, the compulsive deceit has emanated from the White House (remember the inaugural attendance “alternative facts”?)
- is Corrupt — since he lines the pockets of his friends and supporters with tax cuts and friendly deregulation
- is Immoral — since the only value he adheres to is what’s in his own self-interest
- is a Bigot — since he treats people who are different with contempt, based simply on their nationality, creed or religion
- is a Buffoon — since he has debased the sacred dignity of the Presidency and the Oval Office
- is Greedy — since he places his own well-being above that of the less fortunate
I will continue work with them professionally in a business setting, and speak to them cordially in the streets and stores and schools. I cannot change their narrow-mindedness.
But my home is different. It is the one place where a set of core values can remain sacrosanct.
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