The #NeverTrump Manifesto
The rise of Donald Trump as a legitimate presidential candidate in 2016 has been a truly frightening revelation for myself and millions of…
The rise of Donald Trump as a legitimate presidential candidate in 2016 has been a truly frightening revelation for myself and millions of sane Americans. More terrifying than the candidate himself is the knowledge that there are millions of fellow Americans who would willfully elect a man so obviously temperamentally volatile and devoid of knowledge and moral character to the highest office in the land. It feels like I imagine it would feel like to wake up during a cruise to discover that the ship has been taken over by rabid, feces-flinging baboons.
As frightening and confusing as such a situation would be at least you could jump overboard to escape the madness. Sadly, we can’t so easily escape Trump’s America.
In these times, the most we can do is present a case why we cannot and must not elect Donald Trump as President of the United States. I present my Anti-Trump Manifesto as follows:
Donald J. Trump is woefully unprepared for the office of President
It is quite apparent during his debate performances that he is flying by the seat of his pants. He doesn’t take the time to truly understand the serious issues facing the world. His understanding of domestic and foreign policy is superficial at best. When pressed to give details on any of his outlandish plans he is only able to give vague, hollow answers. He spends more time studying his poll numbers than actual issues that threaten our economy or national security.
Donald J. Trump is a flagrant liar
Fact checkers have found that Trump is a prolific liar. Of the statements he has made, an astounding 92% of them are on some level false: Donald Trump’s file. He lies with such apparent ease that he seems to inhabit each new version of the “truth” like a hermit crab taking to a new shell. He basically doesn’t even try to hide the fact that he is a flagrant liar anymore: The Donald Just Contradicted Himself — Literally Minutes Apart — And It’s Caught on Live TV…
Donald J. Trump is an authoritarian
Trump’s main appeal seems to be his projection of strength. It is this trait that carries him despite his blatant lack of knowledge on political issues and lack of experience. His supporters do not want a President, they want an Emperor. See: The One Weird Trait That Predicts Whether You’re a Trump Supporter.
Projected strength is the defining trait of any authoritarian leader. Trump tramples on free press and free speech, even going so far as to say he would rewrite laws to gag those who oppose him: Could Trump Actually Follow Through on His Promise to Open Up Libel Laws? This is a man who praises “strong leaders” like Putin, Kim Jong-Un and Mussolini. He slept with a copy of ‘Mein Kampf’ by his bed. He openly mocks and derides opposing voices. He asks his supporters to pledge allegiance to HIM.
Donald J. Trump is volatile
No one knows where Trump will stand on an issue day-to-day. He is also prone to snap on a person the moment they criticize him or make him look foolish. Could you imagine a sitting President going on Twitter tirades against Putin?
“Little Putin, you think you are a strong man? Weak loser. Look how many nukes I have. Sad!”
We would wake up every day fearful of a new firestorm started by the President. Trump and his supporters seem to think volatility is a good trait, but its never good when national security and economic stability can be thrown into a tailspin because the President got mad and spouted nonsense on Twitter.
Donald J. Trump is not a serious candidate
I wholeheartedly believe that Trump began his campaign with no intentions of actually winning the nomination. He was likely just trying to get some free publicity for his insatiable ego when he struck a nerve with his “build a wall” rhetoric. His ego wouldn’t let him stop, so he just kept saying everything and anything that would cater to that crowd. His lack of seriousness during this campaign is made apparent by the fact that his positions shift constantly, sometimes within minutes of each other. He also makes claims that are not only impractical, but sometimes even illegal such as his proclamation that he would force the military to commit war crimes.
Donald J. Trump does not care about the welfare of the nation or its citizens
Trump only cares about one thing: himself. This is something that has somehow eluded the fervent Trump supporters, but they will witness it first hand once they have served their usefulness. His main concern is “winning the election”, not “serving the people” or “leading the country”. For this reason, he constantly references his poll numbers and how he is beating so and so in one primary or another. It’s all about winning for The Donald. I don’t even think he would know what to do next if he ever did win the election.
Donald J. Trump has built his campaign upon xenophobia and white nationalism
In his quest to “win”, Trump caters to the worst in us. His campaign feeds off the fear of the “other”. Fear of Mexicans taking our jobs or raping our women. Fear of Chinese ripping us off. Fear of Muslims blowing us up. This fear-based rhetoric is primarily targeted toward angry, white working class Americans who are looking for someone to blame for their sorry lot in life. Trump makes them feel important again. “Make America Great Again” is really just code for “Make America 1968 Again”
The fact that a man like Trump could be so successful during a run for President means that we are surrounded by millions of people so ill-informed and/or nihilistic that they are willing to put the equivalent of a pro wrestler in charge of the safety, liberty and economic stability of the entire country. That fact is perhaps even more frightening than Donald Trump being President.
Long after Trump is defeated and falls out of public consciousness these same dangerously ignorant citizens will still be walking amongst us influencing policy and decisions across the country. They will be lying in wait like a latent virus waiting for the next authoritarian figure to appear. But next time perhaps the fascist candidate will be a little more polished, a little more knowledgeable and statesman-like… and complete the dissolution of American Democracy that Candidate Trump began.
Most of all, I oppose Donald Trump because he has opened up a Pandora’s Box that has put America on the brink of authoritarianism and fascism for the first time in my lifetime.
Originally published at www.quora.com.