When I read about the chant this morning, I literally cried. I didn’t watch his rally because I figured I’ve seen it all before. His comment the other day of “go back to where you came from,” was racist. The U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission specifically cites the phrase as the type of language that could violate anti-discrimination employment laws.
For his packed house of rally-goers to pick up the chant enthusiastically demonstrates that Trump is taking our country to the brink of destruction. He manipulates his supporters to reach his ends. Trump comes alive when surrounded by his supporters and he takes cynical advantage of them to perpetuate his politics of hate.
Many politicians have been labeled “Machiavellian” over the years but Trump could have authored the book. Nothing is more important to him than winning -- or his perception of winning. No American ideal or tradition or even law is beyond his violating and leveraging to his ends.
Consider a few quotes from Machiavelli:
“It is better to be feared than loved.” (Listen up, Republicans in Congress)
“The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.” (His Cabinet members have the half-life of a gnat)
“If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his vengeance will not be feared.” (Pick anyone he's selected to be the target of his anger)
See what I mean?
Someone Machiavellian is defined as "sneaky, cunning and lacking a moral code."
See what I mean?
In modern psychology, Machiavellianism is the name of a personality trait characterized by “a duplicitous interpersonal style, a cynical disregard for morality, a lack of empathy and a focus on self-interest and personal gain.”
See what I mean?
It truly is imperative this man be defeated next year. Given a second term, we can see where our country is headed. At the moment, Trump has no fear because he pays no consequences – neither Republicans in Congress nor his base weaken their support no matter what he says. That soothes him. He probably could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and get away with it.
With another full term we all can see the destination he’s leading us to -- destruction of the greatest country the world has ever known.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has been right to avoid too much talk of impeachment or to allow articles of impeachment to be drawn. She knows that without bi-partisan support and the support of the American people, impeachment will fail.
Only the 2020 election can stop him.
The question is no longer “how low will Trump stoop,” the question is how long will this country allow him to trample on our values, traditions and laws?