I find the political climate of America these days sickening. I’ve been a political junkie since my Dad served in the House and Senate of the small state of Rhode Island. I remember the fundraisers and helping put up yard signs. I remember the guys that ran against Dad. I recall the mud-slinging, but I also remember my Dad reaching out to thank his opponent for a well-fought race, and his opponent congratulating Dad. Dad was a Republican in a densely populated Democratic state. His only real ally was Governor John Chafee, who later became the Secretary of the Navy under then-President Richard Nixon.
I also remember when Governor Chafee lost his seat as Governor of Rhode Island to his Democratic opponent, Frank Licht. Gov. Chafee invited my Dad to bring me by and meet him in his offices, and I was an instant fan of how he exited his position gracefully. I recall him telling me, as I sat in his office, “Chuckie, win or lose, the victory belongs to the man that keeps his cool.” Not terribly exciting words, unless you sat in his seat as he said them.
Those words are still true. Like it, love it, or hate it, Donald Trump won through the tried and true system of the American Electorate. Yes, I realize there are people afraid. Yes, I realize there are people that hate him. Yes, I realize that the popular vote wasn’t his. Yes, I know we all would appreciate him dropping the Twitter battles. But here’s the thing – Why do people that have never met him, hate him so much? He’s a bit of a bully, but other than Jimmy Carter, what other President in our lifetime wasn’t? Yes, he’s loud and boisterous. Yes, he’s unconventional. I get it. He may not be on your side of the aisle or agree with you on healthcare, the environment, immigration, or abortion.
People hate him because there is hate in their hearts. He’s not my favorite leader, either. But he won. He is in charge. Since I’ve never met him face-to-face, I’ll have to trust a very trusted friend that has spent a good bit of time with him. I’ll have to trust the kind of people he nominates for critical roles. I’ll have to trust that if the Divine wanted to stop his election and inauguration, He would have done so. Just like when my guy didn’t win in 2008 or 2012.
Anybody can sling trash and cast shade on someone from a distance, but why be anybody? Anybody can gripe and disagree with the President’s positions and decisions, but can they offer solutions other than march, shout, protest destroy property, and grumble? Apparently not. Has it occurred to anyone that some of the larger supporters of the losing side are now having their businesses destroyed and plundered, simply because some of the protesters do not even know what they are protesting?
My unasked for solution? Start in my heart. Get my heart in line with the Divine. Then work on my family, so as to align their hearts with the Divine. And then advance the cause of Jesus and act or react in love, and yet with urgency. This American political wasteland that we find ourselves in is only corrected by each of us working on our hearts. President Trump isn’t the answer, nor is he the problem – we are. Our selfish, sin-filled nature is at the heart of this season of turmoil.
Why do people hate Trump so much? I think it is based on the degree of hate residing within their hearts. If we were to get the Divine in the right priority in our life, we might decide to work together to fix America rather than fight with each other while she falls apart from division and bigotry. This isn’t about making America great again. This is about returning the Creator and Sustainer of life back to His rightful seat as Lord of all and the Savior of the World.
I asked earlier in my rant, but it’s worth asking again; Why be anybody?
Let’s Give God a Reason to Bless the United States,
AChuck
For the love of my sanity, AMEN!
Romans 13:1-5 Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God. So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have it’s approval. For government is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For government is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong. Therefore, you (all of us,we) must submit, not only because of wrath, but also because of your conscience.
Brother thank you for your word. Hate is not of God! Every person must change by allowing the change agent invade their lives. Thanks brother! You da man that knows Thee Man!!!!
Fear and insecurity in a government not of the people or for the people – manifesting itself as hate? Seeing blatant disregard for our constitution, discrimination and bigotry raise its ugly head, and bullying being praised and modeled by the leader of the free world- none of that should be expressed by hate. When is hate appropriate? Hate the deed not the person? Respectfullly I ask.
Well Said. We all need to pray for our leaders and their protection
Ok, I don’t agree with Trump’s political beliefs but that’s not why a lot of people are against Trump.
The main reason is the lack of Truth in his statements, that the sources of information he uses are often questionable and present only the information which agrees with his Agenda. Never should policy be made on hearsay and what was on the News.
As president he has access to probably more information than anyone on the planet and hence should be reading first hand accounts of what is happening, or at the very least having experts distill the information for him, rather than TV news which is designed to draw people in with sensationalist headlines – it’s how the News organisation makes money. An example of this was true only this weekend when Trump said look at what is happening in Sweden – but nothing was happening in Sweden – the Swedish checked and said nothing of note happened – instead Trump latched on to something which he heard/saw on the Fox News – rather than correct his error, he’s left it to his staff to try spin what he said.
If he could start presenting the Truth and Publically Admit when he was wrong rather than trying to spin it and claiming FAKE NEWS then he would have much more credibility and there would be alot less hate.
Finally whilst I respect you have your own religious beliefs, claiming that everyone should accept Trump and his policies because the Divine did not intervene to prevent it is, unfortunately ignores historical precedence – namely Adolf Hitler and his persectution of the Jews – at no point did the Divine intervene and prevent Hitler’s ascendance to power. It was the combined effort of the Allied forces that eventually brought Hitler’s regieme to an end.
Thanks for your thoughts. I never assumed that anybody or everybody should accept anything. Nor did I make any statements that any body should like him. But thanks for the thoughts. This side of Heaven, we will never understand why the Divine allowed/allows atrocities to occur and human suffering to exist. That’s why His ways are higher.
I also didn’t imply that he or his thoughts were on point or accurate. I simply stated that he was the POTUS, and we must accept that moving forward.
Thanks Again!
Hate is wrong. Love of country is real. When somebody jeopardizes so many of the fundamental parts of our country (love of country) like the constitution, tolerance, freedom of press, helping the disadvantaged (refugees), then the reaction comes deep from within. Hate is wrong. This reaction is different — fear and terror that your country is in jeopardy.
Thank you, Jason. Well said.