LETTER: How will Trump be remembered in history?
How will Trump be remembered in history?
Recently, America mourned the passing of former President George H.W. Bush as a person of integrity, kindness, wisdom, and respectability. Much has been said about his outstanding service to America throughout his lifetime. In fairness, it can be said if a person did much good and very little harm in a lifetime, that person should be remembered with reverence and respect. It can be accurately proclaimed that Bush was such a person. As our 41st president, he had no ambition of enriching himself through abuses of presidential power. As all presidents must do for the nation’s sake, he sought to keep America united, politically and socially. After his term of office was completed, he left the country in respectable condition. As history has recorded it, his service to the nation has been held in high regard.
Will we be able to read the history of Donald Trump’s presidency in a similarly favorable light? Or will his tenure of office be sullied by corruption, conspiracy with foreign governments, deceptive campaign statements, dishonesty, the fostering of social unrest, blatant misogyny, abuses of adults and children in desperate circumstances, bigotry and racism, demonizing immigrants without any substantial facts or proof, admiration of ruthless autocrats and murderous dictators, maliciously inciting political tribalism to the degradation of national unity, using childish name-calling and bullying, and especially, his willingness to abuse and ignore the Constitution’s mandates of presidential fidelity to the rule of law?
As I see it, Trump is shamefully mirroring the dastardly deeds of former President Richard Nixon so boldly and blatantly committed, when he desperately tried to conceal his illegal activities, by abusing investigative agencies, to cover up his gross misconduct and illegal deeds. When it is finally written, a fair question will be asked as to what public good did Trump render for the overall betterment of our country? So far, his slate is woefully tarnished. His attempts to destroy our democratic principles by abuses of presidential power, currying favor with America’s adversaries who endeavor to destroy all democracies, encouraging racial and ethnic fears and hatred, and diligently endeavoring to enrich his ill-gotten empire’s wealth are painfully obvious and have become evident at alarming rates.
I’d wager a small fortune that history will condemn him with all the contempt, derision, and disgrace he so richly has earned! Because of his bluster, braggadocious demeanor, ineptitude and deceit, Trump will fall into historical perdition when compared to true and patriotic Americans such as George H.W. Bush. Bush was the last president of the greatest generation with which America was so fortunate to have been blessed during our modern era.
Ronald J. Yamka
Canonsburg