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Trump is dangerously unqualified to be president

To the editor:

If you support Republican policies, then support Republicans for Congress who can actually get policies passed and justices approved. But do not vote for Trump: By his own words and actions he has shown how unprepared he is in knowledge, experience and attitude to fill the office of president.

Knowledge: Unlike a dictator or a rich businessman, the president actually has limited power in most areas. According to Article 2 of the U.S. Constitution, Donald Trump cannot, without the approval of at least a majority of one or both houses of Congress, make a single change in the tax structure or the immigration laws, build a wall, force a foreign nation to act as he chooses, or put Hillary or anyone else in jail (a power of the courts). Yet Trump talks as if he alone can accomplish all these things without the support of anyone else.

Experience: In reading and listening to life events of both candidates, it seems that Donald lives and speaks only about his huge success in business. He presents the goal as making money for himself and using the laws that exist to his benefit. He is also a success as an entertainer. In both of these roles, the focus is on doing what is good and in gaining attention for himself. He may create jobs or end jobs (as in closing business) not by what benefits the workers but by what benefits the bottom line. When has Trump ever worked in a position where the needs of others takes a priority over the making of profit? With his background perhaps he could be a great financial adviser to government but this is a very narrow background for the job of president. A simple look at the Cabinet positions shows that the president’s executive duties include the areas such as agriculture, education, energy, health and human services, homeland security, housing and urban development and justice. Not only does he lack experience in these areas, but as shown in his campaign, Donald is not willing to listen to or take advice from experts he himself has appointed.

Attitude: While many presidential powers are limited, the president is commander in chief and as such may for a time deploy our military and use nuclear weapons. The president is also our chief diplomat, representing us to foreign dignitaries. In this campaign, Trump has demonstrated himself to be a person who jumps to conclusions (as in calling the Florida nightclub shooting terrorism before anything was determined) and lashes out immediately and publicly when anyone challenges him. Like it or not, Republicans in office do not have to support him and burning those bridges is foolish when those are the votes needed by a president to pass any laws. If the system was not “rigged” when you were making millions and were winning the election, it makes you look as foolish as a young child to proclaim it “rigged” only when beginning to lose in the polls. At this point, the claims of the women against his assaults are that – allegations – but his response is frightening: calling them names, talking about it constantly yet complaining that the media will discuss nothing else, blaming the Clintons although the original leak was not from their campaign, offering no proof, just vague conspiracy theories that hearken back to American history and the Red Scare or even to foreign nations we refer to as “undemocratic.” If he cannot take the humor of “Saturday Night Live” as a candidate, how will he lash back at those groups or nations that criticize him as president? This lack of “cool” and contemplation is not really “telling it like it is”; it is down right scary and dangerous.

When we hire anyone, such as an electrician to do a job, we want someone with the knowledge, experience and attitude to get it done. Donald Trump lacks all of these for the job of president. All four former presidents (two from each major party) who are indeed the only living experts at understanding the pressures and requirements of the job declare him lacking the temperament needed. And I am afraid that given his flaws and the limited but still powerful position of president, like an unqualified electrician, Donald Trump could just burn down the house with us in it. Hillary, in my opinion, has many flaws. But she does have experience and knowledge to do the job. She needs to improve the attitude and move toward honesty and transparency, but she will think before she acts and listen to experts (maybe even Republicans) and protect the house in which we all live.

Note: These are simply my opinions based in part on the study and teaching of history and government and psychology for over 30 years in Mifflin County.

Nancy Norton

Downingtown

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