I closed my last post by asking: at what point should our moral qualms about a politician's character outweigh our other reasons for lending them our support? Given the current environment, it's very hard to entertain this question as a matter of principle, without getting dragged down in partisan politics. To assist us in this endeavor, let's imagine, for just a moment, that Donald Trump is President ... and a Democrat.
Imagine that Donald Trump, the Democrat, defeated an unpopular Republican in the 2016 presidential election - for convenience, let's say Newt Gingrich. Imagine that President Trump (D) has a Congress controlled by Democrats, and is attempting to pursue an almost entirely blue political platform. Imagine he is nominating liberals to the Supreme Court, pursuing single-payer healthcare legislation, advocating for comprehensive immigration reform, and so on. Imagine, in short, that his Presidency seems to hold at least some slight promise of fulfilling a number of long-cherished Democratic dreams.
As you exercise your imagination, however, imagine that he is still Donald Trump - a liar, a swindler, a narcissist, a blowhard. Imagine that he has not released his tax returns, and there is no way of knowing how his business interests are shaping his conduct as President. Imagine that he has placed family members in key positions in the White House, positions with no external accountability. Imagine that he persistently undermines his own staff, dismays even those who are loyal to him, shows greater respect to Vladimir Putin than he does to our key allies around the world. Imagine that he cares and knows almost nothing about policies and governance. Imagine that when the legislative going gets tough in Congress, he is quick to shirk responsibility, and pin blame on other Democrats.
This may seem preposterous, but remember, Donald Trump long considered running for President with a "D" beside his name. He long supported single-payer healthcare, long indicated his willingness to support LGBT rights, and long embraced any number of positions which he has now abandoned. A hollow man, a man with no core principles, a man committed primarily to his own self-aggrandizement and self-enrichment, he could have developed a Democratic shtick, I'm sure. A talented salesman, he might have gone far with it.
So now, ask yourself again:at what point would your moral qualms about Donald Trump the Democrat cause you to withdraw your political support? I've been impressed by the many Republicans who refused to support Donald Trump, and at times I've wondered if I would have the moral courage to do the same, had I been in their shoes. Would you? On what moral ground would you make this decision, and where would you draw the line?
As you exercise your imagination, however, imagine that he is still Donald Trump - a liar, a swindler, a narcissist, a blowhard. Imagine that he has not released his tax returns, and there is no way of knowing how his business interests are shaping his conduct as President. Imagine that he has placed family members in key positions in the White House, positions with no external accountability. Imagine that he persistently undermines his own staff, dismays even those who are loyal to him, shows greater respect to Vladimir Putin than he does to our key allies around the world. Imagine that he cares and knows almost nothing about policies and governance. Imagine that when the legislative going gets tough in Congress, he is quick to shirk responsibility, and pin blame on other Democrats.
This may seem preposterous, but remember, Donald Trump long considered running for President with a "D" beside his name. He long supported single-payer healthcare, long indicated his willingness to support LGBT rights, and long embraced any number of positions which he has now abandoned. A hollow man, a man with no core principles, a man committed primarily to his own self-aggrandizement and self-enrichment, he could have developed a Democratic shtick, I'm sure. A talented salesman, he might have gone far with it.
So now, ask yourself again:at what point would your moral qualms about Donald Trump the Democrat cause you to withdraw your political support? I've been impressed by the many Republicans who refused to support Donald Trump, and at times I've wondered if I would have the moral courage to do the same, had I been in their shoes. Would you? On what moral ground would you make this decision, and where would you draw the line?
UP NEXT: Why Morality Matters
Comments
Post a Comment