A Republican Perspective on Donald Trump
I am tired
As a 30-year Republican, I will not vote for Donald Trump because I value the following:
Fiscal Responsibility and Small Government
Strong Defense of Americans and Rule of Law
Free Trade
Diplomacy and Statesmanship
Personal Responsibility and Accountability
As a Republican party, we have lost our way. I am tired of the drama, scandals, name calling, fake conspiracy theories, personal attacks on critics, and distractions from real problems like the state of our economy and our standing in the world.
These are the factors that prevent me from voting for Trump.
Fiscal Responsibility and Small Government
Republicans claim that the US economy was “booming” while Trump was in office, but our debt grew by more than $8T during his term. Tax cuts accounted for about $1T per year, and COVID Relief Funding contributed too.
When managing our small company, we cut our expenses when they exceed revenue. Shouldn’t the government do the same? If not, sooner or later, we will either need to raise taxes or reduce government services (or both) to make ends meet.
Is the current Republican party really supportive of “small government” and trying to minimize government intervention? I do not see these values reflected when a local school board restricts access to books at our local elementary school or tries to control my daughter’s body through restricted access to IVF, contraception, and other kinds of health care.
Strong Defense of Americans and Rule of Law
I have been fortunate to live and work in the US, Europe, and Asia. The thing I appreciate most about the US is that we value diversity of people and thoughts.
I’m tired of the constant complaints about our military personnel, DOJ, and FBI – these are people who work hard for us!
I’m not aware that the Trump administration delivered on the promise of “Infrastructure Improvements”, especially as that promise related to roads, bridges, and/or Internet access, and this frustrates me.
Free Trade
Initially, I supported the Trump-driven tariffs on Chinese goods. Heavy-handed action was needed to address Intellectual Property (IP) protections and unfair requirements for foreign automakers in China, among other things. Unfortunately, Trump the “deal maker” has nothing to show for the trade war he started. His administration ensured that other countries were willing to support him, but he immediately hit the EU for tariffs and lost any semblance of a coalition to push back on China, the second largest economy in the world.
I’m concerned that the US implemented tariffs on the European Union (EU), Canada, and Mexico in June of 2018; 25% for steel and 10% for aluminum. (Was Trump trying to protect his metal producing friends?) And now Trump is proposing tariffs on goods from all countries if he is re-elected. Surely that will cause inflation to further rise in the US!
Diplomacy and Statesmanship
Our Republican party has made huge mistakes in this area. Our allies initially supported our tariffs on Chinese goods, but after we hit them with tariffs too, we lost that support.
When an administration says great things about Russia and North Korea, but disparages our allies, we definitely need to rethink our priorities. And I support the governments of Ukraine and Taiwan over the governments of Russia and China and wonder why this makes me somewhat unique within the Republican party; it just doesn’t make any sense to me.
Personal Responsibility and Accountability
Disclaimer: This section is based more on opinions than facts.
A leader does not deserve my respect when he will not accept criticism, continues to play the “victim card”, blames everyone for his “woes” (from the Media he berated even before he became President to Democrats or Republicans like myself), and does not allow dissent; especially when he is one of the “most powerful people in the world”.
Trump had the chance to step up to the plate and be a leader, but he did not do this. When things are not going well, a great leader needs the fortitude to step up, take responsibility, and say we will learn and improve.
And it is impossible to forget what happened on January 6, 2021.
Whether he wants to admit it or not, a President needs to serve all citizens; even when they didn’t vote for him.
A President’s primary job is to manage crises. Unfortunately, I have seen no evidence that President Trump could manage his way out of any significant crisis!
As Liz Cheney (a true conservative) recently said:
“We can survive bad policy; we cannot survive a President who torches the Constitution.”
Post submitted by Scott Zeigler, a volunteer with The Union who resides in Michigan
Note: The views and opinions expressed by volunteer contributors are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the positions of The Union, a single-issue organization that welcomes all and is dedicated to protecting democracy.
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This is amazing and incredibly well thought out. Loved reading your perspective & even as a life long Democrat, I can absolutely get on board with this thinking. I just wish there were more people willing to speak up & take the parties control back. Hang in there & keep up the good fight! :-)
Really good synopsis of what matters. Wish we could get this out among more people who have counted themselves Republicans and conservatives!