That's a straw man, of course; no one on this board is suggesting that moral character isn't important, in our leaders or in ourselves.
Jazzy, you cannot prove that by the posts you read here from the rabid Trump folks. In fact we have been told point-blank that moral character and principles are losers.
Many of us voted for Trump with nose clenched; this was a pragmatic vote given the alternative of Hillary Clinton who (as far as I am concerned) has less moral character than Trump.
Jazz, I don't care if you voted for Trump or not. My issue stems from the finger pokes in the eye and the assertions from the Trump bunch that we are Hillary supporters and domestic enemies if we do not support their prince.
Pragmatism is not a sin;
In itself no. But using it as an excuse to push for a person simply because you think they can win power for power's sake - I do think crosses that line. At minimum, it is a sin for liberty to choose people of debased character and trust that they are going to uphold the principles you are governed by and serve their office instead of themselves.
He's governed in many respects like a mainstream Republican, and I'm fine with that. And, yeah, I appreciate, like RIV and Mesaclone, that he fights. It has made a huge difference in our foreign policy.
That's all good and fine. I have no problem with folks that like Trump's way of shaming the media and doing the things that they think he is accomplishing. My problem is that when we dare to disagree with those assertions - we're the enemy.
To me the issue is a lot deeper than Trump.
As for his character flaws, his sexual dalliances are a matter between him and his wife.
See? I do not understand that kind of thinking at all. How can you trust a man to uphold the vows of the office of the Presidency, when he demonstrated that he cannot uphold his own vows to his wife? If someone is faithful in little, they will be faithful in much. When someone is untrustworthy in little, they are untrustworthy with all. And, it is not just Trump's multiple marriages either that soured any chance of getting our support. He was all over the map on issues - but more aligned with the Democrat Left in policy and support most of his life.
He egotism, megalomania and inability to absorb criticism without lashing out have always been the flaws that concern me most. I thought the Presidency would cause him to grow up, but it hasn't.
That's my whole point above. Why would you make such an assumption when a person demonstrates they do not have that kind of character?
So right now, I'm in the middle between the Trump supporters and the NTs - I can see and appreciate the good that he's done, and the new hope he has given to the working class.
I can respect that opinion. What I cannot respect is that we are not afforded the same grace by the rabid faithful. On one hand we were told we may not publicly kudos Trump because we are not devoted loyalists and do not deserve to "ride his coattails" in the winner's circle, and on the other any criticism is equated with being enemies of the nation.
But I will almost certainly support someone else in the GOP primary, and hope that he sees the wisdom, and appreciates the liberation, in being a one-term President. He's shook things up, he's made a profound difference, but I'd love to see him announce in advance of the mid-terms that he will pass the baton to someone else.
There is always wishful thinking. To me, the problem is not Trump. Trump is just the consequences of a people and party who are unmoored from the foundations they once paid lip service to. I think the candidates for high office are going to wax worse and worse and worse as time goes on.
