A Day I Cannot Celebrate: Inauguration Day, 2017

A Day I Cannot Celebrate: Inauguration Day, 2017 January 20, 2017

A Day I Cannot Celebrate: Inauguration Day, 2017

Today, Donald Trump will be inaugurated as the 45th president of the United States of America. I have revealed here before my feelings about him and his presidency. I will not be watching any of the inauguration or celebrating it. For me it is a truly frightening turning point in American history and possibly world history. I will turn on my television and leave it on all day on channels not showing the inauguration as a protest.

In my considered opinion, Trump is the least qualified person ever elected to the highest office in our land and to the concomitant position of being the most powerful man in the world.

It’s not just that I don’t like him personally or consider him unqualified or a jerk.

My reason for being so dismayed by his ascendency to national leadership is this: I cannot detect in him any concern or compassion for the weakest, the most vulnerable, the disenfranchised, the marginalized of America.

Let me put it this way. Most presidential candidates are asked by someone who is their favorite philosopher or theologian. I think that if Trump were to be honest he would have to say “Ayn Rand.” Now, of course I do not know whether Trump has read Rand, but I’m convinced that her philosophy (called “objectivism”) has influenced him—even if he doesn’t know it. Or, at the very least, it seems to me his life and worldview is most consistent with hers.

People say “Give him a chance to govern; let’s see what he can do.” Well, what choice do I have? Of course I have to give him a chance, but I will be watching carefully to see whether he keeps any of his promises for promoting the common good or whether his presidency simply follows what seems to me to be his overriding interest—power. I am not hopeful.

*Sidebar: The opinions expressed here are my own (or those of the guest writer); I do not speak for any other person, group or organization; nor do I imply that the opinions expressed here reflect those of any other person, group or organization unless I say so specifically. Before commenting read the entire post and the “Note to commenters” at its end.*

Now, the only responses I am interested in reading are ones that seriously attempt to prove me right or wrong. I am not interested in and will not approve comments that are mere assertions. The same goes for those who agree; say something more than just “agree.”

I would love to be given hope for the next four years under Trump and his cabinet and the Republican-controlled Congress. Hope for what? Hope that the rich will not simply get richer and the poor poorer, hope that women, people of color, sexual minorities, the chronically under employed, adherents of marginal religions, will not simply be trampled on, ignored and forgotten. Hope that America will not just become stronger but more fair, compassionate and just.

But mere assertions will not help; if you decide to offer me such hope please be sure to give some supporting facts (and do not post a hyperlink). Specifically, what I am looking for are specific, dateable, documented quotes by Trump or someone very close to him who will have influence in his administration that express real, believable concern and compassion for the poor, the hungry, women, people of color, special needs children, American Muslims, the chronically ill desperately needing medical help they cannot afford on their own, the disabled, the mentally ill, those millions of Americans who have long been pushed aside and ignored by the majority of the powerful (the “one percent”).

*Note to commenters: This blog is not a discussion board; please respond with a question or comment solely to me. If you do not share my evangelical Christian perspective (very broadly defined), feel free to ask a question for clarification, but know that this is not a space for debating incommensurate perspectives/worldviews. In any case, know that there is no guarantee that your question or comment will be posted by the moderator or answered by the writer. If you hope for your question or comment to appear here and be answered or responded to, make sure it is civil, respectful, and “on topic.” Do not comment if you have not read the entire post and do not misrepresent what it says. Keep any comment (including questions) to minimal length; do not post essays, sermons or testimonies here. Do not post links to internet sites here. This is a space for expressions of the blogger’s (or guest writers’) opinions and constructive dialogue among evangelical Christians (very broadly defined).


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