Readers Write: Republican obstruction gave us Trump

The Island Now

With the election of Barack Obama to the presidency, I had so much hope that our country would become much more progressive. 

He was met with so many challenges after the presidency of George Bush. We had endured wars ostensibly motivated to affect regime change but actually to protect oil interests. 

There was little regard for the young men, many driven to enter the military because of few prospects in civilian life, and inadequate attention to them when they returned after hellish experiences. 

These wars were not paid for. At the same time corrupt economic ventures, resulting in astronomical job losses, confronted him. 

The Republican party, immediately upon his inauguration, plotted to refuse to cooperate with Obama, and succeeded in obstructing the passage of many constructive measures. 

In the case of health-care reform, the President’s signature plan was weakened by heavily lobbied health-care and pharmaceutical interests. Republicans failed to remedy the growth of economic inequality.

There is a sad irony in the anger and disappointment engendered by the Republican disinterest in education and infrastructure. Job development programs languished, but somehow the economy recovered while the suffering middle class saw little improvement in sources of better paid jobs, unemployment among college graduates, huge tuition debt, and delays in admitting that climate change demanded a larger commitment to the use of renewable sources of energy.

So many citizens are fearful about the future for themselves and their children, and are justifiably angry. 

But we cannot anticipate faster improvement if Republicans regain power, and voters have been irrationally led into spurious claims that America can be great again if Trump is elected president. 

His campaign has been marked by appeals to the basest instincts. He has neither the temperament, character or knowledge to lead this country and face the complexities of dealing with the rest of the world. In my opinion he is a vulgarian, a pathological liar and narcissist. He derides his opponents in the coarsest language. 

He spouts misogyny, racism, physical damage to any protestors, hatred, sexism, insults, xenophobia. When asked whom he plans to consult for advice and information, he has announced that the first person he consults is himself. 

He repeats himself with generalities without any sign of plans he will implement. 

When asked when he will present his financial information, he lies when he says he cannot until audits are completed. No rule regarding this excuse exists. 

Obviously that information would reveal the extent of his claims. 

Evidence of his business failures is available on the internet. He has not built anything in several years because he cannot borrow money. 

Many of his ventures have been driven into the ground, pocketing millions while investors lost millions. His income now is from “The Celebrity Apprentice” and by licensing his name.

He continually vilifies the press. 

Actually, the press deserves some disdain and they have not lived up to their responsibility to inform fairly. 

They have been very slow to act as investigators; they have given him undeserved attention because of higher ratings and more ad money.

I need not dwell on the abysmal exhibition of a motley crew of Republican aspirants whose platforms offered very little. 

Unfortunately, strong opposition has been late. Indeed they failed to respond quickly; inane and toothless. It is very sad that his supporters have failed to see through him and his shenanigans. The real conservatives have not risen to the challenge to offer real conservative thought. 

I do not agree with what conservatives have wrought for many years, but there is room for intelligent discussion by the opposition.

Esther Confino

New Hyde Park

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