The current state of American politics has gotten meaner and meaner and the months ahead could produce real tragedies of biblical proportions.
But, the best way for me to express my concern is to address an open letter to Trump supporters, some of who have written to me objecting to my comments about the President.
Dear Trump voter, it is now a year since real estate tycoon Donald Trump was elected as the president of this wonderful country.
While I and others decried the voter’s choice he is the president and following past practices I always respect the office, if not the man.
I know that my comments will not in any way change your opinion about Mr. Trump. A friend of mine once bought a purple colored car, which I thought was ugly.
He defended his choice and I learned that you can’t make someone admit they were wrong.
There is no doubt that my thoughts will not make you burn your “Make America Great” cap or remove your barely visible bumper sticker.
However, I am asking that you give some thoughts to what has transpired in the past year.
The death of innocent people in Charlottesville shocked the world. It was a time for healing but there was no healer willing to step in and denounce violence.
The best the President could summon was that “there are good people on both sides.” Following that incident, we experienced demonstrations from ugly crowds holding Nazi flags and chanting anti-Semitic slogans.
The occupant of the White House had nothing to say about the groups who apparently have rejoiced at his election.
It is a strange state of affairs when the President’s wife Melania lectures children about the evils of bullying and at the same time watches her husband bully anyone who disagrees with him.
A few weeks ago I addressed a group of 16 year old school children at a Long Island public school. A handful of them defended the tweet attacks and even said that they agreed with some of the taunts.
Clearly, the meanness of Donald Trump has filtered down to the high school level.
My parents fled to this country in the 1920s to avoid Eastern Europe dictators who were a threat to their existence.
Over the years, they spoke vividly about the abuses their former friends and neighbors suffered. So I know that there is no such thing as a benevolent dictator.
Yet the President embraces every strong man in the world wherever he goes almost wishing he had the same dictatorial powers.
During all of my years on earth, one of my proudest moments has been traveling outside the United States and being thanked for being an American citizen.
During two recent trips abroad I was shocked at the insults I heard about an American president and realized that in less than one year the image of America throughout the world is in the toilet.
That deep decline in respect for this country is attributable to one man, Mr. Trump.
Sometime next April the vast majority of readers of this column will be filing their income tax returns.
It is at that point in time when the people of this state will realize the depth of the hostility that the President has for his fellow New Yorkers.
Donald Trump made his fortune thanks to a political system that bowed and bent to his wishes on each and every project that bears his name. Our reward for making him rich is now the equivalent of Gerald Ford’s “New York, Drop Dead.”
Good luck when you get the news from your accountant about your new tax liabilities and my condolences when your real estate broker tells you why you can’t sell your house.
This president wants legislation that he thinks will make his administration look like it is a great success.
We all know that the Republican Party power brokers in Washington just want their tax breaks for the rich and they will likely give Mr. Trump the middle finger, but for now they are partners to help him dismantle our local communities.
I could talk about racial insensitivities, decisions to destroy our environment, his support for Roy Moore and dozens of other mishaps by Mr. Trump.
I don’t believe in the adage that I told you so when we had candidate Trump.
But I am telling you now that it is a time to reflect on these 11 months and get ready for more disappointments from the man in the Oval office.
